Muscle Mastery: Step inside the NPC New Mexico State Open

Competitors prepare to take the stage during the NPC New Mexico State Open at the Historic Lobo Theater in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. Men and women competed in bodybuilding, bikini, physique, figure, wellness, classic physique, and fitness, rivaling for a first-place trophy and a national qualification.

Competitors flex on stage during the NPC New Mexico State Open at the Historic Lobo Theater in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Julian Sanchez, 30, from Albuquerque, places first in the men’s bodybuilding open light heavyweight division during the NPC New Mexico State Open at the Historic Lobo Theater in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Diana Guerrero places first in the women’s figure open Class A during the NPC New Mexico State Open at the Historic Lobo Theater in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Competitors prepare to take the stage during the NPC New Mexico State Open at the Historic Lobo Theater in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Competitors prepare to take the stage during the NPC New Mexico State Open at the Historic Lobo Theater in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Emmy Sanchez, 26, from El Paso, Texas, prepares to take the stage as competitors prepare to take the stage during the NPC New Mexico State Open at the Historic Lobo Theater in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Morgan Carroll, 26, of Amarillo, Texas, gets in the zone while male competitors stay warmed up for competition in the staging area during the NPC New Mexico State Open at the Historic Lobo Theater in Albuquerque on Nov. 16.

Matthew Smith flexes on stage during the NPC New Mexico State Open at the Historic Lobo Theater in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Rita Dubounet, from Albuquerque, flexes outside the staging area during the NPC New Mexico State Open at the Historic Lobo Theater in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Competitors flex on stage Saturday during the NPC New Mexico State Open at the Historic Lobo Theater.

Julian Sanchez, 30, from Albuquerque, places first in the men’s bodybuilding open light heavyweight division during the NPC New Mexico State Open at the Historic Lobo Theater in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Women compete in the NPC New Mexico State Open at the Historic Lobo Theater in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Coach Desire Dubounet, of Albuquerque, watches Rita Dubounet compete during the NPC New Mexico State Open at the Historic Lobo Theater in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Samantha Gallagher kisses her husband, Joe Gallagher, 41, of Durango, Colo., after he competes in the NPC New Mexico State Open at the Historic Lobo Theater in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Competitors prepare to take the stage during the competition Saturday.

Emmy Sanchez, 26, from El Paso, Texas, prepares to take the stage as competitors prepare to take the stage during the NPC New Mexico State Open at the Historic Lobo Theater in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Rudy Banuelos, 41, of Albuquerque, does pull-ups backstage during the NPC New Mexico State Open at the Historic Lobo Theater in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Elias Cornejo, 23, of El Paso, Texas, prepare to take the stage during the NPC New Mexico State Open at the Historic Lobo Theater in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Chancey Bush

Chancey Bush Chancey Bush Chancey Bush Photographer

Published November 17, 2024 - 1:02 p.m. Modified November 17, 2024 - 1:39 p.m.

news sports multimedia

Powered by Labrador CMS