Dina Al-Sabah
Encyclopedia
Dina Ali Fahad Al-Salim Al-Sabah (born February 28, 1974) is a professional figure competitor from Kuwait
. She stands out from the rest of the Figure competitors for being the only female Arab
athlete to achieve pro card status as of 2006; as well as the first female Arab athlete to ever stand on the Olympia stage. She is also the only IFBB athlete to have competed in both the Inaugural Figure Olympia in 2003 and the Inaugural Bikini Olympia in 2010.
descent. She was born as a member of the Al-Sabah
family (she is close lineage because her grandfather was the son of Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah
; ruler of Kuwait from 1917 to 1921) The Al-Sabahs have ruled Kuwait for over more than two centuries. Ms. Al-Sabah was raised in Egypt, Morocco, Italy and the United Kingdom, and because of this, she was exposed to many different cultures at a young age. A natural athlete, she started horse-back riding at the age of five. Dina Al-Sabah continued her active life style throughout her high school years competing in equestrian shows and participating in track, volleyball and basketball at The American School of Tangier in Morocco.
Due to her various travels, today Dina is fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Arabic. She also holds several degrees: B.S. in electrical engineering, M.S. in telecommunications and computers, and an MBA, all from the George Washington University in Washington, DC.
Dina Al-Sabah first started weight training when she moved to London in 1991. As a newcomer to the country, she did not have any friends and had plenty of free time so she decided to join a gym as a hobby. When Dina came to the United States in 1994 to continue her studies at the George Washington University, she took a more active interest in lifting weights and educating herself on weight training and nutrition.
Dina Al-Sabah started competing in 1999; she decided to try for the NPC Figure Nationals after winning the Monica Brant Fitness Classic in 2001. When trying to register for the nationals she found out that she had to be a United States citizen in order to be allowed to compete at any of the NPC pro qualifiers. Dina did some investigating and found out that the only way she could compete in the Pro Division of the IFBB was for her to have recommendation from the Kuwaiti national federation associated with the IFBB. Unfortunately due traditional Arab beliefs, women are not allowed to compete in any bodybuilding competitions and she was denied a recommendation. This did not discourage Ms. Al-Sabah, she decided to build her profile as a competitor in hopes that somebody would notice her potential. She won several popular NPC competitions in 2002 and brought her case to NPC president Jim Manion, and IFBB president Ben Weider
. In November 2002 Dina Al-Sabah was granted an IFBB Pro card.
Soon Dina made a name for herself in the world of figure competitions, winning the 2003 Jan Tana Figure Championships and placing fifth at the inaugural Figure Olympia. These accomplishments have unfortunately come with their share of scrutiny from many conservative Arabs. Because of Ms. Al-Sabah's decision to compete and model, she has faced criticism, but the negative sentiments have been overshadowed by the many positive comments she has received from many Arab men and women globally.
Currently Dina Al-Sabah is continuing her career as a fitness model appearing in many fitness publications including Oxygen, Ironman, American Curves, Muscle and Fitness, Muscle Mag International and Flex. Ms. Al-Sabah is also the co-host for Living Beautiful Radio and a passionate promoter of issues dealing with female sexuality as well as a reviewer of adult products catering to women and couples.
, back
, and shoulder
s as primary areas. She typically trains with weights 5 days a week in the off-season (usually one or two body parts per day off-season, as well as in the pre-contest season). She also performs cardio four times a week for thirty minutes with each session, and up to twice a day for the pre-contest season.
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
. She stands out from the rest of the Figure competitors for being the only female Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
athlete to achieve pro card status as of 2006; as well as the first female Arab athlete to ever stand on the Olympia stage. She is also the only IFBB athlete to have competed in both the Inaugural Figure Olympia in 2003 and the Inaugural Bikini Olympia in 2010.
Biography
Dina Al-Sabah was born in Beirut, Lebanon. She is of KuwaitiKuwaiti
Kuwaiti may refer to:* Something of, from, or related to the country of Kuwait* A person from Kuwait, or of Kuwaiti descent. For information about the Kuwaiti people, see Demographics of Kuwait and Culture of Kuwait. For specific persons, see List of Kuwaitis.* Note that there is no language called...
descent. She was born as a member of the Al-Sabah
Al-Sabah
The House of Al Sabah is the ruling family of Kuwait. They are a clan from the Anizah tribe which migrated to Kuwait in the early 18th century from Najd . They are also from the Utub tribe. After reaching Kuwait, they entered in an alliance with the other families of the Utub such as Al-Khalifa...
family (she is close lineage because her grandfather was the son of Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah
Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah
Sheikh Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, CSI was the ninth sheikh of Kuwait of the line of Al-Sabah. He was the second son of Mubarak Al-Sabah and is the ancestor of the Al-Salem branch of the Al-Sabah family. He ruled from February 5, 1917 to February 22, 1921. Prior to his ascension, he served as the...
; ruler of Kuwait from 1917 to 1921) The Al-Sabahs have ruled Kuwait for over more than two centuries. Ms. Al-Sabah was raised in Egypt, Morocco, Italy and the United Kingdom, and because of this, she was exposed to many different cultures at a young age. A natural athlete, she started horse-back riding at the age of five. Dina Al-Sabah continued her active life style throughout her high school years competing in equestrian shows and participating in track, volleyball and basketball at The American School of Tangier in Morocco.
Due to her various travels, today Dina is fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Arabic. She also holds several degrees: B.S. in electrical engineering, M.S. in telecommunications and computers, and an MBA, all from the George Washington University in Washington, DC.
Dina Al-Sabah first started weight training when she moved to London in 1991. As a newcomer to the country, she did not have any friends and had plenty of free time so she decided to join a gym as a hobby. When Dina came to the United States in 1994 to continue her studies at the George Washington University, she took a more active interest in lifting weights and educating herself on weight training and nutrition.
