Manama 2008 Complete Report

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2008 WORLD MEN’S BODYBUILDING CHAMPIONSHIPS
ARAB BODYBUILDING ERA?
ALI TABRIZI REGAINS THE THRONE

By Andrew Michalak


Bahrain’s capitol, Manama, looks like a flower on the desert, growing up from the sea of sands. Her fancifully curved skyscrapers are visible from a long distance, looking like unbridled monsters controlling the city. But Manama is today a modern, quickly growing Arab metropolis, aspiring to the title of the Middle East business and banking center. You can meet there people of all colors of skin, types of race and style of apparels. Most of women on the streets wear traditional abayas and hijabs but they can also practice weight training, like pretty Princess Shukha Marow Al Rahman Al Khalifa, whose appearance in the venue site during the semifinals aroused great admiration and interest among the audience and journalists. One of the Bahraini officials told me that Princess is a great bodybuilding enthusiast and regularly trains few times per week.
To follow Islamic code of practice women trains in separate rooms in the gyms, not together with men. In this way bodybuilding overcomes the next barrier, helping Muslim women to support health and sculpt their body. In case of men, bodybuilding doesn’t need to be promoted here as it has already been very popular sport in the Arab countries. To prove it, they dominated these World Championships, wining more then a half of all available medals. Was it a gift from the judges? No, it wasn’t. Simply, Arab competitors must have highly qualified trainers, so they can come to the Championships in their best shape and keep this conditions till the end of the finals. They can achieve the top muscle hardness, separation and definition without losing too much muscle mass or losing as low as necessary. This ability is the most wanted bodybuilding knowledge nowadays, not so well-known among the other teams, so bodybuilders from Brazil, Korea, Thailand, Slovakia, Czech Republic or Ukraine, the real bodybuilding superpowers, slightly lost to the Arab champions after very tough battle this time.

Maybe some other great champions paid too much attention to their muscle size? These Championships confirmed once again that if your muscle mass is not supported by quality and top definition, you may stop to dream about the medals. Examples? Here there are: Wang Bung Cho (60 kg); Joung In Song (65 kg); Jose Carlos Santos (70 kg); Igor Kocis (75 kg), Sitthi Charoenrith and Hristomir Hristov (both 80 kg), Oleksandr Bilous (90 kg), Robert Piotrkowicz (+100 kg). Most of them are former world champions, many of them even won the semifinals but then slightly lost definition till the finals and lost the gold medals. Other bodybuilders were more successful in this uneasy task.

And one more impression: many champions showed perfectly shaped upper body but smoother legs (quadriceps) not to mention about hamstrings: only few could show separated hamstrings and their tie-in with glutes. Also middle and upper back was a weak point of many semifinalists. On the other hand, a lot o them displayed nice “Christmas tree” – good lower back definition. Now, let’s look what happened in each category.

60 KG CATEGORY: EL AMAWY REGAINS THE TITLE AFTER FIVE YEARS
It was the second year in a row that this category was included in the Championships (only when the Championships are held in Asia). Four of the 2007 finalists advanced to the finals once again, including all three medal winners.

Somkith Sumethovetchakul (Thailand) was massive and full but due to the lack of definition he had no chance to keep his bronze medal and was pushed down to the 6th position. Wang Bung Cho (Korea) was defender of title, against vigorous attacks of Anwar El Amawy (Egypt), who is a living bodybuilding legend, winning his first world title in 1989 but since 2004 it has been more and more difficult to him to repeat the victory. Last year in Jeju he won both physique assessment rounds but dropped to the 2nd position due to the poor posing routine.

This time he made his best to avoid this situation. He also won both physique assessment rounds and finished 2nd in the routine, what was enough to win, at 48, the sevenths world title in his long career! Congratulation to this Egyptian Air officer!

Wang Bung Cho came full and complete but with no top definition, so he was scored out of the medal zone in Rounds 1 and 3. But, once again, he performed very attractive posing routine, wining this round, and finally advanced to the 3rd position. This one who made troubles to the champions was the local audience favorite – Abbas Maki of Bahrain. Maybe, he showed the best definition in the line-up, with striated thighs and deep muscles separation. His routine, performed to the Arab song, was dynamic and impressive. Undoubted 2nd place in both physique rounds and good routine allowed him to advance from the 6th position last year to the silver medal this year. Spectacular success!

