After dropping to 10th place at the 2007 Figure Olympia one of the sport's biggest names, Mary Lado, decided it was time to step away from the stage for a much-needed break. On Saturday, a fully-rested Lado showed just how dangerous she can be by showing up in top form and winning the Jacksonville Pro Figure Championships.
"I feel good," Lado said after notching the fourth professional win of her career. "I think brought my legs down like I needed to - in past years they were a little bit overdeveloped. I don't think I come in very hard, so I was just gonna try to come in at my best. I'm motivated now to start training again for the Olympia."
Lado, a two-time Figure International winner from 2006-2007, fell to 10th at last year's Olympia. The combination of that finish plus an influx of new pros led some to believe that Lado's best days were behind her. But Lado put those rumors to rest in Jacksonville, and now heads into the Olympia with considerable momentum.
"I think it may help," Lado said. "I think they saw that I actually tried to work on what my faults were and bring something different to the stage, so I'm hoping it helps come Olympia!"
Lado wasn't the only one in Jacksonville who used time away from the stage to her advantage. Jessica Paxson-Putnam, competing for the first time in over a year, placed second to qualify for her second Figure Olympia.
JACKSONVILLE PRO FIGURE
FINAL RESULTS
1. Mary Lado
2. Jessica Paxson-Putnam
3. Kristal Richardson
4. Krissy Chin
5. Jane Awad
6. Kristi Tauti
7. Elisha Archibald
8. Marcy Porter
9. Allison Williams
10, Kristen Gomes
11. Andrea Dumon
12. Jessica Lyons
13. Claire Parmley
14. Melissa Montanero
15. Melissa Pearo
16. Tivisay Briceno
17. Christine Wan
18. Tessa Wood
18. Irina Veselova
18. Stephanie Togrul-Tulin
18. Lauren Sutter
18. Amy Stephens
18. Thais Cabrices
18. Larissa Reis
18.Becky Clauson
18.Sherman Tergo
18. Petra Mertl
18. Patricia Mello
18. Susanne Niederhauser
by Allan Donnelly
JACKSONVILLE PRO FIGURE PHOTOS AND RESULTS - Flex Online
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