Burkina Faso: Thierry Bayala, new World Champion, a national pride
Burkina Faso is once again shining on the international stage thanks to a remarkable new achievement. On Monday, October 14, 2024, Thierry Bayala, a native of the country, won the gold medal in the 80-85 kilogram category at the World Bodybuilding Championships in Spain. This prestigious event, organized under the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB), brought together athletes from over 200 countries.
With this outstanding victory, Thierry Bayala follows in the footsteps of the famous Burkinabe Iron Biby, crowned “the strongest man in the world” after lifting 231 kilograms in Birmingham last September. Today, Bayala is crowned “the most muscular man in the world” after dominating the competition in Madrid, further boosting Burkina Faso’s national pride.
Born in Bonyolo, a village near Réo in the country’s central-west region, Bayala has etched his name in the history of world bodybuilding after years of perseverance. After several runner-up finishes, he has finally claimed the coveted world title, establishing himself as a key figure in the discipline.
Outside of bodybuilding, Thierry Bayala is also a talented basketball player. Affiliated with the French Bodybuilding Federation, he expressed his gratitude to his supporters on his Facebook page, thanking them for their unwavering support throughout his journey to gold.
In addition to his world title, Thierry Bayala has won another prestigious accolade : the Arnold Classic, a competition honoring bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger. These two victories mark a new era for bodybuilding in Burkina Faso, placing Bayala at the pinnacle of the sport and cementing his position as a rising star.
