Mary Lado returns with a bang by winning the Jacksonville Pro
by Allan Donnelly
August 4, 2008
FLEXONLINE.COM
Photos courtesy of Mark Mason
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.
Check out the individual galleries from the Jacksonville Pro Figure Championships below.
