EMPRO CLASSIC PRO
The day of the EMPRO PRO SHOW dawns, and differences from Saturday’s amateur event begin to emerge. The most obvious is the incredible expectation this event has generated, reflected in the packed crowd. Hours before the doors opened, hundreds of fans who were lucky enough to secure a ticket gathered outside. The endless line of people even stretched outside the venue. It’s difficult to see a bodybuilding event these days that inspires such a large crowd of enthusiasts, but Emilio Martínez perfectly understands the ingredients needed to create a show that attracts both competitors and their fans.
While the number of fans increases outside, inside, even the smallest details are being reviewed. The team performs multiple tasks that the public never sees, but which are essential for each event to excel in spectacularity, without losing an ounce of professionalism. Preparations for a competition of this type begin months in advance, but the slightest mistake can diminish an increasingly high standard of quality. Emilio Martínez strives to ensure that everything planned comes to fruition on competition day, ensuring that those present have an unforgettable experience.
The premier category, Men’s Bodybuilding, features ten professional competitors of different nationalities (Spain, Brazil, Germany, Croatia, Italy, Poland, and Slovakia). In the weeks leading up to the event, social media and specialized media generated a wealth of content surrounding the potential winner of the EMPRO PRO SHOW. However, once they step onto the stage, the training system used doesn’t matter, the diet followed doesn’t count, the controversy, the number of followers, or the desire to compete at the Olympia doesn’t count. It’s time to prove you’re the best, here and now.
Only what happens in the few minutes in front of the judges counts. The past disappears, the future is uncertain, and only the present moment exists, this moment in this place. It’s part of the magic of competitive bodybuilding.
What begins to unfold in VB Spaces is absolutely impossible to convey with words or images. When a mass of people vibrate together in such a way, the atmosphere is charged with an energy that makes it difficult to control one’s emotions. The music shakes the ground and fills the fans with euphoria, cheering on their favorite athlete as if it were an epic battle. The professionals perform, showing the results of their hard work, but knowing that an invitation to the Olympia is only earned here and now, in these moments that will remain etched in the memories of those present.
The morning is coming to an end, and predictions are starting to swirl in the minds of all fans. The break until the finals is a great time to recharge, visit the shopping area, discuss the events, and even get a haircut to the beat of a DJ.
Here and now ends the EMPRO PRO SHOW 2023. An event that has exceeded all expectations. The winners have already etched their names in the memory of this competition. It’s time to reflect on what happened and relive it in their minds. The audience leaves the room while some competitors ask the judges for feedback, who greet them with the same smiles they had at the beginning of the event.
Outside, it’s surprising to see how some athletes, after a tough competition, strike poses and take photos with loyal fans who will always support them regardless of the result. Events like this demonstrate that a new wave of fitness and bodybuilding enthusiasts are coming, eager to emulate their idols and match their feats.
The empty rooms remind us of the fleeting nature of time. Right now, the EMPRO CLASSIC 2023 is just a memory, but an indelible one that will surely mark the destiny of many competitors and fans.
Emilio Martínez can feel very proud of the success of the show that represents his brand. His personal touch, his way of doing things, has once again set the bar high, perhaps more than ever. But those who know him know that in his mind, the end of an event means nothing more than the beginning of preparation for the next.
Sometimes a photograph can capture a moment in time and even make us relive a multitude of emotions. But if we bring together several images according to a narrative, we can build a more complex story, full of nuances and even small stories within the main narrative. Thank you, Emilio Martínez, for allowing me to capture, through my eyes, the magic hidden behind these events.
Alberto Durán
Photographer & Storyteller