• Shylan Kamal is carving a name for herself in bodybuilding, traditionally considered a sport for men in Iraq. All photos: AFP
    Shylan Kamal is carving a name for herself in bodybuilding, traditionally considered a sport for men in Iraq. All photos: AFP
  • In recent months, the 46-year-old from Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region has competed in three events across Britain and Germany, each time placing third
    In recent months, the 46-year-old from Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region has competed in three events across Britain and Germany, each time placing third
  • As a young girl, Kamal would help her mother knead bread, until one day she realised the work was a way to build up muscles - and she liked it
    As a young girl, Kamal would help her mother knead bread, until one day she realised the work was a way to build up muscles - and she liked it
  • Kamal emigrated to Germany with her uncle when she was 14
    Kamal emigrated to Germany with her uncle when she was 14
  • The nutritionist and former photographer returned to Kurdistan from Germany three years ago and found a conservative and patriarchal society where her passion for bodybuilding raised some eyebrows
    The nutritionist and former photographer returned to Kurdistan from Germany three years ago and found a conservative and patriarchal society where her passion for bodybuilding raised some eyebrows
  • Now a mother herself, Kamal sees her passion for the sport as a matter of gender equality in Iraq
    Now a mother herself, Kamal sees her passion for the sport as a matter of gender equality in Iraq
  • "Having muscles is good for women too," she says during a session at a gym in Erbil, where she spends four hours training every day. "We can express our beauty through bodybuilding."
    "Having muscles is good for women too," she says during a session at a gym in Erbil, where she spends four hours training every day. "We can express our beauty through bodybuilding."
  • Kamal has trained since the age of 22
    Kamal has trained since the age of 22
  • In this picture taken on April 27, 2023, Iraqi Kurd Shylan Kamal trains at a gym in Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq. - As a young girl, Shylan would help her mother knead bread until one day she realised the work was a way to build up muscles -- and she liked it. Now 46 and herself a mother to three adult children, Kamal sees her passion for bodybuilding as a matter of gender equality in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region. (Photo by Safin HAMED / AFP)
    In this picture taken on April 27, 2023, Iraqi Kurd Shylan Kamal trains at a gym in Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq. - As a young girl, Shylan would help her mother knead bread until one day she realised the work was a way to build up muscles -- and she liked it. Now 46 and herself a mother to three adult children, Kamal sees her passion for bodybuilding as a matter of gender equality in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region. (Photo by Safin HAMED / AFP)

MENA

Female Iraqi bodybuilder breaks down gender barriers

Shylan Kamal sees her passion for sport as a matter of gender equality in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region

The National

May 14, 2023

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Updated: May 14, 2023, 11:06 AM
Iraq