With the growth of the tested modality of bodybuilding, clashes between natural and hormonal athletes have become increasingly frequent within the field. For Tamer El Guindy, CEO of Musclecontest and official representative of Brazil in matters related to the IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness) professional league, this feud is “complete ignorance”.
“Criticizing other people who are making an effort is complete ignorance. On both sides, both the natural criticizing those on hormones and the opposite. Both groups should focus on the fact that everyone loves training, loves dieting and is dedicated. All of this is positive”, highlights the businessman in an interview with the column.
El Guindy also points out that “it is very important that people do not judge each other. This is a lack of maturity. Everyone is playing a sport, but some come together in their own bubbles (…) at the end of the day, everyone appreciates the athlete’s effort. Both hormonal and natural people love the sport. They have to applaud each other’s success.”
When talking about the topic, he compares the current situation to the time when new categories were introduced in bodybuilding. “In the beginning, there was only one category [a que hoje é chamada de Bodybuilding]. When the Men’s Physique and Bikini categories were announced, it was a disaster. Everyone started criticizing: ‘These people aren’t real athletes.’ (…) So, in the end, I see something very similar.”
Asked about possible measures that Musclecontest could take to try to reduce this tension, El Guindy is direct: “I will never allow criticism from within the organization. I am an athlete and I respect all other athletes. It’s like when a former obese person ventures onto the stage and criticism rains down on him. I think that’s terrible, because this man may have tried harder and had more courage than the champion himself. Nobody knows the person’s sacrifice, nobody knows their story (…) We’re going to make sure that one tribe looks at and recognizes the victories of members of the other tribe”.
Musclecontest in the natural setting
At the end of last year, Musclecontest announced that Brazilian bodybuilding would win four championships aimed at natural athletes in the 2026 season. According to the company’s CEO, the implementation is due to the “growth and popularity of this segment” in the country.
“My boss is the client. For example, in the United States, at one time, we did 15 shows tested in the country. As they were not very popular, we ended up reducing that number to 10 (…) today, Brazil is experiencing a wave of natural bodybuilding. My obligation is to respond to what the fans want”, he adds.
To date, the NPC (National Physique Committee) calendar – the amateur league that gives access to the IFBB – highlights two of these events. While the Musclecontest Rio de Janeiro Naturals will take place in April, the Musclecontest São Paulo Naturals will take place in May.
For El Guindy, a possible increase in these championships next year depends on the return of fans and athletes: “If they explode in terms of audience, we will do even more next year, with the right to at least one ‘pro qualifier’ (a championship that grants at least one professional card)”.
Finally, the promoter states that the federation will rely on the polygraph to test bodybuilders registered in these competitions.
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