YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon – Years of discipline, sacrifice, and unwavering determination have finally paid off for Cameroonian bodybuilder Desmond Chamako, who recently achieved professional status after winning the Classic Men’s Physique title at the World Fitness Federation (WFF) World Championships hosted in Cameroon.The victory crowned a decade-long journey that began in a modest gym in Bamenda and has now placed the athlete among the world’s professional bodybuilders.
A Decade of Discipline Pays Off
Chamako began bodybuilding in 2016 in Mankon, Bamenda, initially to improve his health and physical fitness.
His coach quickly recognized his potential and encouraged him to pursue competitive bodybuilding.After years of consistent training, he entered his first competition in 2023, winning the Cameroon National Championship under the Cameroon Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (FECABOF). That success inspired him to pursue an international career.His breakthrough came at the 2026 WFF World Championships in Cameroon, where he won the gold medal in the Classic Men’s Physique category, as well as silver medals in the Men’s Physique and Men’s Performance categories. The gold medal earned him a WFF Professional Card, officially making him an international professional bodybuilder.
Overcoming Conflict, Financial Challenges and Sacrifice
Chamako’s road to success was far from easy. The socio-political crisis in Cameroon’s North West Region disrupted his training, forcing him to miss workouts due to security concerns.To continue pursuing his dream, he relocated to Yaoundé in 2019, where he gained access to better-equipped training facilities and a more stable environment.Bodybuilding, he says, demands complete dedication.
Beyond daily training, athletes must maintain strict nutritional plans, often eating five carefully prepared meals a day while avoiding restaurants and social outings. His preparation is supervised remotely by Moroccan coach Ayoub, who designs both his training and nutrition programmes.The financial burden is equally demanding. Chamako estimates that bodybuilding is among the most expensive sports in Cameroon, requiring substantial spending on food, supplements, and training equipment. To sustain his career, he relies on income from his business, Chimafu Lunch, which finances his sporting ambitions.
Preparing for the World Stage
Preparation for the World Championships began two months before the competition and intensified during a one-week training camp in Abuja, Nigeria, alongside other members of the FECABOF national team.Led by federation president Achille Balemagna, the athletes followed a strict routine centred entirely on training, recovery, nutrition, and rest.Unlike many sports, bodybuilding competitors do not know who they will face until registration, just days before the contest. »You prepare to become the best version of yourself, » Chamako explained. « There is no time to adjust once you discover who your opponents are. »His strategy paid off. After finishing second in the Men’s Physique category, he used the result as motivation before returning the following day to claim gold in the Classic Men’s Physique division and secure professional status.
International Experience Shapes a ChampionAlthough he holds one national title, Chamako has already built considerable international experience.He competed at the Dubai Muscle Show, where he fell short of the podium, before travelling three times to Marrakech, Morocco, for professional qualifying competitions. There, he collected six silver medals, performances that strengthened both his confidence and competitive experience.According to Chamako, those setbacks and near victories prepared him for his biggest achievement yet.
A Historic Championship for Cameroon
For Chamako, hosting the WFF World Championships in Cameroon marked a turning point for the country’s bodybuilding community.He believes the event provided local athletes with an unprecedented opportunity to showcase their talent on home soil while competing against international standards.He credits the success of the championship to the support of the Ministry of Sports and FECABOF President Achille Balemagna, whose efforts brought the global event to Cameroon.
Family Support Behind the Success
Chamako attributes much of his success to the unwavering support of his family, who have stood beside him throughout his journey.He expressed gratitude to his relative Desmond « Chamako Pro », Romanos, his mother, brothers, and his two children for their emotional, spiritual, and financial encouragement.He also thanked his customers at Chamako Lunch, acknowledging that their continued support has enabled him to finance one of the most demanding sports in the world.Now a professional athlete, Desmond Chamako says his journey is only beginning, with his sights firmly set on representing Cameroon on even bigger international stages.
