Bodybuilding: Mr Olympia Amateur |06 June 2017

 Meckdachi, Anthony to flex muscles in Marbella

Seychelles will be represented by two bodybuilders at the upcoming Mr Olympia Amateur which will be held from June 9-11 in Marbella, Spain.

The two bodybuilders are well-known Mr Seychelles Ziad Mekdachi and the promising Andy Anthony.

At the Mr Olympia Amateur, the two athletes will compete against the world’s best amateur bodybuilders from across the globe in the prestigious IFBB (International Bodybuilding Federation) international event, an amateur version of the famous Mr Olympia Pro competition started by the inspirational concept of bodybuilding pioneer and promoter Joe Weider in 1965.

Beside traditional men’s bodybuilding, the amateur version also includes men’s classic bodybuilding, men’s physique as well as women’s body fitness and bikini fitness – a full spectrum of the spectacular physique sports performed in the IFBB nowadays.

Reigning Mr Seychelles Mekdachi has experienced this competition before and he finished second overall in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2014.

“I have been preparing very intensively for this competition and right now I can say I am in the best form I have ever been,” said Meckdachi when contacted by Sports NATION.

He added: “I am positive I can do well in Spain. My expectation is to bring a medal back to Seychelles.”

When asked about his chances of winning a gold medal, Meckdachi replied: “I do not know my opponents as I only have control on my body and not theirs, so all I can do is to ensure I am in the best shape possible.”

As for Anthony, a former cyclist, he said he expects to do well considering he managed to achieve all he set out to do in his preparation.

“I am in good form now and I believe I can definitely win something,” he said.

Anthony’s last overseas competition was the Arnold Classic last year in South Africa and he said this one is much bigger, but his experience alongside other top bodybuilders has helped him to prepare for the forthcoming contest.

“I believe we will both win a medal for Seychelles in Spain,” he added.

The Mr Olympia Amateur will be held at the Palacio de Congresos Adolfo Suárez de Marbella and the two athletes are expected to leave the country today.

Marbella, a nice world renowned touristic city and capital of the famous Costa del Sol, just by the side of Málaga. It is situated on the Mediterranean Sea, between Málaga and the Strait of Gibraltar, in the foothills of the Sierra Blanca. The municipality covers an area of 117 square kilometres crossed by highways on the coast, which are its main entrances.

S. N.