65 KG CATEGORY: BIG SURPRISE FROM IRAQ

2007 world champion Jose Carlos Santos moved to the upper class, so the 2007 runner-up Jung In Song (Korea) was a clear candidate to take his place. Unfortunately to him, it didn’t happen since a new contestant from Iraq, Sattar Atiya, dominated this class. His road to the top was not easy as he lost the 1st round to Song but then won both final rounds. He has no international contest history. He performed exciting posing routine, with rhythmic music and quickly flexed poses. His strong point is his general body proportions, with impressive “V” – taper trunk and wide shoulders.

Song and Somsri Turinthaisong (Thailand) were the most muscular competitors in the finals. Both shorter, with big-sized, full muscles. Very impressive in front poses but showing less details in the back biceps pose. Sharp definition of the upper body (obligues!) but rather smooth thighs. These values led them to the medals: silver to Song and bronze to Somsri.

So, all medals for Asia but the next two places went to the other continents. Over 50 years old Johannes Hendriks (South Africa) was still in top shape. It was his fifth World Championships and… the best one. Economist form Mexico, Eduardo Jimenez, moved up to the 5th position. He has done visible progress, especially in the upper body area, which was hard and defined. Needed more separated and cut-up legs.


70 KG CATEGORY: OSMAN AHEAD OF TWO GREAT CHAMPIONS

Two great champions, with several world titles each: Jose Carlos Santos (Brazil) and Sazali Abd Samad (Malaysia), against younger challengers: Mohamed Osman (Egypt) and Richard Riedl (Slovakia). Santos took the title in 2007 but in 65 kg class and Samad won the 70 kg category. After the semifinals everything looked “normal”: Santos was at the top, with 5 points advantage over Samad, Osman and Riedl, who were tied with 14 points each. But the finals brought unexpected changes.

Osman, who had fantastic debut in 2006, finishing 4th in 65 kg class, even improved his top quality definition, with striated legs and basic upper body muscles. The audience shouted “Obama” to encourage him as his face looks similar to Barrack Obama’s face. Did it help Osman to win both finals rounds and overpass Santos? Maybe there were some Obama’s enthusiasts among the judges but I think Osman helped himself, presenting the top shape in the finals. The other question is, if it was enough to defeat also perfectly prepared Santos, who was a bit fuller and also showed deep separation? Very close battle, so the judges panel was divided in its opinion but more judges scored Osman higher.

The finals were completely unsuccessful for Samad who appeared not enough oiled and bronzed, looked smoother, with beginnings of separation only. In this situation, Riedl, who had smaller mass but showed the best definition and hardness in the line-up, advanced to the 3rd place and pushed Samad out of the medal zone.

75 KG CATEGORY: THE NEXT DEFEAT OF THE FAVORITE

Twenty four competitors entered the stage in 75 kg class, with one great favorite: Igor Kocis (Slovakia), four-time world champion but his last victory took place 3 years ago (in 70 kg class). In Bahrain he was 5 kg heavier and in a higher category. Beautiful muscle lines, with fullness and thickness. Impressive thighs, with deep separation but only beginning of definition. His main challenger Hussain Jassim (Bahrain) was a “newcomer” at the World Championships but already won two Asian titles. He is shorter, with big and thick muscles and very low bodyfat level. His fans came to the venue with big banner – “God is with you. You are the champion!” And he is!
Kocis and Jassim were tied in Round 1 but the next two rounds went to Jassim. His muscle density and low body fat level were the decisive factors this time. The next defeat of the favorite!

The above two were “untouchable” but the battle for the next places was also very exciting. Shameen Adams, who took the last place in the routine round, moved up to the 3rd position in Round 3 and got the bronze medal, pushing down Filippo Masucci (Italy) who placed 3rd in the first two rounds. Adams entered the finals for the first time. Displayed fantastic overall body proportions and symmetry. Narrow waist and tremendous lats. Masucci had a very low bodyfat level and thin skin but need more mass.

