Bodybuilding: IFBB Elite Pro Bodybuilding – Arnold Classics 2023 |23 May 2023
Top-five finish for Mekdachi in pro debut
- Andy Anthony grabs silver in the amateur 75kg category
Local professional poser Ziad Mekdachi could only manage a fifth-place finish in his inaugural competition as a pro bodybuilder, posing at the 2023 International Federation of Bodybuilding Elite Pro Bodybuilding – Arnold Classics, held at the Ruimsig Stadium, Roodepoort, Johannesburg, South Africa, from May 19 to 21.
At the same event, bodybuilder Andy Anthony grabbed a silver medal after finishing second in the 75kg category of the amateur bodybuilding competition.
Named the Arnold Classics, Africa Multi Sport Festival and Lifestyle Expo is South Africa's biggest international multi-sport festival and health, fitness and lifestyle expo.
Mekdachi became the first professional bodybuilder from the Indian Ocean region after getting his IFBB elite pro card in May 2019, at the age of 39.
He received his card after winning the 100kg category and the overall prize at the 4th Arnold Classic Africa 2019 IFBB pro qualifier organised by the IFBB Europe inside the Sandton Convention Centre in Gauteng, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Roland Duval