Date - 8/3/2010
Description - Musclemen Haji Shaaban and Nasser al Maskri did the Sultanate proud bagging gold medals at the world famous Arnold Classic body-building championships in Ohio in the United States on Saturday night. Haji clinched the gold in the 90kg category, while Nasser took the top honours 75kg section. Haji took the title after overcoming stiff competition from 21 best body-builders from across the globe.
The Arnold Classic is sanctioned by the International Federation of Body
Building (IFBB) and is the world’s most prestigious title for professional male bodybuilders. Prior to the championship, Haji has promised to return home with laurels. “I am doing my best. I am following my coach’s instructions strictly. Bagging a medal at Arnold Classic is my dream. It will be a tougher championship than the World Men’s Bodybuilding Amateur Championships (in 2009 when he won gold in 85kg).
But I am confident that I will be able make my country proud,” Haji had said at that time. And on Saturday, the soft-spoken toughman realised his dream and kept his promise. Not the one to rest on the laurels, Haji will now prepare for the 2nd Asian Beach Games in Muscat and World Body Building Championships in Azerbaijan.
HERO’S WELCOME
Both Haji and Nasser will be accorded a hero’s welcome when they arrive in Muscat tomorrow morning from the US. Senior officials of the Ministry of Sports Affairs and Oman Body-building Committee as well as a large number of fans are expected to receive the duo at the Muscat International Airport.
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