EMPRO CLASSIC: TOP 5 STORYLINES TO WATCH
1ST William Bonac vs. Sasan Heirati
The headline battle of the weekend sees William Bonac and Sasan Heirati renew their growing rivalry.
Despite Sasan’s confidence heading into Alicante, the score currently stands at 4-0 in Bonac’s favour, with the Dutch-Ghanaian veteran most recently defeating Sasan in France. For Sasan, this feels like a career-defining opportunity. A victory over a multiple-time Olympia top-10 finisher would instantly elevate his status among the sport’s elite.
For Bonac, the motivation is different. Already one of Europe’s most decorated bodybuilders, another victory would further strengthen his legacy as one of the continent’s greatest competitors of the modern era.
2ND Angel Calderón vs. Madelman
One of the most intriguing matchups on the card features two Spanish bodybuilding icons.
Angel Calderón brings unmatched experience, having qualified for six Olympias and accumulated nine professional victories from 16 non-Olympia appearances. Across the stage stands Madelman, who boasts eight professional wins from just 15 shows.
While Angel's résumé speaks for itself, many fans and analysts view Madelman as the man to beat heading into the weekend.
3RD Rania Stamatiadou vs. Allison Testu
Two weeks ago in France, Rania Stamatiadou got the better of Allison Testu. Can history repeat itself?
Rania continues her pursuit of a first professional victory, with the Empro Classic marking her 32nd attempt as a pro. Few athletes in the IFBB have demonstrated the same level of persistence.
Meanwhile, Allison enters the contest looking to build on a promising season. This will be her fifth show working under coach Neal Cash, and after finishing runner-up in Spain last month, she’ll be aiming to climb one spot higher and secure gold.
4TH Can Ferran Minana Secure Olympia Qualification?
Few stories have been built on perseverance quite like Ferran Minana’s.
After recording five runner-up finishes across six contests, the Spaniard finally broke through for his maiden professional victory in France. Now competing in front of a home crowd, Ferran has the chance to continue his remarkable run.
One more victory would punch his ticket to the Olympia and complete one of the season’s best redemption stories.
5TH Can Mauro Fialho Defend His Title?
Defending champion Mauro Fialho returns to Alicante with more than just a title on the line.
The reigning Empro Classic Men’s Physique winner has spoken openly about a dream close to his heart: having his son join him on stage to present him with the winner’s trophy.
It’s a storyline that goes beyond placings and prize money. If Mauro can successfully defend his crown, one of the most emotional moments of the entire weekend could unfold before the Spanish crowd.
