Olympia Amateur 2024 - Alberto Durán Photography

Lifting the Mr. Olympia trophy motivates many competitors to start a journey with the goal in Las Vegas. Winning a Mr. Olympia is more than just confirmation that you are one of the best athletes in the world, it is about becoming a legend. The first step to becoming one of the chosen ones is to get the "Pro card", which allows you to compete on the professional circuit and get one step closer to the Sandow trophy. For many, the road to the Olympia is accelerated by winning the amateur version. This is the story behind the images of the "Olympia Amateur Spain 2024".

I feel fortunate to have photographed the Olympia Amateur Spain in 2021, 2023 and 2024. For me, every Olympia Amateur is completely different. New athletes, great news and different stories. For the competitors, the goal is the same, but the choices on the route leading to it are infinite.

It has been great to live this journey, temporarily reduced to one weekend, which brought 27 people to enter the professional circuit of the IFBB PRO LEAGUE and get closer to the ultimate goal of the Mr. Olympia.

Friday is the registration day for the athletes. They go to VB Spaces (Alicante, Spain) to get accredited, pick up their number and hire the services they want and have not previously booked through the event’s website. Right there you will find professionals in photography, hairdressing, make-up or tanning who will be part of the route. You will also find a commercial area where you can do your shopping without the queues of visitors of the next few days.

The medals, rings and other trophies are presented on a stand.

Josué García welcomes the athletes. During the competition he will act as Stage Manager together with Crist Chatti.

After the weigh-in it is time to collect the accreditation, the number and the certificate of participation.

The Master of Sound, David Catena, stands next to the photographers (Jonathan Moriau and Andrés Soriano), in charge of immortalising the memories of the hard road to the Mr. Olympia.

Now that you have been accredited, it’s time to relax in the shopping area or take a portrait to remember the beginning of this adventure.

On Saturday and Sunday the activity in the tanning, hairdressing and make-up area starts early. The work in the zone where the TOPTAN competition dye is applied is spectacular.

On stage, before the spectators enter, the last team meetings are held.

A staircase connects the tanning area with the Backstage. The big new feature this year is the warm-up zone with Telju Fitness equipment. It allows athletes to warm up in a professional gym before stepping onto the stage. Only in the biggest competitions this service is available, which involves a huge deployment of resources. I’m fortunate that the walls are decorated with six of my competition pictures.

In another backstage area, with direct access to the outside, the competitors rest and receive the latest advice from their trainers. They also have a point to correct any problems with the dyeing. The Stage Managers are in charge of organising the categories and locating the athletes. Josué García’s work is spectacular, essential for everything to flow on the stage.

Just behind the stage there is an area that is only accessible to competitors who are about to take the stage. In the semi-darkness, Crist Chatti controls the starting order and manages the timing with extraordinary skill. Last moments to warm up or simply prepare mentally for the decisive moment.

There are only a few seconds left to go on stage and show themselves to the audience and the judges. They live these moments in very different ways. Some fight against their nerves, while others transmit the calmness of those who know that everything is already done and all that remains is to enjoy it. But for all of them it is a very special moment, the culmination of a long road of effort and self-improvement. They know that in a few minutes the next stages of their journey will be decided. 27 competitors will get closer to the Mr. Olympia and the rest will take a slightly longer detour with the same goal in mind.

Entering the stage is the first time under the spotlight on a spectacular stage. In fact, it is similar to the other professional competitions that take place there. Confidence, security, joy, pride, a thousand sensations seem to be expressed on the faces of the competitors.

It’s time to fight against others and also against oneself. For the audience in the hall and for those who prefer streaming, all the attention is focused on the competitors, with the team that makes the event possible going unnoticed.

Nelson Lopes is the master of ceremonies. He entertains the event and never loses his smile no matter how many hours he spends on the stage.

David Catena doesn’t let there be a second of musical rest. Having a professional disc jockey who knows the world of muscle is a real luxury. Party, spectacle and competition perfectly combined.

The team controls the pace on stage at all times and assists in the rapid positioning and movement of the competitors.

The deployment of graphic media is impressive. Jonathan Moriau is the photographer in charge of the images of the stage and Andrés Soriano immortalises the competitors in his professional studio next to the stage. Emilio Martínez Jr. is the videographer who captures the best memories in motion.

Family members and fans who are unable to attend the competition have access to a live streaming service. They can enjoy the competition from various angles and in 4K quality.

On this occasion the judges charged with the difficult task of selecting the best are Javi Sbert, Mª José Falcó, Teba Roldán and Roberto Tonon with Jack Sullivan as head judge. Martina Ferraresso is in charge of the statistics.

