In 3 weeks, Egyptian star Eslam Zacky will be competing for the first time. The 5’7″, 175 lbs., Cairo dealership owner says he dropped from an overweight 185 lbs. to his thickly muscled physique. “I am really excited to compete at Musclemania,” Eslam says. “Getting stage is really something new for me, so I am looking forward to it.” Eslam will be among over 300 natural bodybuilders and sports models from through the Middle East competing in Cairo on August 29.

Egyptian natural bodybuilder Mahmoud Hassan has never competed before, but the 5’6″, 160 lbs., 24 year old student has an amazing physique and worthy of taking stage anytime. “I just never thought that I could compete with the guys using the drugs,” Mahmoud says. “You see, here in Egypt, none of the shows are natural. I just use protein power, so I would get killed against those bodybuilders.” But, as Mahmoud explains it, that’s about to change. “I am training for Musclemania™ here in Cairo. I can’t wait! I want to go against guys that are clean like me and have a real contest.”