MS. INTERNATIONAL
What more can be said about Iris Kyle? At this point, Kyle isn’t only the most dominant competitor in the history of women’s bodybuilding – she very well may be the most dominant force the in the history of the IFBB. In the last nine years, Kyle has won eight overall Ms. Olympia titles (nine if you count her heavyweight win in 2001)and seven Ms. Internationals. And during most of those wins, no one else was even close.
Kyle has already won the most Arnold titles in history and is tied with Lenda Murray for the most Olympia wins. Even in a historical sense, it seems Kyle is now competing against only herself. But …
If there are any competitors who stand a chance to end Kyle’s historic reign atop the women’s bodybuilding division, it five-time Ms. International winner – and defending champion – Yaxeni Oriquen, and the ever-improving Debi Laszewski.
Despite her five wins here, however, Oriquen has experienced little success against Kyle in recent years. In fact, it’s been five years since she’s been able to come out ahead in that matchup. Laszewski, who turned pro in 2006, has placed outside the top five only once in 11 IFBB contests. Last year, she cemented her status as the undisputed No. 2 ranked competitor in the world with runner-up finishes at both the Ms. International and the Ms. Olympia.
Brigita Brezovac (6th at 2012 Ms. International) and Cathy LeFrancois (4th at 2012 Ms. International) should also be in contention.
IFBB Women’s Head Judge Sandy Williamson on …
Iris Kyle “Iris is the top contender again as long as she can come in the same condition she always does. I don’t think there is another competitor in any division – including the men – who consistently can come in as great condition as Iris can. She has shown that over the years. I haven’t ever seen anyone who has competed for the length of time she has and been as consistent.”
Debi Laszewski “Debbie really took a long time to become a pro, but she’s been at top of the game since getting her pro card. Her issue is she is just a little bit too thick in the waist. She has brought that down, to the point where she gave Iris a run for her money from the front at the Olympia. But from the back, she didn’t have near the detail Iris had.”
Yaxeni Oriquen “Yaxeni is always at the top of the game. But she’s such a tall girl that sometimes when she is off, she can come in a little bit too thin. Obviously many times she hits it right on, but if she doesn’t it’s usually one way or the other – she comes in too much on the soft side or a little thin and can look a little stringy.”
Brigita Brezovac “Brigita may even have a little too much muscle for her frame. She could come down a little bit in overall muscle and come in really good condition and do well. She has been top five consistently for the past couple of years and is another one who could definitely be a factor.”
Cathy LeFrancois Cathy was fourth here last year. She has nice lines but sometimes her conditioning is a little bit off and that ends up hurting her since she’s not quite as big muscularity-wise as the other girls. As long as she comes in condition she usually does very well.”
MS. INTERNATIONAL LINEUP
Brigita Brezovac
Kim Buck
Tazzie Colomb
Angela Debatin
Alevtina Goroshinskaya
Elena Kavva
Iris Kyle
Debi Laszewski
Cathy Lefrancois
Yaxeni Oriquen Garcia
Jeannie Paparone
Olga Puzanova
