Bahrain Bodybuilding Team Heads to Oman for 5th West Asian Championship

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain's national bodybuilding team has set off for Muscat, Oman, where they will compete in the 5th West Asian Fitness and Bodybuilding Championship from 15 to 17 August at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex. This event, a key fixture in regional bodybuilding, will see athletes from across the area compete. Leading the Bahraini team is Osama Al Laith, who has expressed confidence in their ability to perform well.

The delegation features Al Laith leading as team head, with Abdullah Al Faraj and Mohamed Al Shafie handling administrative duties, Yusuf Khunji judging, and athletes Abdullah Al Mansour, Mohamed Bokhlaf, Ali Ibrahim Kowaiyed, Mohammed Naji, and Mohammed Abdul Amir Marhoon stepping into the spotlight.

After thorough preparations, the team is ready for the championship, which Oman is hosting for the first time. This event marks the beginning of the Bodybuilding Federation’s season. The athletes are proud to represent Bahrain and are aiming to secure medals. They have also extended their thanks to the Bahraini Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation and its chairman, Mr Sami Al-Haddad, for his overwhelming support.

The West Asian Bodybuilding Championship, launched by Bahrain, began in December 2016 with over 100 participants and Bahrain taking the title. The second edition in May 2018 saw 182 competitors from various countries, with Bahrain securing 33 medals. Bahrain led the standings with 590 points, outpacing the UAE and Oman.

Bahrain's dominance continued in 2019 with 48 medals and 3 international professional cards at the third edition, held in April at the University of Bahrain. After a four-year hiatus, the championship returned with the fourth edition in August 2023, under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and Bahrain reclaimed the title with 280 points. This year's championship is open to all nationalities resident in West Asian countries, and the best finishers will get ten professional cards in a variety of categories.