EMV 2015: Indrek Otsus’s take from the stage
I watched the Estonian championships, EMV 2015, through to the end and found myself asking an awkward question: is anything changing? The honest answer is: very little, and slowly. Standards are rising in the newer disciplines, where fresh blood is coming through. In the more established categories, changes in the placings reflect routine more than progress. Below, I go through the categories one by one.
EMV 2015 overview: where is the progress?
Men’s physique and bikini fitness are attracting new faces, the average standard is rising and competition is getting tougher. That is a healthy sign. Bodybuilding, fitness and bodyfitness, however, are standing still, both in competitor numbers and in average standard. One discipline is consistently strong, another consistently mediocre, and the third uneven. Fresh blood is rare.
The higher your level, the harder it is to show further improvement. That is a fact. It is precisely why athletes who keep improving over the years stand out. They were rewarded with success this time, too.
EMV 2015 bikini fitness and fitness: experience wins
Five category winners and three national team members contested the overall bikini fitness title. Reet was the clear winner, with Kristina a clear second. Beyond that, the judges’ consensus disappeared: their placings differed by 3–5 places, which is natural in an overall contest. Large height differences do not make judging any easier. Agne finished third. The standard was consistent across the field and strong by our standards.
Fitness rests on the shoulders of a few individuals, but those few are world-class. The duel between two European champions played out as expected: Kristina performed her routine well but lost to Endla by 3:4 votes. In the physique round, Kristina is very difficult to beat; Endla still had room for sharper conditioning. In the juniors, Lisanna showed a solid standard and had taken a step forward. International medals should not be taken for granted. The competition varies from year to year, and without improvement, placings can slip. That is no catastrophe; it is how sport works.
EMV 2015 bodyfitness and men’s physique: standards are rising
Five competitors took the stage in bodyfitness, a sign that not every young woman ends up in bikini fitness. A sensible choice, a harder path. The points gaps are clear on the scoresheet, but the judges’ assessments differed because they had to choose between very different physiques. Tatyana won on shape, but she needs more muscle and better conditioning to reach international standard. Gea’s strength was her sharp conditioning, which earned her a unanimous second place. Õnnela finally found the right discipline for her: third place and two category wins. Eli made a promising debut, but she needs considerably more muscle mass.
Men’s physique is drawing competitors in: 9 juniors and 8 men across four categories. The judges’ opinions differed particularly on the men’s placings, with the judging criteria still settling into place. Here in Estonia, the emphasis seems to be primarily on frame and a dry, lean look. Stage presentation needs more attention, and making sure the shorts are the right size for the man wearing them would help, too.
Kaspar earned silver at the Nordic Championships, a step toward international success. In the overall contest, however, Kert beat him by 4:3 votes. Kert convincingly won both the juniors and the shorter men’s category, then took the overall title: good conditioning, good shape and a confident presentation. Remarkable for a debutant. Saba and Egert also made a positive impression. Based on these first competitive outings, I look forward to seeing their next appearances; competition at home should drive progress.
EMV 2015 bodybuilding and classic bodybuilding: an old-school masterclass
In bodybuilding, 20 athletes took the stage: 4 youths, 4 juniors, 2 women and 10 men. Those numbers are nothing to get excited about, but the discipline is not on its deathbed either. The loss of youth and junior competitors is a concern; few make it through to the men’s division. For the first time in several years, two women competed: the tireless Esta and the well-prepared Rete. Esta has not slipped a millimeter, which is enviable. Among the youths, favorite Meinart won with a perfect score. Junior winner Tanel also competed in the men’s division.
For me, the classic bodybuilding contest was the most exciting moment of the Estonian championships: eight fairly evenly matched men on stage, with different heights and physiques. The judges’ assessments varied, with the top three in the physique round receiving placings from first to fourth. Taavi deserved the win: he had gained muscle mass, matched everyone on conditioning and had the best legs. Oleg’s posing routine helped him secure second place. Imre lacked sharp conditioning, while Tanel’s posing routine cost him a medal. Ramil was a pleasant surprise, while Ants’s lack of sharpness proved his undoing.
At the top of the men’s field, the comparison between the leading two was fascinating. In some poses, it was hard to tell who was better; both were in outstanding condition. On stage alone, Raigo looks superb, but alongside Ott, the bigger man has the edge. A seventeenth overall victory was secured. Try matching that. Respect.
EMV 2015 FAQ
Which disciplines stood out for their progress at EMV 2015?
Bikini fitness and men’s physique, which are attracting new faces. The more established disciplines—bodybuilding, fitness and bodyfitness—are largely standing still.
Who won the overall fitness title?
Endla beat Kristina by 3:4 votes after the routine and physique rounds. Kristina performed her routine successfully, but fell short of Endla in the physique round, with room for sharper conditioning.
Which overall title was this for Raigo?
His seventeenth. Competing alongside Ott, Raigo also won the overall bodybuilding title in 2015.
See the history on the forum HERE
Author: Indrek Otsus
Come and train! ArtGym