The time has come to show the work that has been done. The view for the audience is the perfect blend of sporting competition and spectacle. For the competitors, such a stage is the perfect finishing touch to their competitive experience.

– Women’s Figure Regional –

– Women’s Figure Open Class A –

– Vaquier Vanessa (45) –

– Women’s Figure Open Class C –

– Men’s Physique Regional –

– Men’s Physique Novice –

– Men’s Physique Open Class A –

– Hugo Fragua (99) –

– Michel Spica (109) –

– Men’s Physique Open Class C –

– Men’s Physique Open Class F –

– Abdulla Bu Omaira (113) –

– Estephany Nicole Bautista Fabara (231) –

– Meritxell Zaragoza (240) –

– Women’s Bikini True Novice –

– Women’s Bikini Masters 35+ B –

– Diana Schwarz (263) –

– Eliomena Chaudikua (265) –

– Kamila Pasciak (276) –

– Patricia Duarte (233) –

– Patrizia Santoriello (278) –

– Women’s Bikini Open Class C –

– Women’s Bikini Open Class D –

– Women’s Bikini Open Class E –

– Iulia Suciu (312) –

– Women’s Bikini Open Class F –

– Women’s Bikini Open Class H –

– Women’s Bikini Overall –

– Zlatomir Ivanov Nikolov (335) –

– Men’s Bodybuilding Regional –

– Pedro Redin Azcona (347) –

– Men’s Bodybuilding Open Middleweight –

– Men’s Bodybuilding Open Light Heavyweight –

– Sergio Costa (381) –

– Men’s Bodybuilding Open Heavyweight –

– Markus Fortenbacher (399) –

– Josep Campos (332) –

– Men’s Bodybuilding Open Super Heavyweight –

– Alex Prado (375) –

– Michael Sayig (391) –

– Andrew Scott (404) –

– Men’s Bodybuilding Open Super Heavyweight –

– Markus Fortenbacher (399) –

– Men’s Bodybuilding Overall –

– Men’s Classic Physique Regional –

– Cristian Alvarez Facal (177) –

– Haitam Saadia (165) –

– Carlos Arley Perea Rivas (96) –

– Men’s Classic Physique Open Class A –

– Men’s Classic Physique Open Class B –

– Adam Dietrich (180) –

– Camilo Filipovic (182) –

– Classic Physique Open Class C –

– Men’s Classic Physique Open Class C –

– Men’s Classic Physique Overall –

– Women’s Wellness Regional –

– Women’s Wellness Open Class A –

After the individual and comparative presentations, the athletes descend from the stage knowing that the die is cast. Moments of waiting to meet the finalists who will be closer to the dream of the Mr. Olympia.

– Women’s Figure Regional –

– Men’s Physique Open Class B –

– Men’s Physique Junior –

– Women’s Bikini Open Class H –

Parallel to what is happening on the stage, in the commercial area visitors can enjoy the latest in sports clothing and supplementation. Brands such as Brilliant Bikinies, Empro Wear, Bigman Energy, California Supplement or Emilio Cheatmeal among many others.

– Sackie is the guardian of the commercial zone –

The medal ceremony will soon follow. The moment when 27 athletes will get the Pro card. That passport to the professional division means working even harder for the ultimate goal. The winner of the Overall will get the championship ring and the belt. These are moments of great tension where emotions run high.

