Bodybuilders weigh-in

Date: 22-06-2005 Posted by: Anabolic Info TeamBahrain

THE second Flex Open Bodybuilding Championship, organised by Flex Gym in co-operation with the Bahrain Weightlifting and Bodybuilding Association (BBWA),commences at 7pm today at the Al Ahli Club Gym in Mahooz. Fifty-eight bodybuilders from 10 countries underwent weigh-in procedures yesterday for five weight categories - under-65-kg, under-70-kg, under-75-kg, under-80-kg and under-90-kg - at the Flex Gym premises in Riffa and were in high spirits ahead of the event.

The participants include 20 from Bahrain, 20 from Saudi Arabia, eight from Kuwait, four from the UAE and one each from Lebanon, Egypt, Turkey, Iran, Nepal and the Philippines.

"This is a good opportunity for the rising Bahraini bodybuilders to compete with opponents from other countries to gain experience and more confident," said Bahraini bodybuilder Noor Hassan who is the favourite to clinch the under-90-kg category.

Among contenders in the under-90-kg is Mustafa Mishal of Saudi Arabia who won last year's title. Other favourites are Saudi Arabia's Zaki Abu Al Saud, Belal Mizal of Lebanon and Rida Qamandi of Kuwait.

Bahrain's Rida Ali, who won last year's under-70-kg category, is expected to be among the top three.

Other Bahrainis who are contenders to win their categories tonight are Abdulaziz Hassan, Abdulwahed Hassan and Abbas Khudair who will be taking part in the under-65-kg, under-80-kg and under-85-kg respectively.

The top five bodybuilders in each category will be honoured at the presentation ceremony with a total prizemoney of BD5,000 up for grabs.

The pre-judging is scheduled for today from noon to 6pm, while a 20-minute play titled 'The Legend' will be staged before the start of the contest.

The play will focus on body movements and strengths of the muscles. The play will be supervised by Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation director Nasser Al Saadon.

Organised for the second consecutive year, the event is being held under the patronage of the Southern governor Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Ahmed Haider of Lebanon, who was the 2004 World Classic Champion, was invited to be the chief guest by Flex Gym owner Saleh Al Ammar,

This year's championship is supported by Alba, Batelco, Meshtan Hotel, AMA Sport, Royal Majesty, the General Organisation for Youth and Sports and the Information Ministry.

Tournament director Khalid Al Qoud said entry fee is BD3 and tickets are available at Al Hala Club, the Tigers Gym, Victory Gym, Body Cuts Gym and local clubs including Al Najma, Riffa and Sitra.

Al Qoud said this year's event will cost BD30,000 unlike last year which cost them BD7,000. Al Qoud thanked the companies and establishments for their contributions.