Haitham Zawech, 30 years old, never dreamed while driving his taxi to transport customers across different neighborhoods of Beni Khalled that he would become the first Khalledian person to practice bodybuilding.
At the end of 2016, Haitham began bodybuilding as a hobby to relieve the fatigue from long days of taxi driving. Gradually, he developed a passion for this sport and wanted to learn more about it. Eventually, he decided to obtain a certification as a bodybuilding trainer.
He took online training courses to enhance his athletic skills. In 2018, he committed himself physically and mentally to participate in renowned bodybuilding championships. He invested his own money into a fitness program and a dietary regimen that qualified him to become a global player.
After four years of preparation, Haitham participated as an individual player in the Diamond Camp Championship in Morocco. He was the only Tunisian participant in the competition, which included several countries such as Algeria, Turkey, and Tunisia. He became the first Tunisian player to secure the fifth position in this competition.
Haitham was not satisfied with just this achievement; he aimed higher. He participated in the Mr. Olympia Pro California Championship, a qualifying championship in Tunisia for professional competitions, encompassing various categories like bodybuilding, physique, classic physique, and more.
Among competitors from over 30 international countries, Haitham managed to secure the fifth position, which did not qualify him for a professional card in global competitions.
"My primary goal in participating in this competition was to obtain a professional card. This time, I received financial support from businessman Saad Boujbel, who supported me in my sports journey," Haitham told 'Al-Mushahil'.
With support and training, Haitham improved to achieve the third position and the bronze medal in the Tunisia Bodybuilding Championship held in November 2022. Finally, this position qualified him to participate in the Mr. Olympia Championship.
Haitham says, "Now I can receive a national championship invitation from the Tunisian Federation, and if I win, I'll be able to compete in the global Mr. Olympia Championship held in Las Vegas, USA."
Haitham explained that his biggest challenge during his sports journey was funding himself for international bodybuilding competitions, wishing for support from businessmen for this sport. Especially because it's an individual sport that requires significant financial investment beyond the means of many young people.
Haitham shares his love for bodybuilding on social media, having many followers who positively engage with his posts, offering advice for new athletes regarding their dietary plans and the suitable regimen to follow. He also recommends exercises that help individuals train and improve themselves.
Despite Tunisia's lack of support for participants in bodybuilding, Haitham says, "I will continue my journey in the long road of bodybuilding. Soon, I will etch my name in the history of this sport in Tunisia because sports fundamentally are about determination, something I will never lose. I hope to receive financial support to prepare for competing in global competitions at my best."