Legendary Musclemania® Pro Ulisses swept the MM Universe Championships not by sheer size, shape and condition but a combination matched by an unparalleled stage presence. The 19 year natural bodybuilder veteran says he never started lifting to be a career but just like training. “I caught the bug after my first show and realized that I could really take this to another level,” Ulisses explains. “Since then, I have never looked back. Bodybuilding is my life and even involves my wife and kids. It has become a family passion and is our livelihood. Its what motivates me every morning to get up and push myself to greater plateaus to take care of my family and surpass my goals.”
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.
Musclemania® Mid America Donte Franklin looking insane. It looks like the 6′, 210 lbs., 23 year old car salesman is going to rock the stage this fall. Donte started training when he was 13 years old. “I always had this thing about wanting to look like a muscleman,” Donte says. I started training at home in the garage. I’d lift anything I could find or make. It’s always been my passion.” Donte will guest pose at MM Mid America in October and compete at MM America in Las Vegas.
Korean superstar Chul Soon took a splash after Musclemania® Universe in Florida in June. The 5’9″, 200 lbs., MM Pro followed-up show with 3 days of media shoots with magazine photographers. Chul returned to Korea a few days later and appeared on a nationally televised fitness entertainment show in which he acted the DJ throughout the 1-hour program. Next month, he will travel to Singapore as a special guest at MM Asia along with fellow MM Pro legend Ade Rai of Indonesia.
Never on stage before, Austrian bodybuilder Onome Egger says he’s training to become the best natural bodybuilder ever! The 6’2″, 225 lbs., 19 year old lifetime natural says, “I keep lifting, eating right and shaping my body until the time I think I am ready to compete. I’m in no rush.” But everyone around Onome keeps telling him he IS ready. Still a high school student, Onome plays American football, rides horses, mountain hikes and enjoys being active. But, we will have to wait until he decides which Musclemania® show he will compete. To be announced. – Follow Onome Egger
Moe Hadary is one of the favorites training for Musclemania® Physique Middle East in Cairo, Egypt in 3 weeks. The 6′, 210 lbs., retail sales supervisor is conditioned year round and says, “It is my dream win and then compete at MM World.” Moe has been training since he was 8 years old. “I used to visualize myself as a comic super hero and would lift things around the house to build my arms,” Moe explains. So, having a muscular physique was always something I dreamed about. Moe will be among 300+ competitors and will see if his superhero physique can take on the best if the Middle East’s physique.
Musclemania® Pro Sid Lindsey hasn’t competed since winning the ’12 MM Universe in Miami. Currently, he serves in the US Air Force and trains on base in Korea and hasn’t compete for two years. At 5’10″, 225 lbs., Syd is one of the most impressive natural bodybuilders to take the stage. The former high school and college football star started lifting to build strength for sports, but switched to bodybuilding when he entered the military. Hopefully Sid he will be competing again, soon.
Former French Olympic simmer Nassim Khelifi took up serious weight lifting after his aquatic career. The 6’1″, 225 lbs., 25 year old is training for Musclemania® Paris which will also be his bodybuilding stage debut. “Physique training is so much different that I did for swimming,” Nassim explains. “I did a lot of rep and lighter weights and now its heavy stuff. The diet is much more rigged, too. I never used to watch my diet because I was burning up all the calories in the pool.” More news about Nassim soon as his physique readies for the show in Paris on October 11.
Chicago native Narayan Gaura says he’s contest ready, but the 5’9″, 156 lbs., 22 year old junior natural bodybuilder won’t be competing for more than two months. “I’ve been reading all about these guys staying lean all season, so I tried and it works big time!,” he says. “I am gaining about a pound every month and still ripped.” Narayan will be competing at Musclemania® Physique Midwest in Chicago.
Musclemania® Pro Chul Soon did a lot of shooting during his trip to MM Universe in Ft, Lauderdale last month. The Korea superstar then appeared on a nationally television fitness show in which he was the celebrity host. Chul will be making a special guest appearance at MM Asia in Singapore in October and back on stage at MM World Pro in Las Vegas in November. His new website will be launched soon.
Not exactly hard core training, but Musclemania® Pro Ricky Syamsuri says, “I’ve been spending all my summer vacation close to Nature. Checking out the organic corn fields is one my favorite activities.” Well with guns like his, who are we to comment. At 5’8″, 195 lbs., the Indonesian sensation is preparing for MM Asia on September and will be training with a team of nearly 30 competitors!
Ivan Estrada and his wife had their concept of a lounge chair at the beach this weekend! The 5’10″, 195 lbs., Jalisco, Mexico gym owner is an avid natural bodybuilder who has his whole family training and living the fitness lifestyle. “I’ve been lifting since I was a kid,” Ivan says. “So, its only right that my wife kids should be at it, too.” Ivan will soon compete at Musclemania® Latino.
After skipping competitions last season, Musclemania® Pro Fernando Francisco Dominguez says he’s returning to the stage this season. The 6′, 215 lbs., Madrid gym owner is known for his classic shape and symmetry, muscle thickness and stage appeal. Francisco will make a guest performance at MM Europe in Barcelona in October.
Natural bodybuilder Alex Rendon is looking more classic everyday. The 5’10″, 187 lbs., 21 year old Colombian hasn’t gained a lbs. over the past few months but keeps getting bigger and leaner. “I’ve been eating clean and training all year,” Alex says. He is training for Musclemania® Central America in September which will be his first competition ever. “I am close to contest shape now and I just want to keep growing and getting leaner until the show.” Follow Alexander Rendon Fitness Model
Belgium natural bodybuilder Nathan Mozango continues to improve his physique. He says, “I am still getting leaner and bigger.” The 5’7″, 178 lbs., 19 year old university student is on his journey to Musclemania® Paris in October. “I hope to be another 2-3 lbs. bigger by then. I am focusing on symmetry and conditioning.” Follow Nathan Mozango – Road to Aesthetics
Musclemania® Pro legend and lifetime natural Ade Rai appears here acting as Bima in the legendary Indonesia says, “I am happy to have been a true natural bodybuilder throughout my life. My physique never changes - always healthy and lean. That’s the benefit if we constantly do this sport as a lifestyle and not for the short term.” Ade will is planning to show his hard work in a special guest appearance and performance at MM Asia show in Singapore.
