In the South African city of Sun City, Moroccan Nizar Ballil won the bronze medal in the bench press category of the World Championship of Athletic Strength on Sunday, after lifting a weight of 190 kg.
The Moroccan Ballil is a four-time African champion (2013, 2019, 2020, and 2022) and this is the first time he is taking part in the bench press, the only category contested at the world championship.
Ballil qualified for the world championships after achieving the minimum in his category (-150kg) at the African championships held last September in Morocco.
Athletic strength comprises three categories, namely the squat, bench press, and deadlift.
Apart from Morocco, this world championship saw the participation of Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and South Africa.