Championnat international IFBB Mr. Universe Nigeria 2023 : Five medals including 3 in gold for Benin

The IFBB international championship, Mr. Universe Nigerian 2023 took place on Saturday 21 October in Lagos, Nigeria. Four (04) pays, The Benin, the Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Nigeria, responded to the call of the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB). For a first participation in a major competition of the supreme bodybuilding body, the Beninese athlete, Romain Zannou crushed the competition in his category.

The Beninese who discovered for the first time a major competition of the supreme bodybuilding body in the world were not ridiculous. Of the six(06) best athletes to have posed, five(05) were on the podium. But the most notable fact remains the consecration of the Beninese champion of champions, Romain Zannou who crushed the competition.

Benin was the big revelation of the IFBB Mr International Championship. Universe Nigerian 2023 in Lagos. No one could sell the skin of Amazons and Cheetahs dearly, especially since the bigwigs of other nations responded. But the Beninese athletes kept in their minds, the adage that says : ”It is by the work that we recognize the craftsman.”. In front of an audience mainly dominated by Nigerians, they convinced the members of the jury as well as the public in the different categories. At the end of a successful late afternoon, five (05) out of the six (06) athletes entered in this competition by the Beninese Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (FBBF), went up and down the podium with trophies, medals, certificates of participation from the global umbrella organization, international IFBB cards and an IFBB PRO CARD, for the best Beninese athlete, all categories of the season 2023, Romain Zannou. This card allows him to enter the circle of professional bodybuilders recognized by the IFBB.

Aligned in the Men’s classic physique open category, Romain Zannou crushed the competition to finish champion. He beat Harry Sampson of Nigeria and Burkinabè Souleymane Song Naba, one of the elders. In the Men’s bodybuilding open category, the two Beninese, Mohamed Nachirou and Marius Bignon Abadahoué took on the giants. If the first failed at the foot of the podium, the second won the bronze medal, synonymous with 3rd place. Regarding the Men’s Physique Open, Djamal Deen do Rego Djamal Deen from Benin was ranked 2nd and won the silver medal and a certificate of participation from the IFBB. At the level of the women's table, the Beninese Sofiath Houndévè, in the Women’s bikini open category and Jocelyne Adjohou in the Women’s physique open were uncompromising.

At the time of assessment,  Benin won three gold medals, a silver medal and a bronze medal. The harvest was very good for the troops at Bienvenu Vodounou, president of the Beninese Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (FBBF), who accompanied the Beninese delegation to Lagos.

“We promised it and we did it. It makes me happy to win this place and obtain this card that I have dreamed of for a long time.. The work doesn't stop there. We worked hard and it paid off. We are proud to be Beninese. We thank all the Beninese who stayed behind us through their prayers and support. We are not going to give up. We will arm ourselves to meet future challenges”, said the captain of the Cheetahs, Romain Zannou.

The national coach, Évrard Gbozinkpa was also proud of his foals who achieved a resounding feat in Lagos. " I am really happy. I said it at the beginning, I noticed it at the end. But a disappointment, one of my athletes should compete alone. But we upgraded him by putting him among the heavyweights. Au finish, he got a bronze medal. It’s already a satisfaction”, said Évrard Gbozinkpa.

The Beninese Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness(FBBF) is delighted to have succeeded in this bet. Indeed, it is for the first time that Benin has reached an IFBB podium and this is crowned with great success. “This is proof that when we work, it always pays. The athletes followed the diet well, actively participated in training and we have just finished with trophies and medals. We are very happy ", rejoiced Welcome Vodounou, president of the Beninese Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) as well as other officials present in Lagos.

Etienne YEMADJE (Coll)