In 2020, I attended the Europe Pro. Even under the special circumstances due to Covid-19, the event’s success seemed to set a bar difficult to surpass. Difficult, but not impossible, because this year I once again enjoyed an exceptional spectacle, both in terms of organization and the number and quality of competitors. I’ll leave you with the story behind the images.
This time, the Europe Pro championship moves from the Alicante Trade Fair Institution (IFA) to the modern multi-venue “VB SPACES,” a location that allows for a greater audiovisual impact.
It’s a huge incentive for competitors to know that the top two places in each category receive direct entry to the Mr. Olympia. 18 direct entries are awarded to live a dream, and athletes in ten categories can also compete for their medals.
If holding such championships is already important at the European level, having them in Spain is a true luxury that seemed impossible not long ago.
Five categories are held during the morning, and by early morning, the hair and makeup team is already working, taking care of some competitors. The good weather in the area allows them to do so outside the building, near the booth area where the hair color is professionally applied.
Backstage, behind the stage, the MEN’S PHYSIQUE PRO and MEN’S CLASSIC PHYSIQUE PRO categories are warming up and putting the finishing touches on the dye job.
Some judges and the master of ceremonies are finalizing the details to ensure everything runs at the level expected of a PRO championship, but they aren’t the only ones. The music director begins the tests, the security team is taking up positions, the streaming cameras are ready, and the stores located in the entrance hall are finishing placing their products.
The MEN’S CLASSIC PHYSIQUE PRO is preparing to make its entrance at the side of the stage. There’s always a lot of interest in seeing how the Spanish athletes fare, but the level of competition among the professionals is extremely high, and taking the title is no easy feat. For example, in this category we have athletes from Brazil, Germany, Romania, Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Italy, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Iran.
FINALS
The time has come to find out who will fulfill their dream of stepping onto the Olympia stage.
The afternoon brings us five more categories:
WOMEN´S FITNESS PRO
WOMEN´S WELLNESS PRO
WOMEN´S BIKINI PRO
MEN´S 212 PRO
MEN´S BODYBUILDING PRO
Male bodybuilding enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the final two categories:
MEN´S 212 PRO
MEN´S BODYBUILDING PRO
An event of this magnitude is possible thanks to the support of IFBB PRO ITALY, IFBB PRO SPAIN, NPC WORLDWIDE, and the IFBB Professional League, in addition to an extraordinary team of people.
But there always has to be someone who doesn’t set limits on their dreams and fights for this sport.
Below, three photographs give me the answer to how it’s possible, in a still complicated health situation, to hold an event of this magnitude.
One person has managed to combine the respect and affection of competitors with the recognition of his own team and other promoters. Emilio Martínez has forged a special charisma through simplicity and hard work.
It’s proven that anything is possible with effort and vision. We just have to wait and be attentive to the new surprises that emerge from Emilio Martínez’s mind.
The complete results can be found on the NPCNEWSONLINE website.
Alberto Durán
Photographer & Storyteller