Black Muscles dominate Mr Equinox Bodybuilding tourney

The national bodybuilding team, the Black Muscles, have returned from Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, with three Pro Cards, four gold medals, two silver, four bronze and overall second place out of 10 countries at the 2026 IFBB Mr Equinox Bodybuilding Championships last Saturday, underscoring Ghana’s pedigree on the continent.

Reigning Man Ghana, Derrick Marley, led the Ghanaian charge by emerging top of his division, 2nd overall and also claimed the pro card, setting the stage for Frederick Abugah and overall winner Samson Dogbe also to top and win the pro card of their respective divisions.

Samuel Okpoti Alvin also took gold in his division and third overall, whilst Samuel Addokwei Okoe, Reagan Mends,  Alfred Botchway, Fred Amankwah, Ampadu Martinson and Stephen Ansong all finished on the podium in their various divisions.

The 24-member Ghana Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (GBFA) contingent, comprising 10 officials and 14 athletes, earlier paid a courtesy call on Ghana’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, Brigadier General Alhassan Abu (Rtd), who welcomed the team to Abidjan and encouraged the athletes to make Ghana proud in the tournament. 

GBFA President, Abdul Hayye Yartey, hailed the athletes for their consistency and pledged better support to improve performance when Ghana hosts the upcoming IFBB West African Championship in Accra, April 23-26.

“These achievements are very important because Ghana has built a reputation as a household name when it comes to bodybuilding in Africa and we couldn’t have gone lower in rankings in this competition,” he told the Graphic Sports.