Kamal Elgargni believes drug testing helped him stay healthy.
Bodybuilding star, Kamal Elgargni, is still competing at the highest level at the age of 51.
In a recent interview on Fouad Abiad’s YouTube channel, Kamal Elgargni spoke about his longevity in the sport of bodybuilding.
Kamal Elgargni’s Amateur Career
Kamal started his amateur bodybuilding career with NABBA and the IFBB. After dominating the majority of international competitions with NABBA, such as the European and World championships, Kamal decided to switch over to the IFBB in 2003.
During his long successful amateur career with the IFBB, Kamal dominated the sport, winning every major title, such as the Asian Championships, World Championships, and the World Games. Kamal went on to win these titles on numerous occasions.
Before the split between the IFBB and NPC in 2017, the IFBB sanctioned the amateur events, while the Pro Division, now known as the IFBB Pro League, sanctioned the Pro events with the IFBB.
During his amateur years with the IFBB, Kamal represented Qatar with the goal of winning major titles, such as the Asian and World Championships.
Kamal was paid very well for his victories. During the interview, Kamal confirmed that he earned approximately $200,000 per year. Not only did Kamal receive lucrative payments for his victories, but he was also given free accommodation and was treated like a king. It’s one of the reasons Kamal did not rush to turn pro.
Kamal attributes drug testing to his long career and good health
When the late Ben Weider created the IFBB Amateur Federation, his dream was to include the sport of bodybuilding in the Olympics.
Over the years, the IFBB had several events sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), such as the World Games, Asian Games, and the Pan American Games.
Major events sanctioned by the IFBB are affiliated with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Kamal confirmed during the interview, that the top three are subject to random drug testing at the majority of IFBB events.
At the age of 51, Kamal can still compete against the best bodybuilders in the world, some being more than half his age. Kamal is still one of the favorites to win the 212 Olympia title this year.
What is Kamal’s secret to maintaining such great condition? Kamal confirmed during the interview that when he competed as an amateur with the IFBB, he had to follow strict rules associated with drug testing.
Kamal refrained from abusing PEDs during his long amateur career, focusing on clean diets and smart training principles. These principles helped Kamal maintain a world-class physique at 51.
Today’s young athletes want quick results, turning to PEDs. The outcome, unfortunately, leads to health complications that sometimes death.
Should the NPC introduce drug testing?
Before the split between the NPC and IFBB in 2017, the NPC was the American affiliate of the IFBB. The NPC was part of the 190 countries affiliated to the IFBB, which means the NPC had to follow the drug testing protocols.
The NPC allegedly never performed any drug testing at their events in the USA, even when they were affiliated with the IFBB.
Immediately after the split in 2017, the President of the NPC, Jim Manion, is on record saying that they are not affiliated with WADA, meaning they will not be performing any drug testing.
In the last few years, several high-profile male and female bodybuilders have passed away at a very young age. The abuse of PEDs has allegedly been said to be the cause of these deaths.
Amateur athletes are also suffering due to the alleged abuse of PEDs. A number of athletes have unfortunately died during and immediately after events.
The IFBB continues to be affiliated with WADA, strengthening their relationship with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The late Ben Weider worked very hard for this partnership between the IFBB and IOC to take place, while IFBB President Dr. Rafael Santonja, continues to strengthen the relationship today.
If the NPC did introduce some type of drug testing, this would anger some athletes, but at the same time they would learn to be more health conscious. The athlete would have to maintain and build a winning physique by focusing more on a clean diet and smart training, not taking any shortcuts, such as PEDs.
The NPC allegedly collects sanction fees from every amateur and pro event that’s organized, meaning they allegedly have the finances to support random drug testing. Not every athlete needs to be tested, the top three or five would be sufficient.
If an athlete such as Kamal Elgargni admits that drug testing is one of the main attributes of his longevity in bodybuilding, this is enough proof that drug testing does have its benefits.