Dina Al-Sabah started competing in 1999; she decided to try for the NPC Figure Nationals after winning the Monica Brant Fitness Classic in 2001. When trying to register for the nationals she found out that she had to be a United States citizen in order to be allowed to compete at any of the NPC pro qualifiers. Dina did some investigating and found out that the only way she could compete in the Pro Division of the IFBB was for her to have recommendation from the Kuwaiti national federation associated with the IFBB. Unfortunately due traditional Arab beliefs, women are not allowed to compete in any bodybuilding competitions and she was denied a recommendation. This did not discourage Ms. Al-Sabah, she decided to build her profile as a competitor in hopes that somebody would notice her potential. She won several popular NPC competitions in 2002 and brought her case to NPC president Jim Manion, and IFBB president Ben Weider
Ben Weider
Benjamin "Ben" Weider, was the co-founder of the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness along with brother Joe Weider...
. In November 2002 Dina Al-Sabah was granted an IFBB Pro card.
Soon Dina made a name for herself in the world of figure competitions, winning the 2003 Jan Tana Figure Championships and placing fifth at the inaugural Figure Olympia. These accomplishments have unfortunately come with their share of scrutiny from many conservative Arabs. Because of Ms. Al-Sabah's decision to compete and model, she has faced criticism, but the negative sentiments have been overshadowed by the many positive comments she has received from many Arab men and women globally.
Currently Dina Al-Sabah is continuing her career as a fitness model appearing in many fitness publications including Oxygen, Ironman, American Curves, Muscle and Fitness, Muscle Mag International and Flex. Ms. Al-Sabah is also the co-host for Living Beautiful Radio and a passionate promoter of issues dealing with female sexuality as well as a reviewer of adult products catering to women and couples.
Vital Stats
- Full Name: Dina Al-Sabah
- Birthday: February 28
- Place of Birth: Beirut, Lebanon
- Current state of Residence: Nevada
- Occupation: IFBB Pro Figure Athlete, Fitness Model, Information Systems Consultant, and Radio Host
- Marital Status: Single
- Height: 5'5"
- Weight (Contest): 117-118 lbs. (Off-Season):123-125 lbs.
- Eye Color: Brown
- Hair Color: Brown
Bodybuilding philosophy
Ms. Al-Sabah's training consists of simple compound movements with mostly free weights and a small number of cable and machine exercises. She focuses on her legsHuman leg
The human leg is the entire lower extremity or limb of the human body, including the foot, thigh and even the hip or gluteal region; however, the precise definition in human anatomy refers only to the section of the lower limb extending from the knee to the ankle.Legs are used for standing,...
, back
Human back
The human back is the large posterior area of the human body, rising from the top of the buttocks to the back of the neck and the shoulders. It is the surface opposite to the chest, its height being defined by the vertebral column and its breadth being supported by the ribcage and shoulders...
, and shoulder
Shoulder
The human shoulder is made up of three bones: the clavicle , the scapula , and the humerus as well as associated muscles, ligaments and tendons. The articulations between the bones of the shoulder make up the shoulder joints. The major joint of the shoulder is the glenohumeral joint, which...
s as primary areas. She typically trains with weights 5 days a week in the off-season (usually one or two body parts per day off-season, as well as in the pre-contest season). She also performs cardio four times a week for thirty minutes with each session, and up to twice a day for the pre-contest season.
Contest history
- 1999 NGA Mount Rodgers Cup Novice 2nd
- 2000 NPCNational Physique CommitteeThe National Physique Committee is the largest amateur bodybuilding organization in the United States. Amateur bodybuilders compete in various competitions from local to national competitions sanctioned by the NPC...
EastCoast Tournament of Champions (MW) 4th - 2000 NPC BodyRock 2nd (LW), won the Best Poser Award
- 2001 NPC Monica Brant Fitness Classic 1st (Tall) and Overall
- 2001 NPC Jan Tana Figure 1st (Tall), and Overall
- 2001 NPC NorthEastern Figure Classic 3rd (Tall)
- 2002 NPC Pittsburgh Figure Championship 3rd (Tall)
- 2002 NPC Bev Francis Atlantic States Figure Championship 1st (Tall), and Overall
- 2002 NPC Debbie Kruck Figure Classic 1st (Tall), and Overall
- 2002 NPC NorthEast Figure Classic 1st (Tall), and Overall
- 2003 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Figure 4th
- 2003 IFBB NOC Figure Championships 6th
- 2003 IFBB NY Pro Figure Championships 2nd
- 2003 IFBBInternational Federation of BodyBuildersThe International Federation of BodyBuilders is a competitive bodybuilding organization founded in 1946 by brothers Ben and Joe Weider and is the highest level of competitive bodybuilding in the world. Currently, the IFBB consists of seven different sub-divisions for different competitors ,...
Jan Tana Pro Figure 1st - 2003 IFBB Miss Figure Olympia 5th
- 2003 IFBB GNC Show of Strength 3rd
- 2004 IFBB Figure International 7th
- 2004 IFBB GNC Show of Strength 14th
- 2004 IFBB Miss Figure Olympia 13th
- 2006 IFBB Tournament of Champions Pro Figure 9th
- 2006 IFBB Palm Beach Pro Figure 12th
- 2006 IFBB Sacrament Pro Figure 8th
- 2010 IFBB PBW Tampa Pro Bikini 6th
- 2010 IFBB Jacksonville Pro Championships 5th
- 2010 IFBB Tournament of Champions 5th
- 2010 IFBB Detroit Pro 3rd
- 2010 IFBB Bikini Olympia 10th