– Women’s Figure Regional –

– Women’s Figure Novice –

– Tatjana Quandt (31) –

– Women’s Figure Open Class B –

– Diana Petry (55) –

– Women’s Figure Open Class C –

– Women’s Figure Overall –

– Irene Donet Garcia (40) with Emilio Martinez –

– Men’s Physique Junior –

– Andy Herrera Oria Palma (83) –

– Men’s Physique Masters 35+ A –

– Men’s Physique Masters 35+ B –

– Salvatore Garau (91) –

– Sutharsan Uthayakumar (98) –

– Men’s Physique Open Class B –

– Men’s Physique Open Class D –

– Mauro Azzolina (134) –

– Men’s Physique Open Class F –

– Jack Sullivan hands over the Pro card to Mauro Azzolina (134) –

– Mauro Azzolina (134) –

– Mauro Azzolina (134) interviewed by Emilio Martinez –

– Women’s Bikini Regional –

– Women’s Bikini True Novice –

– Women’s Bikini Novice –

– Women’s Bikini Junior –

– Women’s Bikini Masters 35+ A –

– Women’s Bikini Masters 35+ B –

– Jessica Galera presents the medals –

– Women’s Bikini Masters 40+ –

– Deimante Liubsyte (270) –

– Women’s Bikini Open Class A –

– Women’s Bikini Open Class B –

– Women’s Bikini Open Class C –

– Women’s Bikini Open Class D –

– Women’s Bikini Open Class E –

– Women’s Bikini Open Class F –

– Women’s Bikini Open Class G –

– Women’s Bikini Open Class H –

– Nina Suette (286) –

– Jack Sullivan hands over the Pro card to Nina Suette (286) –

– Antonietta Cozzolino (29) –

– Women’s Bikini Overall –

– Nelson Lopes interviews Antonietta Cozzolino (29) –

– Daniel Pinillo Terrero (373) –

– Kristian Jahoda (338) –

– Lukasz Mizera (341) y Piotr Styczynski (377) –

– Men’s Bodybuilding Novice –

– Ruben Herrrera Rodriguez (340) –

– Emilio Jose Bueno Alcaraz (343) –

– Men’s Bodybuilding Open Middleweight –

– Artur Polutranko (359) –

– Andrew Scott (404) –

– Halil Bakirci (362) –

– Men’s Bodybuilding Open Light Heavyweight –

– Men’s Bodybuilding Open Heavyweight –

– Julian Galarzo (400) –

– Dmitrij Anisimov (395) –

– Andrew Scott (404) –

– Men’s Bodybuilding Open Super Heavyweight –

– Men’s Bodybuilding Overall-

– Vladyslav Kuzin (386) –

– Ilona Marijs (30) –

– Cristian Alvarez Facal (177) –

– Tung Linh Bui (168) –

– Men’s Classic Physique Masters 35+ –

– Paco Moratalla Pitarch (166) –

– Jose Luis Parreno Martorell (190) –

– Men’s Classic Physique Open Class B –

– Anwar Abbas (198) –

– Men’s Classic Physique Open Class C –

– Men’s Classic Physique Open Class D –

– Jose Luis Parreno Martorell (190) –

– Manolo Cecili (213) –

– Mia Bellini –

– Anlly Saenz (16) –

– Women’s Wellness Open Class A –

– María Paulette –

– Ruth Petizco –

– Women’s Wellness Open Class B –

– Davina Salaberry (4) –

– Jack Sullivan hands over the Pro card to Anlly Saenz (16) –

– Davina Salaberry (4) –

– Women’s Wellness Overall –

– Davina Salaberry (4) –

As I said at the beginning of the story, no two events are the same. On this occasion, for the first time, a new TROPHY for the Best Poser was awarded with the name of XISCO SERRA. Shortly before the competition, in which Xisco wanted to participate, he left us physically. The emotional video of his memory allowed us to understand the importance of this new Trophy. Xisco was an example of the importance of living life pursuing your dreams.

The trophy went to Julián Galarzo and on this occasion was accompanied by a very special medal donated by Cristina Chatti, whose story touched all those present.

– “Xisco Serra” Trophy to the best poser –

– Cristina Chatti –

– Cristina Chatti and Julian Galarzo (400) –

– Julian Galarzo (400) winner of the “Xisco Serra” Trophy –

We cannot forget the public, constantly supporting the competitors and enjoying an event with the highest level of spectacle. Fans have the opportunity to see their idols on stage and meet them personally in a close and accessible way.

The details prove that everything is meticulously prepared and planned.

Emotions and joy spread off the stage with demonstrations of affection for family members and coaches.

A team, who call each other “family“, has once again made history by fulfilling the dreams of the competitors, bringing them closer to the ultimate goal of their journey, the Mr. Olympia.

These events can only be possible if there is a figure to lead the great team. A person who knows both the needs and the dreams of the competitors. Someone who has been on the stage and learned from a multitude of events. That person is Emilio Martínez.

Sometimes people tend to think that the work of a promoter is purely economic. Nothing could be further from the truth. During the three days Emilio is able to be on stage handing out a Pro card and in the shadows watching attentively how the event flows. He always has a moment for everyone, whether they are sponsors, competitors or spectators. To make all this possible implies that you are passionate about the sport.

Let the pictures do the talking….

What will surprise us in the 2025 edition? Surely in Emilio’s mind he is already drawing the lines of what will once again be one of the greatest amateur spectacles in the sport.

Sometimes a photograph can capture a moment in time and even make us remember a multitude of emotions. But if we put together several images according to a narrative, we can build a more complex story, full of nuances and even small stories within the main story. Thank you Emilio Martínez for allowing me to capture from my vision the magic behind these events.