Maria Bradley is big, but I notice that some physique contestants are bigger than the runner ups to her.
Yeah, the two categories are very weird right now. I don't know if the girls don't know which one to sign in or if because of the lack of clear rules or "size/weight" restrictions they try both.
At the amateur part of the Romania MF a lady won the Physique Overall and came second in her figure class.
Yes, in the qualifications (in particular), it is common for athletes to try 2 categories to try their luck.
Figure is supposed to be all about symmetry with some definition, but not dry, Physique is similar to figure, but more definition and dryness is allowed, but not at the level seen in Bodybulding, plus flexing is included unlike Figure, of course. Bodybuilding, much harder flexing, more definition allowed.
So you see Physique women who are too hard and marked down, they should have tried Bodybuilding. If no Bodybuilding, and they are too defined and dry, they may lose to softer looking women.
This contest was also different to IFBB posing rules! In the Bodybuilding contest, the women were asked for back lat spread, AND their favourite MOST MUSCULAR! Not just in Posedown, but in the comparisons round! Heaven.
I have to say, IFBB (NPC) Proleague is the place for serious athletes now. A return to REAL Female Bodybuilding, at last, not seen since the 1990's.
However, this may just be a local inclusion, it happens sometimes. The head judge may have forgotten he is judging the woman's competition. But it made for a super contest.