By Harez Jamal
Two Kurdish bodybuilders won gold medals at the International Bodybuilding Diamond Cup Championship held in Greece.
Nizar Ghazali and Sardar Ismael took part in the two-day long event, going up against competitors from 40 countries.
Nizar Ghazali competed against 5 others, lifting 85kg weights. He came first, winning the gold medal.
Sardar Ismael also won gold, in the 90 kg weightlifting category.
Ghazali and Ismael had hoped to win the pro-card which qualifies athletes to participate in the international competition Mr. Olympia.
Though they failed to achieve that goal but they are proud of the gold medals they won.
"We can participate in many other championships, although we didn't win the pro-card. We expected that one of us would win it. But the cup was given to a Greek bodybuilder, as the championship was held there in Greece," Ghazali told Rudaw Sport.
"What made me happy was that Sardar and I won gold medals."
Congratulations poured in from Kurdish fans and sports personnel all over the world. Rudaw's coverage of the championship caused an online frenzy, engaging fans from all around the world.
Failure to win the pro-card will not discourage them, Ghazali said. They will be competing again in the United States soon.
"I cannot describe how happy I am. We dedicate our medals to the Peshmerga," Ismael told Rudaw.
