Nicole Tovey enjoyed a top performance at the Arnold Classic in Ohio last weekend after finishing second in the bikini open class.

It marked an improvement on last year’s third-place finish, with Tovey also placing third in the open class to complete a memorable weekend at the annual sports festival at the Columbus Convention Centre.

“That’s a step up in each category from last year,” said the Australian.

“I feel I presented one of my best packages to date and I’m very happy, although naturally there’s a small element of disappointment at coming so close to the win and just missing it.”

Tovey missed out on the final of Arnold Classic Europe in Barcelona in October last year but had two podium finishes at the EVLS Prague in the Czech Republic — third in the bikini open and second in the masters — a week later.

She will now turn her attentions to the Australian Arnold Classic in Melbourne next week. It will be the first time she has competed at home.

Winning a pro card will again be Tovey’s chief objective and a slight relaxation of the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness rules have improved her chances.

“I get another opportunity in Australia,” added Tovey, who is a lawyer at Taylors in association with Walkers.

“It’s total focus on the last week of training, diet, and practising my posing so that I nail it every time and hit that Melbourne stage confidently!”

The 40-year-old will also be entering Australian Arnold Model Search, which includes an online photographic round before a live round showcasing fitness and evening wear.

Also competing at the Arnold Classic were fellow Bermuda team members Bernard Opoku and Sabrina Burgess.

Opoku came fourth in his height class in the men’s physique, while Burgess placed third in the body fitness/figure open class.