80 KG CATEGORY: THREE FORMER WORLD CHAMPIONS AND… A NEW ONE

This category was packed with great champions and big names: Sitthi Charoenrith (Thailand), Baitollah Abbaspour (Iran) and Hristomir Hristov (Bulgaria) already had world titles in their collections of medals. Ibrahim Samy (Egypt) won silver medal at the 2007 World Classic Bodybuilding Championships, Oscar Marin (Spain) was medal winner at the continental and world championships and Luiz Sarmento (Brazil) won many medals at men’s and masters World’s. Real mixture of champions.

Sarmento was a bit off and placed 10th in the semifinals. Marin was extremely dense but was tied with the last finalist, Muritala Idowu, and took the “unlucky” 7th position. Expectations were that the three former world champions will grasp three medals. And this was the statues quo after Round 1 and Round 2. But Round 3 brought significant changes.

Hristov was extremely full and massive (78 kg at 156 cm) but was a bit too smooth and too soft and didn’t win any medal, finishing in the 4th position. He used to repeat this mistake from time to time, being to much “mass-oriented”, with no proper definition. Anyway, his separation improved till the finals, when he was tied with Charoenrith in Round 2 and slightly lost Round 3.

Charoenrith took the 2nd position in Round 1 and Round 2 but failed to keep it. Who was this “black horse”? Ibrahim Samy. He desperately attacked from the 4th position in Round 1 and 2 and moved up… to the 2nd place in his World Men’s Championships’ debut. He was not so massive like older champions, especially in the thigh area, but showed top condition, with hard and cut-up muscles. Very good in back poses, with deep separation on the back and hamstrings better than quadriceps. Bitter lesson for the more experienced champions. This impressed the judges more than “monster mass” of Charoenrith and Hristov. Anyway, very tough category, with minimal point differences between places 2nd to 4th.

And now few words about the champion: Baitollah Abbaspour. Among the world champions, only he and Anwar El Amawy won all three rounds at these Championships. And Abbaspour, like El Amawy, regained the title won 5 years ago in Mumbai, India. The size of his muscles was tremendous, especially thighs, which looked like two Greek pillars. Fantastic in the “Side chest” pose, looking like a new version of Arnold. Perfect muscle definition, even in so difficult area like hamstring and glutes. Only few athletes at these Championships could show it! No more comments necessary.

85 KG CATEGORY: REMEMBER THIS NAME - MOHAMMED OYYOUB

Very big category, with line-up of 26 athletes. 2007 world champion Eduardo Correia didn’t come. Last year finalists: Francesco Filippone (Italy) and Juraj Vrabel (Slovakia) placed just out of the finals (7th and 8th positions respectively). But we could see great come backs of former champions: Kamal Abdul Salam (Qatar), who won the world title in 2005 and 2006 and Vitaliy Grechukhov (Ukraine) – 2002 European champion. Plus new, 2008 European champion Josep Merino (Spain). And two new faces from Iran: Mehdi Ayari and Abbas Agheli As well as from Morocco: Mohammed Oyyoub.

All three with national titles only but remember these names, specially Oyyoub. He was very close to do the biggest sensation of these Championships. New competitor at this level, with tremendous potentials: very complete and hard muscularity. No “weak points”. Legs even fuller and harder than Salam’s. Adding very interesting and creative posing routine, which was scored a bit too low in my opinion, he was the most demanding rival to Salam and, probably, his successor. Round 1 only 15:16 to Salam, Round 3: tie 28:28. Great talent with great future.

Salam knows everything about stage presentation. Every his move, every his gesture, every his smile is perfectly done in a proper moment. Real wizard of posing. His routine was like from the future: mixture of quick muscle flexes, rhythmic music and dance. Judges were impressed but he won by one point only over the next master of posing, professional DJ from Ukraine: Vitaliy Grechukhov. His routine was applauded by the audience. And the next fantastic poser: Oyyoub.

These routines made big changes in the classification. Grechukhov, who was poorly scored in Round 1 (6th place) moved up to the 4th position in the final results. And tragedy of Josep Merino. Tied with Salam in the first place in semifinals, he dropped to the 5th position at the end of the finals. Very energetic and spirited person, what was visible in his posing routine, where he shouted phrases of the song. Very massive, we can say “mass monster” similar to Hristomir Hristov, but not enough hard and defined, with smooth thighs. But really his body condition got worse so much to move him from 1st to 5th place?

