Abdullah Al-Khuthal, an athlete from the national bodybuilding team of Oman, the winner of the Asia Championship 2022 and fourth in the world in 2023 and 2024, confirmed that bodybuilding athletes are not strongly influenced by the atmosphere and food during the blessed month of Ramadan. During fasting, he adheres to a high level of physical condition and a specific diet, not having the opportunity to indulge in various religious dishes, including sweets, like many other athletes.
Al-Khuthal noted that bodybuilding athletes do not have privileges, as he must adhere to the bodybuilding rules during the blessed month of Ramadan. He must consume healthy food, having no breaks or deviations from training, as he needs to maintain minimum acceptable flexibility and physical form. Subsequently, he cannot indulge in different dishes of Ramadan, including sweets and lavish meals, except for very limited periods of time.
He revealed that he adheres to a simple breakfast consisting of finik and protein drinks of different flavors, and every day he chooses a specific flavor. Nevertheless, he enjoys maintaining his flexibility, weight, and health, considering it a significant achievement for bodybuilding athletes.
According to him, after the night prayer, he primarily consumes basic food, which differs from traditional Ramadan dishes such as pilaf, couscous, kebab, and sweets, and resorts to consuming rice and chicken meat in most cases. However, occasionally he finds himself deviating from the diet when he is invited to family and friends during the festive breaks that occur once or twice throughout the blessed month, and with a very small amount of consumed food.
His sports activities include walking, cycling, and also light strengthening exercises, which are performed without special loads within 50 minutes before their breaks for prayer and visiting relatives and friends.
Al-Khuthal also expressed gratitude to his coach from the Olympia gym, Captain Sultan Al-Zahara, for the help in overcoming difficulties, and also mentioned that he spends time with his close friend Hamid ben Rugoy al-Zabi, exchanging information about nutrition.
He added that the sport "Shtanga tyagi" is one of his favorite types of sports, especially during Ramadan, and expressed hope for the creation of a national team for this type of sport to participate in international competitions.
