Nicole Wilkins to Sit Out 2013 Figure International

Nicole Wilkins @ 2012 Figure International. She will sit out this contest in 2013, guaranteeing a new champion crowned.
Photo credit: Muscular Development

The Arnold list isn't out yet and won't be out for a good month or so, and already there's a major shake-up for one of the Arnold contest. Nicole Wilkins, the three-time and current Figure International champion, will sit out the 2013 Figure International show, putting on hold a possible record-breaking fourth Figure International title. Here's why Nicole decided to sit out the show next year, from her Facebook page:

For the past five years, the Monday after Thanksgiving always marks the first day of my prep for the Arnold Classic. But not this year - because, since 2008, I've decided to sit out the event. For the first time since I've been a pro, I'm going to give myself a longer offseason to make the improvements I feel are necessary to get my physique where I want it to be to hopefully win back the Figure Olympia title.  

For those of you who will be in Columbus, I will be too - just at the Met-Rx booth and not on stage. I'm sure it will be hard watching all of the other girls competing that weekend, but I know this is the right decision for me at this time. And I know I'll be back on the Arnold Classic Figure International stage in 2014 going for title No. 4! 

Thank you to Fitness Management Group (FMG), my trainer Kim Oddo and MET-Rx for supporting me with this decision. Here's to a great 2013!

This news is HUGE, as we will definitely be crowning one new champion at the Arnold next year. This no doubt makes the current Figure Olympia champion Erin Stern a odds-on favorite to win her first Figure International title. But then again, Candice Keene will be entering 2013 with a streak of her own after arguably the best year of her career. Ava Cowan is definitely one to consider in the Figure International title hunt, and quite possibly the fitness-turned-figure competitor Camala Rodriguez could shock the world and enter her first FIGURE International competition and emerge victorious.

It will definitely be interesting who will emerge at the new champion in 2013 whether it be those names mentioned above or someone else What will also be interesting to see is what kinds of improvements Nicole will make during her offseason. She can definitely bring it, as proved in 2011 at the Tournament of Champions when she wowed a lot of people with her lean and tight yet full and feminine physique, something most people didn't think was possible from Nicole. Imagine if she can pull that look off again.

Will we see a look similar to this from Nicole next year?
Photo credit: MuscleContest.com

We have full confidence when Nicole does return to the stage in 2013 (whether it be at the Olympia or sometime before), she will wow the audience again. We wish her best of luck in her offseason and on her road to regaining the Figure Olympia title in 2013! 

Nicole Wilkins: Why 2011 Was Her Defining Year in IFBB Figure

In 2009, Nicole Wilkins climbed to the top of the IFBB Figure division by winning the Figure Olympia title, the biggest championship in figure. Obviously, this was a major win for her and a big win for the new faces of the division, but WOW...she got some serious flack on some message boards, even the most polite ones. Obviously, she had her supporters but her detractors. I think the problem was for some was that her look was seemingly (at the time) too small and not hard enough for figure. Some feel there were physiques out there better than hers. That, and the previous champions (Davana Medina, Jenny Lynn, and Jennifer Gates) came in pretty conditioned (size varied between the three, though) From what I saw online, fans weren't exactly too thrilled with the outcome of the 2009 Figure Olympia competition.

Nicole @ 2009 Figure Olympia
Photo credit: Muscular Development

She made a bit of improvements since then trying to show others that she deserves to be at the top of the figure world. While the changes were there ever-so-slightly, and there were some willing to embrace it, the detractors still outweighed the supporters. But everyone has their defining moment, that one moment where everyone (those for and against you) stands up and takes notice. That moment came at the 2011 Tournament of Champions when Nicole stepped on stage. Most people though she would be the favorite to win, but no one, not even yours truly, expected her to come in the way she did that day. I had to take a double take to make sure the woman was indeed Nicole Wilkins.

The Nicole Wilkins that shut the detractors up. 2011 Tournament of Champions
Photo credit: MuscleContest

She clearly added significant size, definittion, and cutness to her physique. I honestly don't know how many pounds of muscle she added since her 2009 Figure Olympia win, but it was clear as day that it was a nice amount. Add to her posing, beauty, and structure, and you got the ultimate figure machine. Nicole might have not been the woman people wanted to be the face of IFBB Figure back in 2009, but that has changed big time now. I'm not saying everyone has suddenly become a fan of hers, but others are starting to see Nicole as a rightful champion. If she keeps this up in 2012 and beyond, Nicole might want to start making room for more medals and trophies. Just saying.

An improved Nicole @ 2011 Figure Olympia
Photo credit: FitnessRx

What are YOUR thoughts on Nicole Wilkins? Did you think 2011 was the year she proved herself? Do you like THIS Nicole better than the old one? Sound off in the comments below.