Sidy Pouye could hardly have asked for a better start to his 2026 campaign.
The Spanish star returned to competition at the Empro Classic in Spain and delivered a commanding performance to capture the Men’s Physique title, securing the ninth professional victory of his career and taking another significant step towards Olympia qualification.
In a lineup that featured defending 2025 Empro Classic champion Mauro Fialho and several other dangerous contenders, Sidy left little doubt about who the best athlete on stage was. From the moment comparisons began in prejudging, he established himself as the clear frontrunner and never relinquished control of the contest.
His dominance was evident throughout the judging process.
During the first callout of prejudging, Sidy occupied the coveted centre position and never moved from it. As the judges worked through comparisons, he remained planted in the middle, a strong indication that he was the athlete everyone else was being measured against.
That same story continued into the final callout.
While battles were taking place around him, Sidy maintained his position as the man to beat, showcasing a physique that combined elite structure, balance, conditioning, and stage presence. By the time the finals arrived, the outcome felt increasingly inevitable.
Rather than opening the door for his rivals, Sidy continued to strengthen his advantage.
His presentation remained polished, his physique maintained its sharpness, and he carried himself with the confidence of an athlete fully aware he was in control of the competition. When the final results were announced, his victory came as no surprise to anyone who had watched the contest unfold.
The win over Mauro Fialho carries particular significance.
As the reigning 2025 Empro Classic champion, Mauro arrived with the pedigree and experience to challenge for another title. The Portuguese athlete once again displayed the qualities that have made him a consistent threat within the division, bringing a balanced and aesthetically pleasing physique to the stage.
However, on this occasion, he found himself facing an exceptional version of Sidy.
Mauro ultimately secured second place, a respectable result in a highly competitive field, but there was little doubt regarding the winner. Sidy simply controlled the contest from start to finish.
The battle for third place proved to be one of the closest contests in the lineup.
Hidayat Maharramli delivered a strong performance and pushed Mauro all the way for the runner-up position. In fact, only a single point separated the two athletes on the final scorecards, highlighting just how competitive the battle became.
Although Hidayat ultimately settled for third, his performance demonstrated that he belongs among the top contenders in the division. Losing second place by the narrowest of margins will undoubtedly provide motivation heading into his next appearance.
Italy’s Lorenzo Giachetti secured fourth place after another solid outing. Lorenzo brought a well-balanced package to the stage and remained competitive throughout the comparisons, continuing to establish himself as a reliable presence within the professional ranks.
Rounding out the top five was Jessy Pigury, who once again showcased the physique that has earned him respect throughout the division. Against a strong field, Jessy managed to secure another quality placing and remained firmly in the mix throughout the contest.
Despite the quality of the athletes surrounding him, the spotlight belonged to Sidy Pouye.
What made the victory particularly impressive was not simply the fact that he won, but the manner in which he won. There were no dramatic judging debates, no controversial comparisons, and no uncertainty surrounding the final result. From the opening moments of prejudging through to the final pose of the evening, Sidy looked every bit like a champion.
Dominating both callouts and finals against a field of proven professionals sends a strong message to the rest of the Men’s Physique division.
Perhaps most importantly, the victory moves Sidy closer to one of his biggest goals of the season.
With nine professional victories now to his name, he sits just one win away from achieving the milestone required for automatic Olympia qualification. Given the form he displayed in Spain, few would be surprised to see that tenth victory arrive sooner rather than later.
If this performance is any indication of what lies ahead for the remainder of the season, Sidy Pouye is positioning himself as one of the most dangerous competitors in Men’s Physique. The Empro Classic was not merely another win on his résumé—it was a statement.
And for the rest of the division, it was a reminder that Sidy Pouye remains a major force whenever he steps on stage.
