A real-life Popeye with the world’s biggest biceps has undergone medical tests to quash rumours that his massive arms are the result of surgical implants.
Moustafa Ismail, 24, shot to fame last month when he claimed a place in the 2013 Guinness Books of World Records for his 31 inch biceps.
But his success prompted a whispering campaign in the bodybuilding world and speculation grew that his incredible bulk was surgically-enhanced.
So Moustafa – known as ‘Big Mo’ – agreed to undergo a series of medical tests in Japan, including a full-body MRI scan and an ultrasound scan on his upper arms.
Experts found no signs of implants, drug use or intravenous tampering – clearing Mo of any wrongdoing.
He said: “I have nothing to hide and so I agreed to do it. I am nothing but proud of what I have achieved as an unknown and amateur bodybuilder.
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“I wanted to show the world that Big Mo is real, and not fake as some critics have claimed.”
Mo, who lives with his wife Carolina, 30, started bodybuilding ten years ago when he lived in Egypt in a bid to keep fit.
But after hitting the gym he received hundreds of compliments on his bulging biceps and decided to concentrate all of his efforts on making them even bigger.
Five years ago, when he failed to win a place in the Egyptian bodybuilding team he swapped his home country for the USA in order to pursue a career abroad
He has been open about his medical use of growth hormones at early stages of his training whilst in Egypt and also using legal testosterone-boosting cycles.
Mo now trains a varied regime at least twice a day and can lift an incredible 500lbs.
But unlike Popeye, he hates spinach and instead eats as much as 3lbs of chicken, 1lbs of steak or fish and four cups of almonds every day.
He downs two gallons of water and three litres of protein shakes every day and also puts his bulging body down to genetics – his father was an Egyptian wrestler as were many of his uncles on his fathers side.
Mo receive no financial assistance during his training, and pays for his protein supplements and gym membership himself.
He is currently seeking financial support and sponsorship in order to be able to pursue entering in professional bodybuilding competitions in the future.
When he is not pumping iron he’s pumping gas at the two petrol station he manages near his home in Massachusetts.
Mo is now travelling the world making personal appearances and agreed to undergo the medical tests on a show for Fuji TV.
He said: “As someone who travelled from my home country of Egypt many years ago in order to pursue a dream and to now be fully settled and proud to also be representing my adopted home in USA, I feel the world is now my oyster to do as much positive things as I can with my new found profile. My world record achievement is well-deserved, and just the beginning!”
Bullshit! Hes doing Synthol injections or some kind of other similar substance.
Agreed. There is NO F’IN WAY THAT’S NATURAL. I’d like them to cite their “expert” sources.
They would need to find an expert first. Obviously they didn’t.
i wanna hear from the expert that tested him in japan…
why was he tested in japan and not boston?
if he want s to squash the rumors have him tested in this country.
you know why he hasent tested here? because hed be busted in 1 second.
hes looking for a sponser so he can pursue in body building here in the states? lololololololol gooooood luck.