This “rough and tumble” between the champions was a good opportunity for the less known bodybuilders to jump between them. Mehdi Ayari was a successful “jumper” this time. He showed beautiful overall body proportions, with broad shoulders and narrow waist. Very good in back poses, needs more overall mass. Bronze medal is a nice beginning of his international career.

90 KG CATEGORY: CRUCIAL CHANGE IN THE LAST ROUND

Twenty two competitors and many famous names. 2006 overall world champion Ali Tabrizi (then Qatar, now Iran) against 2007 world champion El Shahat Mabrouk (Egypt), 2002 European champion Olexandr Bilous (Ukraine), four-time Asian champion Tareq Al Farasani (Bahrain) and 2007 4th place winner Sener Cinoglu (Switzerland). The beginning brought a surprise: Farasani clearly won the first two rounds over Tabrizi (5:10 and 6:10). Will he be the new world champion?

Both physiques are different. Tabrizi changed his physique a bit, reducing his tremendous thigh muscles. Now his physique is more proportional and looks even better. He shows rarely seen muscle maturity and quality. Very vigorous on the stage, everyone can get impression that he loves to pose. Farasani is not only a top Bahrain’s competitor but also national coach of Bahrain’s team. Very nice body lines, with narrow waist, full lats and big arms. This is his main “weapon” as his muscle sizes are not so big compared to the other top athletes in this category.

In Round 3 few judges changed their opinion and scored Tabrizi higher, what enabled him to overpass Al Farasani by two points and regained the world title. This decision had even more consequences: later on Tabrizi won the overall title once again. It seems that it was more difficult to him to win his category than overall title.

Similarly, very tough combat was run for the bronze medal. Mabrouk placed 3rd in Round 1 but then slightly lost the next two rounds to Bilous and dropped to the 4th position. Both are short, both are very massive. Bilous presented extremely full and dense upper body. And fantastic, thick and separated middle back muscles. Maybe, his legs need to be bigger to match the overall physique.

Mabrouk is the most titled amateur bodybuilder of the world. Since 1987 he has won eight gold medals at the World Championships! Successful movie actor in Egypt. But now he is nearly 50 years old and his muscles have become a bit too soft, especially in the leg area. Still tremendous overall mass of the upper body but not too hard this time. This subtle differences were noticed by the judges.

Oleksandr Slobodyanyuk (Ukraine) and Sener Cinoglu (Switzerland) were just behind the famous champions. Both improved a lot since the last year and have potentials to place in the medal zone in the nearest future.

100 KG CATEGORY:THE MOST SPECTACULAR VICTORY

Once again over 20 athletes on the stage. 2007 world champion Robert Piotrkowicz moved to the upper class, Markus Becht turned pro, only Viacheslav Burenkov (Russia) came from among the last year finalists but he placed out of the finals. The same happened to the 2008 European champion Vugar Verdiyev (Azerbaijan) and South American overall winner Fernando Noronha (Brazil).

But the gold medal in this category was the Egyptian “internal” matter as the two top places went to Egypt. Very well-known Moustafa Nasim El Asr was the favorite, as he won 2007 silver medal (in 85 kg category) and 2006 bronze medal (in 80 kg class). This year Nasim was over 10 kg heavier and was expected to win this exciting “duel at the top” against Mohamed Zakaria. Both came in perfect shape and body quality. Nassim looked fantastic in front poses, showing top hardness and terrific details. Watching his front and side poses, we could expect his victory. But his back was not of the same level. This is the key to understand his defeat as the judges didn’t hesitate to give the perfect scores in both physique assessment rounds to Zakaria and only in the routine round Nasim was tied 8:8 with him.

Zakaria, totally new face on the international level, came to these World Championships with the African juniors title only. Young, dynamic, gifted by nature, posing with passion and style. He showed top quality and definition but his “trump card” was his back. His “Back double biceps” pose was a decisive factor in his battle against Nassim. Maybe, Nassim is a little bit more impressive in the front poses but Zakaria is much more better in the back poses and this impressed the judges more. I think it is the most spectacular victory at these Championships.

