Firas Altwaij

GRAND RAPIDS - Firas Altwaij, 27, and Haider Ali, 35 were recognized recently for their success as bodybuilders in two different weight classes. 

The two Dearborn residents both won second place in the Michigan challenge championships held during June in Redford, where people from six different states competed. 

On Aug. 11, both won first place in the Central States Championships held in the Grand Rapids area. Afterwards they were qualified to compete in the 2013 USA national shows, which will take place in  Pittsburg, Chicago and Ohio. They will most likely be competing in Pittsburg only. 

Haider Ali

There will be competitors from all over the states, Mexico and Canada. 

Both athletes have been training intensively for years now. Throughout the process they’ve been assisted by their friends and coach Emad Alabdely who was also a pro-bodybuilder and has trained many other young athletes in the Middle East and the U.S.A. Both Altwaij and Ali thanked the community, family and friends for all their support.