Afghanistan’s leading bodybuilder, Ali Bilal, has secured second place in the Men’s Physique category at the 2025 Mr. Olympia in Las Vegas, reaffirming his status among the world’s elite competitors.
Kabul | By Taib Khatizwal
When Afghan bodybuilder Ali Bilal stepped onto the stage at the 2025 Mr. Olympia in Las Vegas this week, the spotlight was not just on his physique, but also on the symbol he has become for his country. discipline, resilience, and international recognition. Finishing second in the Men’s Physique division, Bilal once again placed Afghanistan’s name among the sport’s top performers.
The competition, held from October 9 to 12, featured the world’s top athletes. Britain’s Ryan Terry claimed the gold medal, while Bilal took silver after an exceptionally close contest judged on symmetry, conditioning, and presentation. It was Bilal’s second consecutive runner-up finish at the world’s most prestigious bodybuilding event.
The Las Vegas result capped a remarkable year for Bilal. Earlier in March, he won the Arnold Classic 2025 in Columbus, Ohio, a victory that placed him firmly among the sport’s dominant figures. His consistent performance at both the Arnold Classic and Mr. Olympia this season underlines a level of form and confidence that few athletes achieve.
Judges and analysts credited Bilal’s “exceptional definition, balance, and stage composure” for his strong showing. In a category where overall aesthetics matter more than size, Bilal’s proportional build and presentation have become his trademark.
“This is not just about muscles,” said an IFBB official after the contest. “Ali Bilal brings artistry and discipline to the stage, and that combination earns respect everywhere.”
Bilal’s journey began far from the bright lights of international arenas. Training under challenging conditions in Kabul before moving abroad, he built his career through self-discipline and community support. Without the sponsorships or facilities available to most of his rivals, his rise represents a triumph of perseverance over circumstance.
Afghan sports observers say Bilal’s success is reshaping perceptions of what Afghan athletes can achieve.
“He’s opened a door for a new generation,” said Ahmad Sami Haqqani, a sports journalist in Kabul. “In a country with limited opportunities for fitness and competitive sport, his achievements show that world class performance is still possible.”
Beyond his medals, Bilal has become known for speaking out on behalf of athletes in the Men’s Physique division. After winning the Arnold Classic, he publicly criticized what he saw as dismissive attitudes toward the category and called for equal recognition and prize distribution.
He also responded to comments from bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger about the division’s presentation style, insisting that Men’s Physique athletes “train and prepare with the same intensity and professionalism as any other class.” His stance earned widespread support from fellow competitors who have long felt overshadowed by the sport’s larger divisions.
Bilal’s silver medal resonates deeply in Afghanistan, where sports often struggle for funding and attention. His performance has inspired thousands of young Afghans who see in him a rare symbol of success and international visibility.
Sports officials in Kabul and the Afghan diaspora have praised his achievement as a “moment of pride for all Afghans,” noting that it highlights the potential of the country’s youth when given a platform to compete globally.
“Ali Bilal has shown that talent and commitment can overcome any barrier,” said Mohammad Asif Sultani, an Afghan sports coach based in Europe. “He is not only an athlete, he’s an ambassador for a new image of Afghanistan.”
With two consecutive runner-up finishes at Mr. Olympia and a major title from the Arnold Classic, Bilal now stands on the brink of becoming the first Afghan to win bodybuilding’s top honor. His focus, he says, remains on improving and inspiring.
“I compete for my country and for every young Afghan who dreams of achieving something great,” Bilal told international media after the final. “This silver is not an end, it’s motivation to come back stronger.”
The Mr. Olympia is the world’s premier bodybuilding competition, founded in 1965 by Joe Weider. The Men’s Physique category, introduced in 2013, emphasizes proportion, symmetry, and overall aesthetics rather than extreme muscle mass. Ali Bilal’s back-to-back podium finishes mark the highest achievement by any Afghan athlete in the event’s history.