UAE athletes shine at 5th West Asian Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship

Gulf Today, Sports Reporter

The UAE national team athletes achieved a distinguished international accomplishment during their participation in the 5th West Asian Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship held in Muscat. The event featured 270 athletes from 13 participating countries.

The championship was attended by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Hamad Bin Saif Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Emirates Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (EBBF) along with prominent sports officials from Oman including Al Sayyid Firas Fatik Al Said, heads of delegations, Dr Rafael Santonja, International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB), Dr. Adel Fahim, Vice President of the International Federation of Bodybuilding, Dr Salem Bin Saeed Al Bahri, Chairman of Oman Bodybuilding Committee,

Ammar Al-Hosni, committee member, Ahmed Johar, a member of Emirates Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation.

Sheikh Abdullah congratulated the victorious athletes, praising the impressive physical and technical levels showcased by the Emirati competitors amidst a field of international champions. He also commended the efforts of the UAE national team’s technical director, Zuwaid Salmeen Al Zaabi, which led to the athletes delivering remarkable performances, urging them to maintain their readiness for future competitions.

On the first day of the physique competitions, the UAE athletes achieved an impressive feat by winning the championship, earning two professional cards, and claiming five medals.

Among the top winners was UAE national team athlete Maher Khalil Al-Badawi, who won the gold medal in the physique category over 179 cm, and a professional card, making him the star of the competition.

Athlete Ali Al Jasmi won the gold medal in the physique category under 173 cm, while Salem Al Suleimani claimed the gold medal in the physique category under 179 cm and earned a professional card.

In other achievements, Abdullah Al-Khattal won the silver medal in the Physique Masters category, and Abdullah Al-Bastaki earned the bronze medal in the Physique Youth category. Additionally, Issam Al-Ghus came in fourth place in the Masters Physique category, Rashid Al-Muhairi finished sixth in the Muscular Physique category, and Abdullah Hassan Jumaa secured sixth place in the Physique category under 176 cm.

Badawi, who won the championship, received widespread admiration from the sports community, with over 1,000 spectators applauding his outstanding performance, which led him to win the coveted title.

Badawi dedicated his achievement to the UAE sports community, his family, and his coaches, affirming that the success would not have been possible without their support.

He expressed his desire to enhance this victory by winning future Asian and World Championships.

Similarly, Jasmi, the gold medalist in the 173 cm category, and Suleimani, the gold medalist in the 179 cm category, expressed great joy after delivering impressive performances that amazed the audience, reflecting the growing prominence of Emirati bodybuilding.