(Pictured (L-R) Larissa Reis, Alicia Harris and Nichole Wilkins.)
Team Universe was universal hit! The number of competitors was fantastic, and the competition was fierce. There were 26 IFBB Pro figure competitors with Nichole Wilkins walking away with a win over the recent IFBB Atlantic City Pro Champion, Larissa Reis. Alicia Harris rounded out the final competitor qualified for the 2009 Olympia to take place in Las Vegas next weekend, September 25-26.
The three weight classes for women’s bodybuilding brought 30 competitors to the Big Apple to battle it out for a single pro card up for grabs. Michele Pome, heavyweight, won the overall and is the newest addition to represent women’s bodybuilding in the IFBB.
The fitness division also rounded out at 30 competitors, and with that, brought 60 minutes of high-flying routines full of energy and strength! Six girls walked away with an IFBB upgrade. Kayde Puckett (pictured right) receiving top honors, but the stage was full of winners.
There were 137 women who entered the open figure competition, and they were divided up into six height groups…the judges had a lot of work on there hands but successfully awarded 12 girls with their dream of earning rights to the IFBB ranks and Monica 
Mark-Escalante (pictured below) as the overall champion. The Masters figure hosted 51 women who each defied their age.
The new bikini division has created a quick following and quite the stir of interest and competitors. The first year brought 52 women to the Team Universe stage and added 12 women to the dawn of the IFBB Professional Bikini ranks. Missy Coles became the first overall Team Universe bikini champion.