Dina Al-Sabah

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Sheikha Dina Ali Fahad Al-Salim Al-Sabah (born February 28, 1974) is a professional figure competitor from Kuwait. She stands out from the rest of the Figure competitors for being the first and only female Arab athlete to achieve pro card status as of 2006; as well as the first female Arab Athlete to ever stand on the Olympia stage.

1 Biography
2 Vital Stats
3 Bodybuilding philosophy
4 Contest history
5 Reference
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] Biography

Dina Al-Sabah was born in Beirut, Lebanon. She is from Kuwaiti, Syrian, Turkish decent. She was born as a member of the Al-Sabah family (she is close lineage due to the fact that her grandfather was the son of Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah; ruler of Kuwaiti from 1917 to 1921) The Al-Sabahs have ruled Kuwait for over more than two centuries. Ms. Al-Sabah was raised in Egypt, Morocco, Italy and the United Kingdom, and because of this, she was exposed to many different cultures at a young age. Born a natural athlete, she started horse-back riding at the age of five. Dina Al-Sabah continued her active life style throughout her high school years competing in equestrian shows and participating in track, volleyball and basketball at The American School of Tangier in Morocco.

Due to her various travels, today Dina is fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Arabic. She also holds several degrees: B.S. in electrical engineering, M.S. in telecommunications and computers, and an MBA, all from the George Washington University in Washington, DC.

Dina Al-Sabah first started weight training when she moved to London in 1991. As a newcomer to the country, she did not have any friends and had plenty of free time so she decided to join a gym as a hobby. When Dina came to the United States in 1994 to continue her studies at the George Washington University, she took a more active interest in lifting weights and educating herself on weight training and nutrition.

Dina Al-Sabah started competing in 1999; she decided to try for the NPC Figure Nationals after winning the Monica Brant Fitness Classic in 2001. When trying to register for the nationals she found out that she had to be a United States citizen in order to be allowed to compete at any of the NPC pro qualifiers. Dina did some investigating and found out that the only way she could compete in the Pro Division of the IFBB was for her to have recommendation from the Kuwaiti national federation associated with the IFBB. Unfortunately due traditional Arab beliefs, women are not allowed to compete in any bodybuilding competitions and she was denied a recommendation. This did not discourage Ms. Al-Sabah, she decided to build her profile as a competitor in hopes that somebody would notice her potential. She won several popular NPC competitions in 2002 and brought her case to NPC president Jim Manion, and IFBB president Ben Weider. In November 2002 Dina Al-Sabah was granted an IFBB Pro card.

Soon Dina made a name for herself in the world of figure competitions, winning the 2003 Jan Tana Figure Championships and placing fifth at the inaugural Figure Olympia. These accomplishments have unfortunately come with their share of scrutiny from many conservative Arabs. In Kuwait as well as other Muslim countries, it is seen as immoral for a woman to compete in any form of bodybuilding contest or to even wear something as skimpy bikini. Because of Ms. Al-Sabah's decision to compete and model, she has faced criticism, but the negative sentiments have been overshadowed by the many positive comments she has received from many Arab men and women globally.

Currently Dina Al-Sabah is continuing her career as a fitness model appearing in many fitness publications including Oxygen, Ironman, American Curves, Muscle and Fitness, Muscle Mag International and Flex. Ms. Al-Sabah is also the co-host for Living Beautiful Radio and a passionate promoter of issues dealing with female sexuality as well as a reviewer of adult products catering to women and couples.

[edit] Vital Stats

Full Name: Dina Al-Sabah
Birthday: February 28
Place of Birth: Beirut, Lebanon
Current state of Residence: Maryland
Occupation: IFBB Pro Figure Athlete, Fitness Model, Information Systems Consultant, and Radio Host
Marital Status: Single
Height: 5'5"
Weight (Contest): 117-118 lbs. (Off-Season):123-125 lbs.
Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Brown

[edit] Bodybuilding philosophy

Ms. Al-Sabah's training consists of simple compound movements with mostly free weights and a small number of cable and machine exercises. She focuses on her legs, back, and shoulders as primary areas. She typically trains with weights 5 days a week in the off-season (usually one or two body parts per day off-season, as well as in the pre-contest season). She also performs cardio four times a week for thirty minutes with each session, and up to twice a day for the pre-contest season.