800 participants expected from around the world for Dubai Pro

• Third biggest bodybuilding event to be qualifying competition for Mr. Olympia 2025
• Gala to be held with the support of Dubai Sports Council at Dubai World Trade Centre from June 20 to 22
• AED 2 million up for grabs in prize money along with an international jury to manage the competition

DUBAI: Dubai will be hosting the fourth edition of the Dubai Pro International Bodybuilding Championship, the qualifying competition for the IFBB Pro League qualifier for Mr. Olympia, from June 20-22.

Organised by Oxygen Club with support of the Dubai Sports Council, the event is scheduled to be conducted at the Sheikh Saeed Hall 1 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Organisers are expecting in excess of 800 amateur and professional athletes to compete for the total prize fund of more than AED 2 million.

The organising committee revealed details of the event during a press conference held at the Dubai Sports Council headquarters where Adel Al Ali, Chairman of the Organising Committee was joined by Ahmad Ashkanani, the silver medalist at the 2016 and 2017 Mr. Olympia World Bodybuilding Championships.

The second Arab national and first Kuwaiti to compete at the Mr. Olympia, Ashkanani became the Champion of Asia in amateur bodybuilding in the Middleweight category, in 2010. Three years later, he won the Mr. Olympia amateur competition and the Arnold Amateur Europe contest.

Since going professional, Ashkanani has had an amazing record in IFBB contests while participating in the 212 division. After his silver medals in 2016 and 2017, Ashkanani was placed in the top-five in the next three years of the Mr. Olympia competition.

Though denied the top honours at the Mr. Olympia competition, Ashkanani went on to claim the gold at the Arnold Classic Ohio in 2017. As recently as 2023, Ashkanani won a spot for Mr. Olympia after topping the Saudi Arabia Show in the 212 division.

Crucial to Ashkanani’s success is his coach Ahmad Askar, who has overseen the bodybuilder’s success over the years. A successful bodybuilder himself, Askar also coaches other successful bodybuilders such as Dutch body builder, Roelly ‘the beast’ Winklaar.

Adel Al Ali was pleased with the progress of the event over the past few years. “We thank the Dubai Sports Council for their significant and continuous support of this championship since its launch. The championship has witnessed a wide participation of professional and amateur bodybuilding champions and the fourth edition differs from previous years in that the value of the prizes awarded to professional winners has been increased to AED 2 million and the number of professional cards has increased to 15,” he noted.

“Winners in the amateur category receive nine cards, while winners in the Gulf Championship receive 6 cards. The number of participating professionals and amateurs has also increased. All of this is due to the facilities provided by Dubai, the infrastructure designed according to the highest international standards along with the quality of life here. In addition, the organisation of this championship and other international championships held in Dubai has contributed to encouraging international companies at times to move their headquarters from Europe to Dubai, while international athletes and professional champions from Europe and America have also shown a keen interested in moving to Dubai,” he added.

The chairman of the organising committee was pleased that such a competition will give Arab body builders the opportunity of vying for international honours through such a qualifying round for the Mr. Olympia 2025 – the largest professional body building competition – to be held from October 9-12.

Part of Joe Weider’s Olympia Weekend, the 2025 Mr. Olympia competition will be held at the Resorts World Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Convention Centre in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“We are pleased with the large number of registrations for this championship, which is of great importance as it qualifies Arab athletes to become professionals and gives our own body builders the opportunity to try and be at the top at the World Bodybuilding Championship. Registration is still open in various categories for athletes from all over the world, and the judging process for the championship will be managed by a group of judges accredited by the International Fitness and Body Building Federation (IFBB),” Adel Al Ali stated.

Coach Ahmad Askar was pleased to witness the growth of such a popular competition. “The Dubai Pro has become one of the largest international championships and a destination for the world’s best bodybuilding athletes. The championship has been organised at a truly world-class standard, where verything is carried out with utmost precision,” he said.

“I am also expecting a large number of spectators to attend one of the strongest international competitions. The championship has provided high-level participants and attracted world champions. Every year, new names from all levels participate, especially from members of the Gulf Cooperation Council,” Askar added.

Champion body builder Ahmad Ashkanani was confident of the Dubai Pro contributing towards the growth of the body building in the UAE and beyond. “The Dubai Pro Championship will help develop Gulf and Arab sports, as it provides the opportunity for Gulf athletes to qualify for the World Championship. It has become one of the most beautiful and best championships in terms of organisation, competition and prize money. Each year, the championship witnesses greater expansion, thanks to the efforts of the organisers and the continued support of the Dubai Sports Council. It also attracts a large number of international companies specialising in fitness equipment and healthy nutrition to participate in the exhibition running on the sidelines of the championship. Our aim is to make this exhibition the largest in the world,” Ahmad Ashkanani stressed.

Image caption: Adel Al Ali was joined by famed body builder Ahmad Ashkanani and his coach Ahmad Askar at the announcement of the competition.