Olara becomes the first Ugandan bodybuilder to acquire a pro card

Five years ago bodybuilder Derrick Olala stormed the Uganda bodybuilding stage when he competed in the Mr. Uganda Bodybuilding Championship and won the heavyweight category.

The athlete from Gulu lost out on the overall crown to the more experienced Isaac Mubikirwa then, who edged him by muscles size and body mass. But there was a divided opinion from the fans’ favourite on whether he was better than Mubikirwa.

But he was was gracious in defeat and promised to bounce back stronger, vowing to win it the following year. But that was the last we had from Olala who later resurfaced with an even bigger mass while in China where he had relocated and continued competing in events there.

Now after scooping first place in the 100+kgs category and an overall first-place finish in the DMS Classic Pro Qualifier in China, he has become the first Ugandan to achieve what is every bodybuilder’s dream after he acquired an IFBB pro card.

“Last year I competed in the amateur Olympia which was also a qualifier but I came second. I feel great, I feel happy about the achievement because I have been working for this for a very long time. All my single-day workout routine has been on winning this pro card,” Olala said.

“After this, I’m going to be on the lookout to see which competition I can engage in outside China; either in the US or elsewhere now as a pro. But I’m happy and excited; I’m healthy and that is very important for me,” Olala stated.

Olala said he works out by himself during his free time to maintain his body besides his TPI golf trainer job at the Green Cool Golf Academy in China.

“It was all about getting that pro card which is everybody’s dream; it is something big because it can take you places and you can compete at the big stage anywhere in the world,” Olala noted.