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THE Gulf’s top bodybuilder has warned of the dangers of steroid abuse which nearly cost him his health as well as his career.
The former Mr Asia – who faced a five-year-ban for using banned substances to enhance his performance – cleaned up his act and came back bigger and stronger than ever.
“You can achieve anything with the right attitude and the correct lifestyle,” said Sami Al Haddad.
He is now an inspiration to young bodybuilders and is trying to ensure they keep on the right track. But, he fears many of the growing army of enthusiasts may fall prey to drug peddlers.
Mr Al Haddad said: “There are really big dangers involved in bodybuilding; you could end up either looking good or in hospital.”
The Asian Olympics silver medalist puts his current success down to a strict diet and training regime.
“It’s a lifestyle choice,” he explained, “its all about having the dedication to succeed.
“But some people want to take short cuts and use steroids. There are a lot of dealers in the market here. If you’re connected you can get them anytime.
“Even if it’s a teenager, dealers will give drugs to them; they have no mercy and will sell to anyone.”
He also highlighted the dangers of serious physical damage facing those who try to body-build without proper training.
He said: “Unfortunately not all the groups here have qualified trainers. I wish they would make a standard for trainers. Just because you stand on stage doesn’t mean you’re qualified to train others.
“There aren’t nurses in each gym, so they should at least insist that trainers take courses in first aid.”
His warning comes as the popularity of bodybuilding in Bahrain reaches an unprecedented level.
Tigers Gym in Budaiya is one of the most popular and highly-respected gyms in the kingdom. Its owner Abdul Karim Makki Al Turif, estimates that there are more than 100 professionally training bodybuilders and at least 200 amateur bodybuilders in the country.
He said: “Bodybuilding took off in the late 90s, but now it’s huge. Competitive bodybuilders come to Tigers to train, there are between 80 and 100 who train here alone.
“Both the national team and people who compete in local shows come here.”
Mr Al Haddad said: “In my time in the 90s there were one or two gyms but now there seems to be one every 300 metres.
“Every day we see a new bodybuilder. Anyone who opens a gym, or a nutrition shop, will make a very good business.”
Recently, the Bahrain Second Open Contest, attracted 42 participants from around the Gulf. Mr Al Haddad was guest of honour at the contest.
Despite a five-year ban, Mr Al Haddad’s 15-year career has been meteoric. In 1993 and 1994 he won the junior section of Mr Asia. In 1996, he won third place in the main Mr Asia competition, in 1997 he came second and in 1998 he was first.
He said: “To me it was like climbing a ladder and when I got there it felt great.”
But later that year, he tested positive for steroids. “It wasn’t done on purpose,” he explained, “it was a banned substance elsewhere but it wasn’t banned in Bahrain, so I was using it until the show.
“But when I took steroids I used to get very angry, very quickly – I was losing friends on a weekly basis. My memory didn’t function as well and my immune system was breaking down.”
He was banned from competing for five years and said: “The ban destroyed me but I tried to be patient and it made me want to be a champion again even more.”
His determination paid off. Shortly after he came back in 2002, a clean and confident Mr Al Haddad won a silver medal in the Asian Olympic Games.
“Bahrain hadn’t achieved a medal for 18 years, so the King sent a private jet to Korea to come and pick me up,” he said.
In 2005, he was sponsored by Muscle Mania and competed in the World Pros Show and won Mr World, taking home $10,000 and full sponsorship.
He was the first bodybuilder from the Gulf to win the title.
He has since won podium places in the ‘Night of the Champions’ competitions in New York and London. This year he is determined to secure first place.
In 2007 alone, professional shows will take him throughout Europe, the US and Barbados. Now Mr Al Haddad gives advice to young bodybuilders.
“They see me as an idol, and I’m so proud of that,” he said, “I take them out and answer their questions and they’re so excited. I always tell them not to use their muscles for fighting, not to jump from step one to step eight, but to take it gradually. I teach them commitment, how to stay healthy, not to exceed their doses of supplements and I advise them not to take steroids.
“My goal now is to form my own team, to create the next bodybuilding generation.”
Exclusive
By Rosamund De SyBel
editor@gulfweekly.com
