WATCH: Disabled Kurd trains daily, dreams of competing in fitness competition

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – A young Kurd from the Kurdistan Region has not let his disability stop him from realizing his dream of competing in a fitness competition.

Dilovan Khalil, a 28-year-old from Erbil, suffers from a rare muscle disability in his lower body which directly affects the mobility in his legs.

Khalil has dealt with this disability since he was a child, but he has found solace at the gym and puts his challenges behind him when he is training.

“The muscles in my legs are short. I have gone to Germany to seek medical help, and so far, there are good results,” he told Kurdistan 24. “Since I began coming to the gym and training, I have felt a lot better.”

Although Khalil experiences many challenges daily due to his disability, he has not let that stop him from coming to the gym.

One of Khalil’s dreams is to compete in a fitness competition. He is currently preparing and training for that purpose.

“My main goal is to compete in a bodybuilding competition. First, locally within the Kurdistan Region and then perhaps on the international stage,” he said.

Others around him also commend Khalil for his determination and will in the gym. His trainer Faramosh Ramazan told Kurdistan 24 the 28-year-old demonstrates exceptional perseverance in the gym.

“We help him every day and train him. He has great determination and will to succeed,” Ramazan said. “He never rejects any exercises we give him and performs them even better than someone who is able-bodied.”

Khalil is determined to achieve all his goals and his drive to succeed does not let his disability get in the way of that.  

(Additional reporting by Kurdistan 24 correspondent Derbaz Ahmed)