JEDDAH, 19 September 2004 — In a display of pure theater and raw muscle power, Bahraini Sami Al-Haddad won the Champion of Champions trophy in a professional body-building contest held here on Friday. The contest, open to all comers, attracted over 150 competitors from Saudi Arabia and abroad.

The trophies and prizes were presented by Prince Abdullah ibn Saud, who patronized the event which was sponsored by Bison energy drinks.

In the 85 kg class, Al-Haddad took first prize with Ahmad Al-Harbi from Saudi Arabia in second place and Muhammad Ayoub from Morocco in third. Al-Haddad went on to win the overall top prize and was declared Champion of Champions.

“Saudi Arabia has some serious talent,” said Al-Haddad after the event. “When I saw the competition I was surprised at the high standard here.” Over 4,000 eager spectators thronged to the event at Green Island, with many more unable to fit into the venue.

Al-Haddad told Arab News that he had promised his wife prior to his trip to Jeddah that if he won overall, then he would celebrate their successes with a special treat. “Originally it was going to be jewelry,” he said, “but it might now be a large celebration.”

Al-Haddad began body building 13 years ago at the age of 18. “I had ambitions to be a footballer or a professional sportsman,” he said, “but following my father’s suggestion, I went into body building.”

The discipline and solo nature of the sport confirmed his choice. “It developed over the years and changed my life,” he said. “The successes are all mine but so are the responsibilities for failure.”

Commenting on the use of steroids in professional body building, Al-Haddad said many of the extreme body-builders use them as do the “quickfix” amateurs.

“In competition, I will not be able to compete against the steroid users,” he said. “To me, the sport is about developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, both mentally and physically.”

What is his opinion of young men who take steroids in order to achieve chemically what has taken him years of training and diet? “Fools. Sure they achieve mass and bulk quickly, but when they stop, it goes just as quickly. They will eventually regret the problems they have stored up for themselves in later life.” Sterility, cancer and the atrophy of reproductive organs are just a few.

Al-Haddad travels the world competing in various contests. The next major event is Muscle Mania in California. Between contests, he advises on health and fitness and has a thriving business as a personal trainer. “Body building has turned from a sport into a career. It has given me everything,” he said.

Al-Haddad lives in Bahrain with his wife and two children.