Posted on 08/13/2005 10:44:02 PM PDT by Antioch
Khosraw Basheri feverishly pumped iron for years, toning his body so it rippled with muscle and veins. His hard work paid off when he claimed a historic title in his war-battered country -- Mr. Afghanistan. The 23-year-old businessman from western Herat province flexed and grinned his way to victory Saturday in Afghanistan's first-ever national competition to select a top bodybuilder.
"I will never forget this day, the day I became Mr. Afghanistan," said Basheri, sweat and makeup streaming down his massive frame. "This has been my hope for the past two years, since I started preparing myself for this."At 96 kilograms (212 pounds), Basheri was among the heaviest contenders in the event, which featured nine weight classes and was held at a dilapidated movie theater in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
Forty-eight competitors from across the country struck poses onstage, twisting their oiled torsos to display swelling back and abdominal muscles or extending legs to show off sinewy calves. Some winced, others forced smiles. More than 200 spectators -- some wearing turbans, others three-piece suits -- crammed into the theater to watch the bodybuilders, who qualified for the event by winning contests in their home provinces and represent the sport's national appeal. "The most popular sport after football (soccer) in Afghanistan is bodybuilding," said Sayed Mohammed Payanda, secretary general of Afghanistan's National Bodybuilding Federation. "Most people in Afghanistan, especially young people, like bodybuilding very much."
It's so popular, in fact, that Arnold Schwarzenegger -- the former bodybuilder and movie star turned California governor -- is among the most widely recognized Western celebrities here.
(Excerpt) Read more at edition.cnn.com ...
Afghans aren't Arabs. They are more related to Iranians, Eastern Europeans and Indians. They'll adopt change faster.
Still Muslims tho... Isn't body building Un-Islamic? Sort of showing up God?
I don't know.
I hate to look at body builders. I see nothing attractive about them.
True.. Afghanistan was even more tortured by Salafist sand-nazis than Iraq ever was, but they seem to have emerged out of it much better than Iraq.
Aw man, everyone in that pic has a six pack.
I have a keg.
I'm guessing there will be a Speedo Fatwa any day now
I've never seen a gold Muslim before. Personally, I think all those muscles look ugly.
Iraqi Arabs are an exceptional exception to most other Arabs. For instance, Iraq is secular in stark contrast to all of its other other Arab neighbours. Okay, I'm generalising, but you can make out the difference in attitudes between, say a Saudi Arab or a Yemeni Arab, and an Iraqi Arab pretty easily.
And the commonality among all the Arab countries you listed is that they have sizable non-Muslim populations. Maybe that is a reason for their moderate and forward-looking ideals. And this is probably why Iraq must not be allowed to adopt an Islamic constitution.
Separation of Mosque and State is extremely important in radical-Islam prone countries like Iraq.
I wonder if his wife has to wear a burqua? Him in a g-string and her in a burqua. Cute couple.
I'm a lifter myself and I think this is really cool. So does my wife, but not every woman likes the ripped look. Most guys don't have near enough discipline to achieve it so not much to worry about. Bodybuilding is actually popular in Iraq. Wrestling (the real kind) has always been popular in the Middle East despite the Islamo-nuts so it makes sense that physique competition would catch on.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.