Mamdouh Elssbiay, better known as Big Ramy, took the world by storm once again as he was deservingly crowned Mr Olympia for the second consecutive year.

Egyptians were over the moon when news broke that the mighty man had managed to defend his title in the renowned Mr. Olympia Championship. Big Ramy claimed his first title of Mr. Olympic in the 2020 edition after tough competition with the world’s finest bodybuilders.

The 37-year-old Big Ramy leads the world’s rankings of the first round in the competition which took place in Orlando, Florida. Champions from around the world took part in the 16-player event which saw two other Egyptian athletes making an appearance: Mohamed Shaaban and Hassan Mustafa, both of whom failed to make it to the final round.

In Olympia’s most famous open weight, Ramy took to the stage with an enormous 300-pound physique, aiming at displaying a better body figure than last year’s. And indeed, he did. Everyone attending the event was sure the Egyptian was at his best and that the title was definitely his. Egyptians back home were praying for a repeat of the 2020 astounding achievement. And Ramy did not disappoint.

With the victory, Big Ramy became the first Egyptian, African and Arab bodybuilder to win the title of the most famous such championship in the world twice in a row.

The day before the final competition, Big Ramy took to his Facebook account to call on his fans to support him even from afar. “My beloved fans, I need your prayers as I go to the final competition in order to clinch the title again for Egypt.”

Following his superb performance, Ramy addressed his fans once more, this time to thank them for their support. “It’s home and it will remain here for a very long time. Thanks to all my fans around the world. I made it because of your love and support.”

*A version of this article appears in print in the 14 October, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekl