History Made: What We Learned From the First-Ever European Fit Model Pro Show

Well… What a Weekend! When I wrote my preview article last week, I mentioned that this wouldn't just be another pro show—it would be the first-ever Fit Model Pro competition in Europe. I don't think any of us quite realised just how significant that moment would become... rotating podiums aside! With 37 professional athletes taking to the stage, plus another three who earned their Pro cards at the amateur show the day before, this became the second-largest Fit Model Pro show we've seen so far (if I'm not mistaken). That's a pretty remarkable milestone for a division that's still very much in its infancy. If anyone was still questioning whether Fit Model has momentum, I think this weekend answered that. As expected, the standard was incredibly high. One of the things I was most interested to see was whether European physiques would differ from what we've already seen rewarded in the United States. While every athlete brought their own unique look, the judging reinforced a message that's becoming increasingly clear: balance remains king. Fit Model isn't about bringing the most muscle to the stage. It's about bringing the right amount of muscle, presented with symmetry, elegance and polish. Another thing that really stood out was the quality of presentation. Hair, make-up, stage confidence and posing are continuing to separate athletes in what is becoming an incredibly competitive division. When the physiques are close, presentation really does matter. Speaking of posing... One of the biggest highlights of my weekend was the response to my presentation. I was genuinely blown away by the number of people, both in the audience and online, who commented on my posing. As someone who spends hours practising and coaching posing, that feedback meant just as much to me as any placing. It's a reminder that, even in a sport judged on physiques, how you present that physique can leave a lasting impression. As for my own result, I finished in the third call-out. Of course, every competitor walks onto the stage hoping for a higher placing, but one thing I really appreciate about the IFBB Pro League is the opportunity to receive constructive feedback. The judges' message was clear: my upper body is exactly where it needs to be, but my lower body is currently carrying too much size for the Fit Model criteria. Specifically, my legs need to come down, and my glutes need to be tighter and more refined. For me, that's actually encouraging feedback. It doesn't mean I'm having to rebuild my physique from scratch (thank the Lord!). I simply need to refine what I've already built. Knowing exactly what the judges want gives me a clear direction for the rest of the season, and that's invaluable for any athlete competing in a brand-new division where the criteria are still evolving. Perhaps that's one of the biggest takeaways from this weekend. Every show is helping define what Fit Model looks like at the professional level. Athletes are learning. Coaches are learning. Fans are learning. Even those of us standing on stage are constantly building a clearer picture of where this division is heading. And that's exciting. The first European Fit Model Pro show is now in the history books, but I have a feeling we'll look back on this event as just the beginning. As for me? It's back to work. A few refinements. A little less lower-body size. A little more polish. Then it's onto the next one. The season is far from over.