Looking at him now, you would never guess Ali Omar was once out of shape.
But for the Iraqi-born teenager, it has been a difficult transition from overweight teenager to a competitor at the British Finals of the International Body-building and Fitness Federation (IFBB) in three weeks’ time.
“I used to play football as a kid,” said Omar, who turns 19 in November. “But as a goalkeeper. I didn’t move much, I was a lazy person. I spent a lot of time at home playing video games, ordering food. At 15, I weighed 95 kilograms, 30kg over what I should have been.”
Omar said there was not one specific moment that led down the path of losing weight, never mind a career in body-building.
“My brother used to lift weights, and I started going with him to the gym,” he said. “Things happened quick. In the first week only, I lost 5kg.”
Having caught the exercise bug, the teenager, who has lived in Dubai from the age of two, continued to lift weights throughout the summer of 2012, albeit without any change in his diet.
“I continued to train until I lost all the excess weight,” he said. “I became slim, it was unreal. I loved it.
“My brother convinced me to take up body building. He said, ‘Imagine going back to school looking all muscular’. I agreed and began lifting weight at 16, I was in Grade 10. After nine months, my body had developed to such an extent that people were shocked.”
In the summer of 2013, his brother’s trainer suggested Omar enter his first event, the annual Mr ISC Body-Building Championship at the India Social and Culture Club in Abu Dhabi.
“This was in September, so I agreed and we kept training until December,” he said. “I entered as the youngest competitor at 17, and I finished fifth out of 25. That was the beginning.”
After that, Omar’s development accelerated. He started training under Syrian coach Firas Tahan.
As part of his studies, Omar was at that point splitting his time between Dubai and London. Although enrolled in the UAE, under the British educational system he was able to attend lectures in Britain, before joining the Canadian University Dubai.
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While in the UK, he took his training to a higher level. “In London, the standards are higher than here by about 70 or 80 per cent, in terms of training and what you eat,” Omar said. “So I started focusing on these aspects.”
At the 2014 Dubai FPC Men’s Physique Contest, which included professionals, Omar finished sixth out of 45. “It was at this event that I started to get known, especially on social media,” he said.
“I was the youngest competitor at every competition. All the others were over 20.”
He continued to develop during the following year and, in February, he finished in the top 10 at the Qatar Open Body-building Championship.
At that point, he was offered the opportunity to represent Iraq at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, in the United States.
He finished in the top 20 and received a special award for being the youngest ever participant at the competition at 18.
His success prompted US nutrition manufacturer ProSupps to sponsor him, and he followed his showing in Ohio with a second-place finish at the Scottish Championships in May.
Next up is an invitation to the British Finals in three weeks in Nottingham, and then the IFBB Amateur Olympia Liverpool in November.
Omar’s training schedule usually consists of a 45-minute cardio session in the morning seven days a week and a weightlifting session in the afternoon after his university classes five times a week. Closer to competitions, he adjusts his regimen.
“Eight weeks before a competition, cardio is 45 minutes, but when it gets to the last four weeks, we want to burn the fat quicker,” he said.
“So we do 20 minutes in the morning on an empty stomach, only water. We do a one-minute sprint, then a one-minute walk and so on. This ensures your body is burning calories the whole day.
“I then eat around three meals when I’m at university. After that it’s weightlifting, 20 sets of 15 reps. Then I have another three meals, so I have six meals in total throughout the day.”
Omar scatters his meals around his studies, often eating while studying or on his laptop at home.
“Even if I’m free, I stay at home to relax before the following day’s training,” he said.
“I have no real social life. My social life revolves around those at the gym.”
Though Omar represented Iraq in Ohio, he will represent himself in Nottingham, and – though he will not receive his British passport for another 18 months – the UK in Liverpool.
The British Finals come with an added bonus: five IFBB Pro Cards are up for grabs. Having a card allows the holder to compete as a professional. “My first dream is to be a professional within two years. I’m working to achieve that,” Omar said.
“My other dream is to get my weight to 95kg pure muscle. At the moment I weigh 86kg, with 84kg pure muscle. My goals are to get to 95kg and a professional card.”
akhaled@thenational.ae
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
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How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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Power 420hp @ 5,600rpm
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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
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Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
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Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Friday: Giggs, Sho Madjozi and Masego
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RESULTS
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Third Test
Day 3, stumps
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Australia 151
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TCL INFO
Teams:
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
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The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
