Even bodybuilding is not free of political dramas.
Malika Zitouni the 2007 NABBA Britain, World and Universe winner served a one year suspension in 2008 for allegedly flying the flag of Republic of Ireland, while having qualified to compete in the UK, and competing with the UK team.
Malika is a resident of Northern Ireland and for those who aren’t too up on geography, Northern Ireland is part of the UK and the Republic of Ireland is an independent nation and an entirely seperate country.
To give an oversimplified analogy, it’s like an American winning the USA Championships going to the World Championships overseas, winning and flying the Canadian flag onstage.
Of course it isn’t quite that simple, Ireland split in 1922 and there are some who disagree and want the North to rejoin the South. An interesting issue with a deeply emotional issue for some Irish residents making it’s way into bodybuilding circles. As an aside, Malika herself isn’t Irish. She is a French citizen of Algerian descent and moved to the UK as an adult.
Politics aside, Malika looks great as you can see:
image via bodylogik.co.uk
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