The moment after it happens, it will be a memory forever. For those who didn't experience it, the only way to understand what happened is to hear the stories told by those who enjoyed the moment. The story will depend on how each person experienced it. It will be different for competitors, coaches, judges, journalists, even for every fan in the audience. This is my story behind the images of the "EMPRO CLASSIC 2023."
The EMPRO CLASSIC weekend features two competitions. Saturday is for amateur athletes, and Sunday is a Professional Show. The event has become a benchmark in Europe. Its popularity has led more and more competitors to travel to Alicante to take another step toward their dream goal.
Both days, participants have great incentives to compete on stage. On Saturday, the goal is to earn a “Pro Card,” a card that entitles them to compete in the IFBB Professional League. On Sunday, at the professional show, the winner of their category receives an invitation to compete in the most coveted event, the “Olympia,” to be held in Orlando.
The EMPRO CLASSIC is closely linked to its creator, promoter Emilio Martínez. His experience as a bodybuilder, competitor, event organizer, and entrepreneur gives this competition a personal touch. Even though it is held at VB Spaces, the same venue as other events on the annual calendar, it takes on a completely authentic character. The excellent athlete service and the spectacle offered to the public are difficult to replicate.
On Friday, after the registration of athletes for the amateur event, the professionals begin to arrive. It’s time to get a sense of their fitness, or to see it clearly if they decide to show off some of their muscles, as a warning to the other competitors or as a gift to their fans.
A perfectly oiled machine makes registration seem simple, but it’s the result of years of experience and a passionate team.
The athletes submit their choreography music and receive a bib number, accreditation, and a certificate of participation. They will take the stage with the rest of their category, and those who wish to do so will be able to show off the weapons they will use on Sunday. Afterwards, they can book makeup, hairstyling, hair coloring, and photography services. Media outlets such as Salou TV are already beginning their reporting with the first interviews.
The professional competitors won’t take the stage until Sunday, but social media is starting to position themselves, trying to guess who will take home the ring and the invitation to the Olympia.
EMPRO CLASSIC PRO QUALIFIER
Participants in Saturday’s amateur event can feel like professionals for a day. Emilio Martínez has managed to raise the level of amateur competitions to such an extent that there’s almost no difference. They enjoy the same services, facilities, and, of course, the stage that the athletes of the professional league will step onto just a few hours later.
Let’s allow the images to draw us into this story of the EMPRO Classic, keeping in mind that not all the protagonists are present, but everyone captured in these memories painted with light was a protagonist.
The EMPRO CLASSIC Amateur season is coming to an end, and preparations are immediately underway for the professional show, which will begin in just a few hours and promises to be even more spectacular.
Alberto Durán
Photographer & Storyteller