Finally... Sudan Enters the World of Professional Bodybuilding for the First Time
08 November, 2026
Kuwait – (Sudanow Magazine)
November 6 was no ordinary day for the Sudanese people in general, and for athletes in particular. The Sudanese and international sports scene witnessed a historic day when Sudanese champion Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed, known as "Zaitoun," achieved what no Sudanese had achieved before: obtaining his professional card from the IFBB Pro League. This opens the door for Sudan to compete in the world's biggest championships, in an unprecedented achievement for Sudanese athletes.
The achievement came during the championship held on November 6 and 7 in Kuwait City, as part of a series of sporting events that included qualifying competitions for amateurs and others for professionals, under the umbrella of the IFBB Pro League, with the participation of athletes striving to achieve results that qualify them to advance in the professional world.
His coach, Hassan Saeed Abu Yazan, said: "Sudan has achieved a historic feat we have waited for for many years," adding that Ahmed earned the card in the Classic Physique category and that, God willing, he is on his way to Mr. Olympia.
*Why Is This Achievement Important?*
Because he is the first Sudanese to earn a Pro League card, and this is the first professional card in Sudan's history specifically in the Classic Physique category. Sudan was completely absent from the professional map despite having great talent. This achievement was accomplished under very difficult circumstances: war, travel difficulties, and difficulty in securing the supplements and nutrition that a bodybuilder desperately needs.
*What Is the Classic Physique Category?*
It is the category in which the Sudanese champion achieved his feat, and it is currently the most popular category in the world. It was introduced in 2016 with the aim of returning to the beauty of the golden age of bodybuilding, the era of the legend Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Its defining characteristics are beauty and symmetry before bulk. There is a maximum weight limit based on height, as excessive bulk is not allowed. The desired physique is broad shoulders, a very narrow waist in a V-Taper shape, and proportionate legs.
*So What Comes After This Victory?*
This victory does not mean that Zaitoun has won Mr. Olympia; it means he has officially become a professional athlete. He is now eligible to compete in professional championships, and if he wins two competitions or accumulates enough points, he will be the first Sudanese in history to qualify for the Mr. Olympia World Championship.
This achievement is not just an individual accomplishment; it is a true beginning for placing Sudan on the world bodybuilding map. Despite the war that the people of Sudan are enduring and the bitter reality it imposes, legends like Ahmed Zaitoun create a bright reality from the heart of challenge, and raise Sudan's name high.
History is written only by the great and the makers of glory. And today, Sudan's name resonates loudly in the strongest international arenas thanks to the legendary Captain Ahmed Zaitoun, who has proven to everyone that a Sudanese can achieve the impossible despite what he faces.
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