The next three finalists: Emiliano Dell’uomo (Italy), Ratislav Solar (Slovakia) and Mojtaba Notarki (Iran) ran a very close battle for the bronze medal, changing the places from round to round. Finally, Dell’uomo took the 3rd position, 2 points ahead of Solar and 3 points ahead of Notarki. He presents top muscle density, definition and details. Very good in “Side chest” and “Most muscular” poses. Not so impressive in the back poses (lack of thickness). Anyway, we can say – successful debut at the world level and promising athlete for the future.

OVER 100 KG CATEGORY: HAMOUDA BY ONE POINT

Nineteen giants created top exciting spectacle. Enough to say that one point decided about gold medal. But first, some renown names ended in semifinals: Phil von Kanel (Switzerland), Dalibor Hajek (Czech Republic), Mario Hemmer (Austria) and Julio Balestrin (Brazil). David Hoffmann (Germany) and Bogdan Kravchenko (Ukraine) entered the finals for the first time, taking the 5th and 6th positions respectively. And then the aces: 2008 European champion Dimitar Dimitrov (Bulgaria), 2004 European champion Radoslav Slodkiewicz (Poland), two-time world champion Ahmed Hamouda (Egypt) and the next two-time world champion (but in 90 kg and 100 kg categories) Robert Piotrkowicz (Poland) who won the overall title in 2007 as well.

Piotrkowicz could be considered the favorite but after the semifinals total consternation: why he is not in the top shape? His famous leg separation is not so deep, his chest is not cut-up. The secret of his condition is that 4 days prior to the World Championships he went to Moscow to participate in the invitational event for the top athletes. The gap between these two contests was too short and all these travels didn’t help him. Result: 4th place after the semifinals. Round 1 went to the next Pole – Slodkiewicz, who appeared terribly dense and striated, 4 points ahead of Hamouda and 5 ahead of Dimitrov.

But the first final round, the routine, brought big changes. Hamouda is well-known of his attractive routines and he proved it once again. He is always in top shape, always confident and smiling. Perfectly did his routine, like a good actor. Fans and judges love it! Piotrkowicz came totally reborn, with much better separation, definition and hardness. He dropped 4 kg of his bodyweight during the night and impressed the judges. They moved him up to the 2nd position, one point behind Hamouda only. The battle started from the beginning again.
Slodkiewicz performed very modern and attractive routine but could be scored in the 3rd place only.

What an exciting Round 3! Who will impressed the judges more? Piotrkowicz, with his gigantic legs or Hamouda, with his bigger and wider upper body? No clear decision: both were tied 22:22 and this one single point earned in the routine decided that the gold medal went to Hamouda. He may feel lucky to win his third world title in this co closed combat.

Slodkiewicz, whose definition maybe was not so sharp in the finals like in semifinals, was scored 2 points behind the top two. He was so close to the final success but must wait the whole year for the next opportunity. The same Dimitrov: he ran close battle against the top three in the first two rounds but was scored lower in Round 3 and finished in the 4th place.

And the closing part of the World Championships – the overall category. Nine champions of different bodyweight and body height. Like in pro contests. Several comparisons and the judges are ready with their verdict: Ali Tabrizi Nouri. Congratulations!

IFBB Congress has made one important decision regarding the 2009 World Men’s Championships in Dubai: each National Federation will be allowed to enter the B-Team. So, we can expect more competitors, longer line-up in each category and more exciting struggle. But does it mean that the domination of bodybuilding “superpowers” will be stronger? Maybe, but also rivalry in each category will be tougher and more interesting. There will be no good bodybuilder left at home. If any country has three or four top quality athletes in any single category, they all will be able to participate in the Worlds. This will decrease the level of stress during the national qualifiers. Up till now, athletes had to show the top shape during the qualifiers to enter the National Team for the World Championships. And then they had to prepare the next “peak” within 2-3 weeks. Now their sport life will be a little bit easier. So, the 2009 World Men’s Championships in Dubai will open a new chapter in the IFBB history.


All pictures by Arnold Tokko



Opening Ceremony: Bahrain’s folk group performance.


The trophies awaiting for the wiiners.


60 KG CATEGORY:


60 kg category medal winners (from L to R): Abbas MAKKI (2nd place); Anwar EL AMAWY (1st place); Wang Bung CHO (3rd place).


60 kg category winner: Anwar EL AMAWY (Egypt).


Anwar EL AMAWY is leaving the stage.


