Recognize bodybuilding as Olympic Sport

Accra, Nov. 23, GNA - Dr Kofi Abrampah, 2004 World "MuscleMania" Champion is advocating the recognition of bodybuilding as an Olympic sport, which should be showcased.

He told the GNA Sports that if weightlifting could be classified as an Olympic sport then it was unfair for bodybuilding, which involves more work and endurance to be excluded.

The Ghanaian Nuclear and Clinical Pharmacist based in the US, is in Ghana to promote the maiden "MuscleMania West Africa Contest". He acknowledged that getting bodybuilding into the Olympic slot would call for lobbying and cajoling from the "big wigs". Dr Abrampah said bodybuilding was not just about size or big muscles but "sculpting and shaping your body so that every mass could be identified".

"This, you would agree with me is more hectic, takes time, discipline and hard work", he told GNA Sports. The West Africa Show scheduled for Saturday, December 17, at the Accra International Conference is a prototyped of the World MuscleMania bodybuilding competition.

More than 100 natural bodybuilders in the sub-region including current "Mr Ghana" Champion, King Sabato and a competitor from Kenya are expected to mount the stage.

Contestants would undergo a rigorous medical fitness test including urine test to disqualify athletes who would use performance-enhancing steroids to boost their chances.

The overall winner would receive two million cedis plus a ticket to compete in the world event in the US.