World Champion Bodybuilder Ali Reza Asahi Passes Away

The Afghanistan Bodybuilding Federation announced the passing of Ali Reza Asahi, a two-time world champion in veteran bodybuilding, on Thursday, January 25.

In a statement shared on Facebook, the federation expressed its grief:
“The bodybuilding community mourns the loss of world champion Ali Reza Asahi today.”

The cause of his death has been reported as a heart attack. His funeral is scheduled for Friday in Omid-e-Sabz Township, Kabul.

In his final Facebook story, Asahi poignantly wrote: “Good friends are known on bad days,” hinting at the financial hardships and struggles he faced in his later days.

Ali Reza Asahi achieved remarkable success in 2023 and 2024, winning consecutive gold medals in the veteran bodybuilding category at the World Bodybuilding Championships.

Asahi’s athletic journey began in his youth with karate, where he trained up to the black belt level. He later shifted his focus to bodybuilding, achieving significant success in the final three years of his life.

The passing of this iconic athlete marks a profound loss for Afghanistan’s sports community.