60 kg category finalists (from L to R): Somkhit SUMETHOWETCHAKUN (6th place); Kyeong Mo PARK (4th place); Abbas MAKKI (2nd place); Anwar EL AMAWY (1st place); Wang Bung CHO (3rd place).



65 KG CATEGORY:


65 kg category medal winners (from L to R): Joung In SONG (2nd place); Sattar ATIYA (1st place); Somsri TURINTHAISONG (3rd place).


65 kg category winner: Sattar ATIYA (Iraq).


65 kg category finalists (from L to R): Faisal AL SALMAN (6th place); Johannes HENDRIKS (4th place); Joung In SONG (2nd place); Sattar ATIYA (1st place); Somsri TURINTHAISONG (3rd place); Eduardo JIMENEZ (5th place).


70 KG CATEGORY:


70 kg category medal winners (from L to R): Jose Carlos SANTOS (2nd place); Mohamed OSMAN (1st place); Richard RIEDL (3rd place).


70 kg category winner: Mohamed OSMAN (Egypt).


70 kg category finalists (from L to R): Kim HYUNG CHAN (6th place); Sazali ABD SAMAD (4th place); Jose Carlos SANTOS (2nd place); Mohamed OSMAN (1st place); Richard RIEDL (3rd place); Yousef KARIMI (5th place).


70 kg category victory ceremony: Egyptian anthem (from L to R): Datuk Paul CHUA - IFBB Vice President for Asia; Jose Carlos SANTOS (2nd place); Dr. Rafael SANTONJA - IFBB President; Mohamed OSMAN (1st place); Shaikh Isa bin Rashid Al Khalifa. - Supreme Council for Youth and Sports Vice-President and Bahrain Olympic Committee President; Richard RIEDL (3rd place).


75 KG CATEGORY:


75 kg category medal winners (from L to R): Igor KOCIS (2nd place); Jassim HUSSAIN (1st place); Shameen ADAMS (3rd place).


75 kg category winner: Jassim HUSSAIN (Bahrain).


75 kg category finalists (from L to R): Haji AL BALUSHI (6th place); Filippo MASUCCI (4th place); Igor KOCIS (2nd place); Jassim HUSSAIN (1st place); Shameen ADAMS (3rd place).



80 KG CATEGORY:


80 kg category medal winners (from L to R): Samy IBRAHIM (2nd place); Baitollah ABBASPOUR (1st place); Sitthi CHAROENRITH (3rd place).


80 kg category winner: Baitollah ABBASPOUR (Iran).


80 kg category finalists (from L to R): Dohee LEE (6th place); Hristomir HRISTOV (4th place); Samy IBRAHIM (2nd place); Baitollah ABBASPOUR (1st place); Sitthi CHAROENRITH (3rd place); Idowu MURITALA (5th place).


85 KG CATEGORY:


85 kg category medal winners (from L to R): Tareq AL FARASANI (2nd place); Ali TABRIZI NOURI (1st place); Oleksandr BILOUS (3rd place).


85 kg category winner: Kamal ABDUL SALAM (Qatar).


85 kg category finalists (from L to R): Abbas AGHELI (6th place); Vitaliy GRECHUKHOV (4th place); Mohamed OYYOUB (2nd place); Kamal ABDUL SALAM (1st place); Mehdi AYARI (3rd place); Josep MERINO (5th place).


85 kg category victory ceremony (from L to R): Vitaliy GRECHUKHOV (4th place); Datuk Paul CHUA – IFBB Vice-President for Asia; Mohamed OYYOUB (2nd place); Dr. Rafael SANTONJA – IFBB President; Kamal ABDUL SALAM (1st place); Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed AL KHALIFA - General Organization for Youth and Sports President; Mehdi AYARI (3rd place); Jim LORIMER – Arnold Classic organizer.

90 KG CATEGORY:


90 kg category medal winners (from L to R): Tareq AL FARASANI (2nd place); Ali TABRIZI NOURI (1st place); Oleksandr BILOUS (3rd place).


90 kg category winner: Ali TABRIZI NOURI (Iran).


90 kg category finalists (from L to R): Sener CINOGLU (6th place); Tareq AL FARASANI (2nd place); Ali TABRIZI NOURI (1st place); Oleksandr BILOUS (3rd place); Oleksandr SLOBODYANYUK (5th place).

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