“I started building my muscles around two years ago. In the beginning, my family used to encourage me to keep my weight under control, but I faced too many problems when I decided to take it to the professional level. Comments like you have become like a man, where is your femininity? became the norm,” Kholoud Issam tells Raseef22. “As long as I am determined to achieve my dream, no one will stand in my way”, she adds.
Although there is little to no financial let alone moral support to bodybuilding, Kholoud’s determination to succeed made her play in contests, even when she was not part of the official team. In her own words, she is a self-proclaimed ambassador of bodybuilding in Egypt and the Arab world at large.
Kholoud wishes to become an international champion, but she turned down many offers to take part in contests, where she would be forced to take off her veil and wear revealing outfits. She still dreams of establishing her own training academy one day.
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I decided to build my muscles to defend myself, as long as the society does not provide any other method
Her muscles certainly come in handy when people offend her, or sexually harass her
When asked if she needs her muscles apart from the training, she affirms that her muscles certainly come in handy when people offend her, namely when they sexually harass her. “I say if you wanna try, just come closer”, says Kholoud.
