Bodybuilding: Mr Afghanistan does not show off his thighs

Cover those thighs that the Taliban can't see. On the long scalloped stand, the bodybuilders who exhibit overdeveloped musculature at the Mr. Afghanistan competition curiously wear long shorts reaching below the knee.

No more skin-tight mini-briefs in force until the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, which allowed them to admire their voluminous quadriceps and adductors.

Strictly applying Islamic law, the Taliban prohibited competitors from showing their thighs and required the wearing of long shorts.

Afghan bodybuilders participate in the Mr Afghanistan competition in Kabul, July 10, 2024 © AFP – Wakil KOHSAR

“In bodybuilding, that poses a problem”, admits to AFP Hamidullah Sherzai, crowned Mr Afghanistan three times and coach, at 49, of the national bodybuilding team.

“We are obliged to follow Sharia law.” According to the precepts of Islamic law relating to modesty, “a man cannot expose the part of his body from the navel to below the knee”, he explains.

Problem: in Mr. Afghanistan's rating, the upper body counts for 50%, but so do the thighs.

A Taliban security officer (L) attends the Mr Afghanistan bodybuilding competition on July 10, 2024 in Kabul © AFP – Wakil KOHSAR

It is rumored that the members of the jury see the candidates only wearing underwear, backstage, before their performance in front of the public.

In the immense gymnasium of the Kabul Stadium which hosted the great annual bodybuilding festival in the middle of the week, more than 200 men paraded in long shorts, by category, in front of the jury and Taliban luminaries.

– Bodybuilding tradition –

Before the bodybuilders enter the scene, the members of their staff s They are busy around them: they coat their bodies with a coloring cream, spray them with a spray, then fan them. The skin takes on a dark and shiny shade, a little surreal.

An Afghan bodybuilder prepares for the Mr Afghanistan competition, July 9, 2024 in Kabul © AFP – Wakil KOHSAR

On the stage and in a burst of decibels, the bodybuilders take the classic poses of the discipline, linking together the figures.

They puff out superhuman chests, jiggle their hypertrophied pectorals, hollow their bellies while showing off chocolate bars. Then they turn their backs and raise their arms to show off muscles unsuspected by ordinary mortals.

Hands on the back of their necks or knees on the ground, they continue their muscular parade in front of several hundred spectators – exclusively male – who scream and whistle to encourage their favorite.

Afghan bodybuilders participate in the Mr Afghanistan competition, July 10, 2024 in Kabul © AFP – Wakil KOHSAR

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“Our beloved country must be rebuilt”: the sound system spits out a deafening Taliban song, the only kind of music authorized by Kabul.

In a Afghanistan with a long tradition of bodybuilding and which has won numerous international awards, bodybuilding still arouses passion.

Men use their scarves to cool down an Afghan bodybuilder who warms up backstage before competing in the Mr. Afghanistan competition, July 10, 2024 in Kabul © AFP – Wakil KOHSAR

Under the effect of the strong foreign presence and American cultural influence, weight rooms had sprouted like mushrooms throughout the country during the 20 years of occupation by the Western coalition which had chased the Taliban from power.

During their first reign (1996-2001), the latter tolerated bodybuilding, but on condition that the men wear the shalwar, the baggy pants of the traditional Afghan outfit, or pants.

– “An opportunity to have fun” –

Today, bodybuilding being one of the rare hobbies still allowed to them, the Afghans put up a brave face against bad luck.

Afghan bodybuilders participate in the Mr Afghanistan competition, July 10, 2024 in Kabul © AFP – Wakil KOHSAR

More than wearing long shorts, fans are concerned about funding.

“Many people are interested, but the big obstacle it’s the financial problems,” explains Khwaja Sediqi, 41, a member of the national bodybuilding team.

“Our athletes have to pay club dues and have a good diet, while they receive no help,” he says. Or 1,500 to 1,800 Afghanis per month, around 20 euros – a sum in this country.

Afghans attend the Mr Afghanistan competition on July 10, 2024 in Kabul © AFP – Wakil KOHSAR

Najibullah Ahadi, a 30-year-old bodybuilder present in the audience, laments that those who participate in competitions abroad “pay almost all expenses out of their own pocket” whereas “before it was the government”.

“We have very talented athletes who were unable to go to international competitions because the costs were too high”, he regrets .

But, “Afghanistan is today in such a situation that we don't have many reasons to be happy”, so bodybuilding “is a good opportunity to have fun”.

Afghan bodybuilder Mohammad Ayoub Azemi (c) wins the Mr Afghanistan competition, July 10, 2024 in Kabul © AFP – Wakil KOHSAR

Coming second in the “fitness” category, Noor Rehman Rehmani, 24, also regrets “the decline in support” from the authorities, but is pleased that competitions continue for “one of the disciplines that has the most fans.

It is Mohammad Ayoub Azemi, 33 years old, originally from Herat (west), who was designated Mr Afghanistan. And even a 103 kilo mirror cabinet can have difficulty swallowing back sobs.

“I slept in a car after the earthquakes” in Herat in last October, he said, but “now I'm Mr. Muscle!”

His victory doesn't bring him any money, just a cup and a medal.

But what matters most: immense prestige.

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