Egypt top, medals elude Uganda

Dec 10, 2007

EGYPT has retained the Africa body building title for the third consecutive year. Their men’s team of nine won seven gold and two silver medals at the championship held in the north eastern town of Batna in Algeria.

By Michael Nsubuga in Algeria

EGYPT has retained the Africa body building title for the third consecutive year. Their men’s team of nine won seven gold and two silver medals at the championship held in the north eastern town of Batna in Algeria.

Uganda failed to pick a medal. Algeria who fielded two teams of ten each, came second after collecting six silver and two gold.

The most excited body builder on the final day was arguably Mohamed Nour Eddine of Algeria.

The dramatic body builder danced with joy after being declared winner after narrowly edging Egypt’s Yehia Rezk Mokutar in the competitive 70kg category.

Uganda’s team of three sponsored by Nile Special Lager, had Ivan Kazibwe Byekwaso make the finals in the under 85 category but finished 5th out of nine competitors.

Byekwaso blamed his woes on being fielded in a slightly higher weight.
Fred Munyagwa and Uganda’s bronze medalist from last years competition John Bosco Ssebabi, were eliminated in the preliminaries.

They blamed late preparation and an exhausting travel route that saw them spend two days at Dubai Airport, as their undoing.

Seven countries participated in the championship. They were Algeria the hosts, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, Libya, Tunisia and Egypt.

Africa body building Federation secretary Same Bachir said the poor turn up was due to financial problems affecting the member associations.

Next year’s championship will be hosted by Tunisia.

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