Kurdish bodybuilder promises to raise Kurdistan flag at France tournament

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – After dedicating nearly 12 years of his life to bodybuilding, a Kurdish athlete is ready to participate in an international competition where he hopes to raise the Kurdistan flag proudly.

Ari Fuad, a 28-year-old from the Akre region, has won many awards over the years and has established himself among the bodybuilding community in the Kurdistan Region.

In 2013, he won a bodybuilding championship in Duhok province, and in 2017, he came out on top in a Kurdistan Region-wide physique tournament.

“For the past 12 years, I have devoted my life to bodybuilding,” Fuad told Kurdistan 24. “My goal is to achieve greatness in this sport on the world stage.”

On April 14, the Kurdish athlete will join other competitors around the world to participate in an international bodybuilding physique contest in France. However, Fuad will be registered under the banner of Iraq.

“It’s true, I will be competing for Iraq in France, but I am a Kurd who will participate in this competition,” he stated.

“I will raise the Kurdistan flag when I am on the stage and will do my best to win many awards on behalf of Kurdistan.”

The 28-year-old said he is confident that he will return to Kurdistan with his flag and having won many awards.

His hopes and dreams for the future are to win more prestigious awards at international tournaments so he can raise his Kurdistan flag with pride.

(Additional reporting by Ari Hussein)