Viewpoints | Aug 12,2023
One of the days earlier this month, I found myself at the fifth-floor hall of Capital Hotel & Spa attending a bodybuilding tournament with my son. Had it not been for a serendipitous meeting with the host a few days earlier, there was no way I could have known such a sporting event was happening in the heart of Addis Abeba.
Apart from my youthful attempts at doing push-ups and lifting dumbbells, I have never been the kind of person to pursue sports activities or witness a live competition.
I remember hanging a sandbag on a tree in my parents' home to use as a punching bag. My mother who was not pleased with what her 18-year-old son that should have been preparing for a school leaving exam was doing, removed it from the tree and scolded me to focus on my studies.
Times have changed. Now, my 18-year-old son accompanied me to watch the competition live. As we entered the hall, it was filled with spectators that are enthusiastic about fitness. The atmosphere resembled soccer or athletic matches, as a testament to how enticing the sport was.
We secured our seats and waited for the event to begin. Several young men made their way to the stage in gym shorts showing off their muscular forms to background music and an applauding audience.
The enthusiasm from both contestants and the audience reached a fever pitch as fans wearing t-shirts with gym and club logos chanted names rallying behind their favourite contestant. Hoorays and loud shrieks ensued. Many were up on their feet whistling and clapping with great passion.
The junior physique category was first where contestants categorised by age and height competed. Then the bodybuilders followed. Their body form, presentation and ability to engage the audience with a smile and confidence were the main criteria. The tournament progressed to a bikini show where five ladies competed. In a sport assumed to be dominated by men, they were rare jewels creating an electric atmosphere and receiving applause from the audience.
The show reached its height of entertainment phase during the final roads in the three categories for the much coveted Mister Ethiopia Bodybuilding, Mister Ethiopia Bodybuilding Physique and Miss Ethiopia Bikini, forcing the judges to give extra time for contestants to showcase their best performance. The champions adorned the stage amidst a roar of applause and music in a fairytale-like grand finale. Besides the title, they will have an opportunity to compete on an international level.
The competition was the third time to be hosted initially launched at the Hilton Hotel, Addis Abeba in 2019. I learned that the schedule was officially communicated to contestants six months ahead of the event and refereed based on rules and regulations set forth by the International Federation of Body Building & Fitness (IFBB).
The Ethiopian Weight Lifting & Body Building Association was founded in 1970 under the auspices of the Young Male Christian Association (YMCA) and later evolved into a federation.
Abebe Terefe, Masresha Negash, HaileMichael Ethiopia and Mesfin Eshete were among the founders where tournaments were held between provinces and at club levels, with 24 clubs competing until the 90s.
Towards the end of the tournament Mesfin Eshete, president of the Federation awarded the organiser Yonas Mekonnen a certificate of merit for dedicating two decades to bodybuilding, training and therapeutics. Yonas was also the moderator at the event and led the team of judges representing the Federation.
I sat down with him on a quiet afternoon to understand what keeps him ticking. The muted metropolitan movement and soundtrack of the light train railway, silhouettes of street lights in the twilight and swarming motorists did not prevent us from being absorbed in an engaging conversation. He reflected on his life philosophy and world outlook revealing there is much more to him than an illustrious and successful career in bodybuilding.
The fitness industry promotes a positive lifestyle, and alternative entertainment while creating revenue and job opportunities. The sector contributes to the prevention of non-communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and mental health issues that are posing existential threats to societal well-being and economic challenges.
As the saying goes ‘a stitch in time saves nine’ underscoring the need to ill save the economy from costs for medication, healthcare, drugs and welfare. Programs like Medicare, and Medicaid in the United States and the NHK in the United Kingdom exemplify costs levied on economies and lobbying agenda for presidential election campaigns.
The age group 18-30 would represent a prime interest group to foster this sport. For me and my son, it was a great bonding activity and we were overjoyed to be part of this exciting event proving to be beyond our imagination. He was highly inspired to take fitness as a positive and constructive lifestyle.
I could never have guessed the event would garner such enthusiasm and fun. Although bodybuilding is popular among the youth as a personal hobby and fitness exercise, it has yet to mature as a profession with limited tournaments in the country.
PUBLISHED ON
Jul 01,2023 [ VOL
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Viewpoints | Aug 12,2023
Viewpoints | Aug 12,2023
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