By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Fresh off a remarkable three-medal performance at the just ended 2026 World Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship, Cameroonian bodybuilder Desmond Khan Awa alias Desmond Chamako has credits hard work, consistency and relentless discipline for his ascension to the professional ranks.
Competing on home soil during the World Fitness Federation event that took place from July 24-28 in Yaounde, Awa delivered a standout performance across multiple divisions. He secured a gold medal in the classic men’s physique category, earning the title of world champion, and placed second in the men’s physique category to claim a silver medal.
His gold-medal victory qualified him to step onto the stage with professional competitors that same day, where he earned a second silver medal and officially secured his international professional license.
Speaking to reporters Friday August 7 in Yaounde, Desmond Chamako described the intense physical toll required to prepare for world-class competition, where athletes undergo extreme dehydration and strict diet protocols to emphasize muscle definition.
“It was very difficult because with bodybuilding, you don’t actually know your opponent until the day of the competition,” Desmond Chamako said. “During the preparation, you don’t eat. You stay dry from morning till you compete. You don’t even drink water — you just sip small amounts of water so your stomach isn’t full and you can present your muscles to the judges.”
Despite the intense pressure of competing against top international athletes, Desmond Chamako said his prior experience competing on international stages in Morocco and Dubai helped him stay composure under the spotlight.
“I had to challenge my competitors on stage because they also had great bodies, but I needed to present my body like an artist,” Desmond Chamako said. “On stage, you gain the judges’ attention if you are relaxed and don’t feel tense.”
Awa’s path to the global stage began in 2015 in Bamenda, where he started training in a small local gym with makeshift equipment constructed from sand and cement. Sociopolitical unrest in the region forced him to relocate to Yaounde in 2020, where he continued to refine his craft.
His dedication paid off in 2023 when he captured his first national title, catching the attention of the Cameroon Federation of Bodybuilding, which selected him to represent the nation at the 2026 world championship.
Looking ahead, the newly minted professional plans to step up his regimen, preparing his own meals and consuming six strict, nutrient-dense meals a day consisting primarily of chicken, rice and sweet potatoes.
Desmond Chamako hopes his achievements will serve as a blueprint for aspiring athletes across the continent.
“There is no big deal in bodybuilding. All you need is consistency, hard work and patience, because you can’t build muscles in one day or one week,” Desmond Chamako said. “It is high time for me to start inspiring the younger generation because I am no longer an amateur. I am a professional bodybuilder with the trophy and license to prove it, and sport is ultimately about health.”
Desmond Chamako’s manager, Desmond Ayima Teneng, expressed high ambitions for the champion’s future, noting that the goal is to see Desmond Chamako compete on the world’s biggest international stages, including future Olympic platforms, to continue making his country proud.
Sport analysts say, from modest beginnings with sand-filled weights to standing on the world podium, Desmond Chamako has proven that dedication and patience can turn dreams into reality.
