Athleta / 11

Sports imagery evolves, and so do we. Athleta Magazine Issue 11 takes you on a visual and editorial journey that begins in codified violence turned social revolution: from the impact of Dublin's Muay Thai Academy, where young fighters search for a greater purpose than what darker corners have to offer. Neil Gavin captures this transformation on our cover with a striking image of a young fighter, which leads us into the story 'Changing Narratives'. From the Celtic island to the heart of Europe, we touch down in Sankt Moritz, where ‘White Parade’ tells the tale when alpine elegance collides with raw power at the annual White Turf —an extraordinary horse race amidst snowy peaks and cosmopolitan luxury, expressed through the lens of RiseUp Duo. Not far from there, we dive into the dynamic synergy of twins Asia and Alice D'Amato—leading figures in Italian gymnastics. In 'Power of Two,' Carolina Amoretti captures their elegance, resilience, and seamless harmony, with styling by Athleta’s Fashion Editor, Tiny Idols, offering us an intimate glimpse into their extraordinary connection. Then we sail across the open sea with Ambrogio Beccaria in 'How Far You Can Go,' where his solitary connection to the ocean is brought to life by RiseUp Duo's evocative photography. From the waves to the track, we pay homage to running legend Stefano Baldini. Twenty years after his historic Olympic win in Athens, Marco P. Valli's 'For Better or Worse' delves into Baldini’s unshakeable love for the sport—guiding the next generation as a coach, passing on not just skills, but the spirit of the track. Our journey continues overseas in Argentina, immersed in the fever-pitch of Boca Juniors' Bombonera stadium, thanks to Pancho Monti's 'La Mitad Más Uno'. The roar of the crowd and the soul of football bring the Xeneizes spirit to life. Back in Italy, Alessandro Zuek Simonetti captures the essence of Alessandro Cannata, a blind Paralympic sprinter and national multi-record holder, in 'Blurred'—where vision transcends sight. Issue 11 breaks the 200-page mark, diving deeper into the mosaic of sports and culture than ever before. We explore the cultural roots of pelota mixteca, an ancient sport kept alive by Mexican-American communities, lyrically narrated by Fabien Scotti in 'Nuestra Historia.' From ancient games to a distinctly different tradition: the vibrant guinguettes, Parisian dance halls that embody the timeless spirit of joy. Mathieu Richer Mamousse’s 'Te Souviens-Tu?' walks us through their enduring charm. We then turn to Africathletics, a project Athleta is proud to support. In 'A Future Made of Sounds', Erika Serio highlights women’s rugby in Malawi, where education and sport are mutually empowering, lighting a path for the future. From grass fields, we move to asphalt, where Pepe’s old-school skateboarding philosophy unfolds in 'Cowboys Do Cry'. Riccardo Romani portrays his multifaceted approach to skate and art. ‘La Grande Bellezza’ transports us to the tartan track of the Olympic Stadium and the 2024 European Athletics Championships, depicted in all its majesty by our Team. Our journey comes to close on the roads of Sierra Leone, amidst the Lunsar Cycling Tour. 'Riding Noise', shot by Matt Grayson, is not just a story about cycling; it's an anthropological glimpse into perseverance and community, punctuated by the challenges of physical exertion. With every issue, Athleta Magazine pushes the boundaries of sports storytelling, inspired by the muse of movement. Let Issue 11 inspire you—flip through its pages and discover stories that showcase the transformative power of sports.

 

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Athleta is about telling this story in photos. It is the essence of strength and the absence of failure. That’s something that just doesn’t exist, when you know that you’ve given your all. The desire to try when there is no money to be won, but with simply the idea of being the best. These are pages to be looked at, explored and understood. They are images that have soul and touch the soul. They are details to discover. They are journeys to make.