TOP: Qatar’s Ali Tabrizi (second left) celebrates his victory at the 63rd IFBB Men’s World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships in Doha. BELOW: Ali Al Haddad Sami Ebrahim (centre) of Bahrain smiles with his 90kg gold medal. To his right is Touri Mohammed, the silver medallist from Morocco and Hamid Reza Keshani of Azerbaijan, the bronze medallist, is on Ebrahim’s left. AYYOOB ABDULLA

DOHA: Qatar’s Ali Tabrizi was the overall champion while Egypt bagged the team honours at the 63rd IFBB World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships here recently.

Tabrizi emerged triumphant in 100kg weight category to make the hosts proud at the Doha Sheraton Hotel. It was a packed hall at the Hotel and they all applauded Tabrizi’s achievement.

Tabrizi tallied 21 points in the Heavy weight (100kg) category to clinch the gold medal. In the overal men’s champion standings, he was first with eight points.

Egypt won the team crown with 107 points.

Speaking after the victory, Tabrizi thanked Qatar Weightlifting and Bodybuilding Federation (QWBF) for their continued support.

“I would like to thank Qatar’s federation for the support. Qatar is doing a great job in bodybuilding. They have a bright future,” said Tabrizi.

International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness’ (IFBB) President, Rafael Santonja congratulated the winner and also heaped praise on Qatar for organising a wonderful championship.

“I am very happy with the way the championship was conducted. I want to thank Qatar for organising such a top class event,” Santonja said. There were 167 competitors from 54 countries during the championship.