Egyptian bodybuilder Mamdouh Elssbiay, also known as “Big Ramy” has been crowned Mr Olympia for the second straight year.
Last year, he became only the second bodybuilder from the Arab world to win the honour since the contest started in 1965. Samir Bannout, known as “the Lion of Lebanon” won in 1983.
After the win, Elssbiay took to Instagram to thank his fans. “[The trophy] Sandow is home and it will remain here for a very long time. Thank you to all my fans around the world. I made it because of your love and support,” he wrote.
The competition took place in Florida with a live crowd in attendance.
Elssbiay, 37, has now competed in eight Olympias – the professional men's bodybuilding contest – in total since 2013. He’s the first bodybuilder to win back-to-back titles since Phil Heath won seven straight times from 2011 to 2017.
Elssbiay previously won the People’s Champ Award, which is voted for by fans, in 2018. He’s the first bodybuilder to win both Mr Olympia – which was claimed by Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1970 – and the People’s Champ Award.
Born in Kafr El Sheikh, Egypt in 1984, Elssbiay started his professional bodybuilding career in Kuwait in 2010. He has won a number of international competitions in the past including the New York Pro and Arnold Classic Europe. He also finished third in the Arnold Classic in 2020.
Later in October, Elssbiay along with eight-time former Mr Olympia Ronnie Coleman will headline Dubai Muscle Show at Dubai World Trade Centre. The fitness and wellness exhibition event will run from Thursday to Saturday, October 28 to 30.
The Mr Olympia top five for 2021:
Winner – Mamdouh Elssbiay, $400,000
Second place – Brandon Curry, $150,000
Third place – Hadi Choopan, $100,000
Fourth place – Hunter Labrada, $40,000
Fifth place – Nick Walker, $35,000
If you go
The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The biog
Family: He is the youngest of five brothers, of whom two are dentists.
Celebrities he worked on: Fabio Canavaro, Lojain Omran, RedOne, Saber Al Rabai.
Where he works: Liberty Dental Clinic
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
The Freedom Artist
By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)
