SAMI AL-HADDAD – THE FIRST AMATEUR MR. OLYMPIA WINNER! 2011 London, UK March 19-20th
By Andrew Michalak
IFBB has opened a new chapter in her history: organized the first ever inaugural Joe Weider’s Mr. Olympia IFBB Amateur Championships. This new IFBB President, Dr. Rafael Santonja’s initiative seems to be the bull’s eye decision, attracted dozens of the top IFBB amateur bodybuilders from all over the world. And much more could be expected (and declared their participation) but the Libyan Civil War which exploded internationally on the day of the contest and the international tension which has been arising during the weeks prior the event stooped many teams from Africa and Asia. In the normal, peaceful condition much more athletes would participate in. The event was scheduled two weeks after the Arnold Amateur Championships, so many athletes were in shape but also a couple of new joined.
The event took place on Saturday, March 19th, 2011 in the ICC Auditorium, Excel Center, in London, UK. The contest, organized by the IFBB, United Kingdom Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation and in cooperation with Mr. Robin Chang, promoter of the annual Olympia Weekend in Las Vegas, included 6 bodyweight categories and the most prestigious overall class to point out the first Amateur Mr. Olympia winner. Nearly 40 top amateur bodybuilders battled for this new attractive and wanted title. First the class winners were selected:
70 kg category: Jonatan Reverte (Spain) 75 kg category: Karol Malecki (Poland) 85 kg category: Steven Graham (United Kingdom) 90 kg category: Sami Al-Haddad (Bahrain) 100 kg category: Hamdullah Aykutlug (Turkey) +100 kg category: Tomas Bures (Czech Republic)
Then the six champions from all bodyweight categories entered the stage and the battle for the Amateur Mr. Olympia title began. There were three main candidates to the title, who were running a very close battle: Al-Haddad, Aykutlug and Bures. Al-Haddad is a very well-known bodybuilder, two-time IFBB world champion (2009 and 2010) but his recent start at the 2011 Arnold Amateur was not so successful for him. He lost to Alexander Kodzoev (Russia) and Lukas Osladil (Czech Republic). Kodzoev didn’t come to London but Osladil came and his return match against Al-Haddad in 90 kg category was the most spectacular battle of the first part of the contest. This time Al-Haddad appeared to be a winner by 10 points, mostly earned in the comparison’s round.
But, maybe even greater sensation was the comeback of the 2000 world men’s champion Hamdullah Aykutlug. The Turkish star first appeared at the 2010 World Juniors and Masters Championships in Antalya, where he won the overall masters title but this time he decided to combat against the best men (seniors). It was clear from the very beginning that he is in the best condition among all participants, showing incredible hardness and definition (hamstrings, glutes, delts).
But two other athletes: Bures and Al-Haddad were close to him. Bures was the most muscular one. Losing to Alexey Lesukov in Columbus in 100 kg category he decided to increase his bodyweight over 100 kg, became fuller and bigger but maintained the top muscle quality. Al-Haddad displayed his marvelous body harmony, combined with extremely low bodyfat level and deep separation between muscle groups. The judges had a difficult task and finally most of them came to the conclusion that Al-Haddad presented the most complete physique, combining the perfect body lines with top muscle density and details. Five judges placed him in the 1st position, while two voted for Aykutlug and two for Bures.
Al-Haddad declined a Pro card which was accepted by Bures who then competed in the British Grand Prix where he met the top pro stars: Branch Warren, Ronny Rockel, Johnnie Jackson, Roelly Winklaar, Michael Kefalianos, to mention some of the best. He placed 10th.
Our special thanks for this report to Andrew Michalak, IFBB.com, James Collier and Les Willis - Muscletalk.co.uk Top 3 pictured below, left to right: AL-HADDAD, AYKUTLUG & BURES. Final Results "Master Sheets" at the bottom.
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