The Biggest Loser

There's no squabbling among judges on The Biggest Loser. No controversy over who gets eliminated each week and who goes on to collect the $250,000 grand prize at the end of the season because there is no voting.

There is simply the scale, the numbers it reads and the resulting eliminations. Therefore, we can't debate the merits of the "Battle of the Ages" winner, can just offer our congratulations to...

... John Rhode!

This 41-year old special education teacher and football coach from Mesa, Arizona dropped 220 pounds throughout the competition. That adds up to 49.44% of his initial weigh-in body weight of 445 pounds and, to put it mildly, is truly astounding.

A job very well done, John!

Anna Kournikova lasted about as long on The Biggest Loser as a guy would last in bed with this beaut... nevermind.

The point is: Kournikova will not be returning for a second season of the weight loss competition.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the former tennis player was a "nightmare," often clashing with contestants and never relating to their struggles.

Kournikova's rep, of course, denies that his client was fired, while the blonde bombshell has released the following statement:

"I enjoyed my time on the Biggest Loser ranch. Although I will not be returning as a full time trainer on season 13, I will always be a part of The Biggest Loser family and my commitment to bettering lives through health and fitness will continue."

[Photo: WENN.com]

Sam Poueu has taken a major step in his recovery from an early September fall.

About nine weeks after plummeting four stories off a San Francisco building, the former Biggest Loser contestant has been moved to a rehab facility.

"His recovery has been nothing short of a miracle. He has been blessed with a wonderful medical team," said Poueu's family and his fiancée, Stephanie Anderson, in a statement to People. "Witnessing his daily progress is the most hopeful and inspirational experience. Tough days are still ahead - but, like always, he is working hard toward a full recovery. We are thankful for your continued thoughts, prayers and support."

For the first time, the 25-year old reality star issued his own statement, as well:

"Words can't express how grateful I am for all the love, support and prayers I've received in the past six weeks, all of which have been instrumental in my healing and recovery process, and in keeping my spirits up."

Sam Poueu has undergone three surgeries since his fall off a friend's fire escape on September 3.

But the family of this former Biggest Loser contestant has issued a statement that says Poueu is recovering as well as can be expected.

"We are excited to share that Sam is out of ICU and is currently in stable condition. He still has a long road of recovery ahead of him, but we are so encouraged by the progress he continues to make daily... He is talking and visiting with family members and close friends who come to see him in the hospital and is so grateful, as are we, for all the love, support and prayers he has received."

Poueu is engaged to another past competitor on The Biggest Loser, Stephanie Anderson, and had been working as a trainer at that show's Fitness Ridge Resort in Malibu.

On September 3, Sam Poueu was rushed to the hospital after sustaining serious injuries in a dangerous fall. But what actually happened to the former Biggest Loser contestant was a mystery.

Until now.

Poueu's family has released a statement to People that says the accident took place at a birthday celebration in San Francisco. The former reality star was stuck on a rooftop after a door locked behind him and...

He "attempted to climb down the fire escape ladder to drop down into the fourth floor balcony and slipped. The San Francisco Fire Department responded within minutes thanks to a neighbor's immediate call."

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Sam Poueu has a new challenge in front of him.

The former Biggest Loser contestant, who dropped 126 pounds throughout season nine of this NBC competition, reportedly fell several stories off a building on September 3. As a result, he's in critical condition at a San Francisco hospital.

The reason for the accident is unclear, but Poueu suffered a pelvic injury, torn ligaments, a punctured lung and a broken leg.

He's getting better, though, according to Sam's cousin Koli Palu, another former contestant on the reality show, who provided this update on September 5:

“Sam Poueu has made serious improvement in the last few hours. He has become very responsive to [fiancee] Stephanie Anderson and his Mother, squeezing their hands and kicking his feet. The head trauma has pretty much stabilized. He still has a long way to go but thank you so much for your love and prayers.””

If you missed it, Olivia Ward won The Biggest Loser last night.

She and her sister, fellow finalist Hannah Curlee, had already won big before the final results were even unveiled. The combined weight they lost is nearly what Olivia alone weighed at the start of The Biggest Loser’s 11th season!

In an interview with OK!, the ladies discussed their journey.

Tipping the scales at 261 pounds, Olivia, a married  opera singer, had been told by her doctor that she might never bear children if she didn’t change her life.

That was enough to spur her into action.

She went on the weight-loss show and did just that with Hannah (who, by age 32, had ballooned to 248 pounds) by her side, dropping half her body weight!

Not only did that earn her a $250,000 prize and bragging rights, but something all the more important - self-respect, and the feeling that she's in control.

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Hines Ward was named the Dancing With the Stars winner Tuesday night.

Olivia Ward, no relation, was also a big winner - on The Biggest Loser!

Although they started this season of the NBC show as an under-the-radar twosome, sisters Ward (second from left, below) and Hannah Curlee became breakout stars following a sensational run during the trip to New Zealand earlier this year.

All her hard work paid off last night!

Also in the final four ahead of the finale were Irene Alvarado and Jay Jacobs, who vied for America's vote and the right to compete for the ultimate prize.

Joining Hannah and Olivia in an all-female final three was Irene, who became a best buddy to the Purple Team during the season. Among them, a winner emerged.

After an incredible 129-lb. weight loss over a span of eight months, New York City opera singer Olivia Ward was crowned Season 11's Biggest Loser.

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Anna Kournikova knows plenty about losing: the gorgeous former tennis star has never actually won a professional tournament.

Combine that fact with her killer body and the blonde bombshell fits in perfectly with The Biggest Loser, doesn't she?

According to various sources, Kournikova will join new trainers Cara Castronuova and Brett Hoebel on the series next season, as Jillian Michaels exits the competition in order to focus on a family.

X17 reports that NBC will make this announcement following tomorrow night's season finale. The Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover model has been dating Enrique Iglesias since 2001.

Think she makes a solid choice for The Biggest Loser?

[Photo: WENN.com]

For Patrick House, it's never felt so good to be such a big loser.

This 28-year old Vicksburg, Mississippi resident came out on top of this NBC reality competition on last night's finale, defeating Frado Dinten in the final weigh-in by dropping an incredible 181 pounds.

As confetti dropped all around him, House was embraced by family members and viewers were left to marvel over the fact that he lost 45.25 percent of his body weight at the start of the season.

An unemployed former salesman, The Biggest Loser winner said that winning the series "gives me freedom." And it also gives him money. House earned $250,000 for the accomplishment.