Moustafa Ismail's eye-popping biceps and triceps are a result of a punishing
workout regime that began after a guest at his uncle's wedding mocked his
overweight frame in his native Egypt.
More than a decade later, the 24-year-old bodybuilder says he was surprised by
recognition in the 2013 edition of the Guinness World Records as owner of
the largest upper-arm muscles on earth.
"They call me Popeye, the Egyptian Popeye," an amused Ismail said of
the media reaction after the announcement in September. But unlike the
cartoon character, he says he "hates spinach and loves chicken".
Poultry, seafood and shakes provide nearly seven pounds of protein he needs
every day to nourish the massive muscles, Ismail said while working out at
the gym in the Boston suburb of Milford.
About nine pounds of carbohydrates, at least three gallons of water as well as
various mineral and vitamin supplements account for the remaining sources of
sustenance, he says.
Ismail quietly begun building his muscles in his Egyptian hometown of
Alexandria before moving to the United States in 2007 and settling in the
Massachusetts town of Franklin, located about 27 miles southwest of Boston.
Keen to pay for his gym membership and hefty dietary requirements, he worked two jobs as a gas station attendant for several years. He gave up one job after his Colombian wife complained that he was pushing himself too hard.
And then Guinness World Records came calling, offering him an all-expenses-paid trip to London for a signature appearance with the world's shortest woman and other anomalies highlighting the latest edition of world records.
Ismail said he was stunned by a barrage of allegations from strangers who claimed that he either used steroids or had implants in his arms. Others speculated that he might have injected his muscles with a synthetic oil substance known as synthol that is used by bodybuilders to artificially fluff muscular tissues.
He rejected the online accusations as baseless and malicious, saying his arms don't bear any scars that would have been inflicted by surgery.
Financial pressures from supporting a wife in the United States and relatives in Egypt, he said, don't leave him with spare cash to buy pricey synthetic oils that some bodybuilders inject on their muscles to impress onlookers.
Besides, Ismail said, he recently travelled to Tokyo, he appeared in a Fuji TV documentary programme during which independent physicians collected blood samples from him and subjected his massive muscles to X-Ray and ultrasound tests to determine whether there were artificial elements there.
Still, the surprisingly vocal criticism forced Guinness officials to hastily removed references to Ismail's record on its website. A spokesperson for Guinness said in October that Guinness was conducting research with medical specialists and reviewing Ismail's category.
The spokesperson did not respond to questions emailed later seeking details on when Guinness is likely to conclude the review, what it entails and what experts will look at.
Ismail said he is taking a lot of risks every time he lifts heavy weights to work on his muscles.
That painful reality was driven home several years ago when he was doing squats with 800 pounds of weight in Egypt. He lost his balance and the metal left him with injuries that prevented him from working on his thighs until a few weeks ago.
Source: APTN
Keen to pay for his gym membership and hefty dietary requirements, he worked two jobs as a gas station attendant for several years. He gave up one job after his Colombian wife complained that he was pushing himself too hard.
And then Guinness World Records came calling, offering him an all-expenses-paid trip to London for a signature appearance with the world's shortest woman and other anomalies highlighting the latest edition of world records.
Ismail said he was stunned by a barrage of allegations from strangers who claimed that he either used steroids or had implants in his arms. Others speculated that he might have injected his muscles with a synthetic oil substance known as synthol that is used by bodybuilders to artificially fluff muscular tissues.
He rejected the online accusations as baseless and malicious, saying his arms don't bear any scars that would have been inflicted by surgery.
Financial pressures from supporting a wife in the United States and relatives in Egypt, he said, don't leave him with spare cash to buy pricey synthetic oils that some bodybuilders inject on their muscles to impress onlookers.
Besides, Ismail said, he recently travelled to Tokyo, he appeared in a Fuji TV documentary programme during which independent physicians collected blood samples from him and subjected his massive muscles to X-Ray and ultrasound tests to determine whether there were artificial elements there.
Still, the surprisingly vocal criticism forced Guinness officials to hastily removed references to Ismail's record on its website. A spokesperson for Guinness said in October that Guinness was conducting research with medical specialists and reviewing Ismail's category.
The spokesperson did not respond to questions emailed later seeking details on when Guinness is likely to conclude the review, what it entails and what experts will look at.
Ismail said he is taking a lot of risks every time he lifts heavy weights to work on his muscles.
That painful reality was driven home several years ago when he was doing squats with 800 pounds of weight in Egypt. He lost his balance and the metal left him with injuries that prevented him from working on his thighs until a few weeks ago.
Source: APTN
Aku nak sangat body ketul-ketul tapi kalau dah pelik camni bagi sejuta pon aku tak nak. Alahai nak pakai baju pon susah.
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