The latest series of WWE Tough Enough has begun with the Middle East being represented by Egyptian born Mada Abdelhamid. He is among the 13 contestants, seven male and six female, selected from more than 40,000 entrants aiming to earn a $250,000 (Dh918,000) contract to become a WWE Superstar.

Each week Abdelhamid, who resides in Los Angeles in the United States, and the other competitors will take part in challenges as well as training in the ring in a bid to impress judges including Hulk Hogan, with one person being eliminated at the end of every show.

Two contracts will be handed out when the show climaxes, one to a male competitor and one to a female, and Abdelhamid is targeting victory in the male category.

He took time out from training to talk to The National about the competition, his ambitions and his high and low points so far.

The WWE Tough Enough experience

“It is has been very hard and challenging. Both physically in the training and tasks we have to complete, but also emotionally as you have the TV show every week and the threat of going home. But in many ways that is what WWE Superstars have to go through on a day-to-day basis so this is a tremendous experience in preparing for that life, and I am really enjoying the challenge.”

On applying for WWE Tough Enough

“I have been a big fan of the WWE all my life and I had always dreamt of one day joining the WWE. But I had never seen a way to get there and until I saw the advertisement for Tough Enough, and I just had to enter and I feel truly blessed to have be a part of it.”

On working with WWE legends such as Booker T, Billy Gunn, Hulk Hogan and Chris Jericho

“They have been great. It is strange being around people that were my heroes when I was growing up, and I was maybe a little star struck to begin with, but everyone is so friendly and down to earth and have made it very easy to adapt to life in Tough Enough. It is like a big family and I am very happy to be part of it.”

Life before WWE Tough Enough

“I was a personal trainer and had been looking to get into acting.”

His background

“My parents are Egyptian and I lived in Egypt until I was nine when we moved to New Zealand. I then moved to the America when I was 19 to play college basketball. I was back in Egypt for a bit in 2011 when I was playing some pro basketball, and I also played in New Zealand and Australia as well.”

Worst point so far

“It would be having to go in that swamp in episode 2 with all those alligators and snakes around. I am not a good swimmer and I struggled, and I was really down on myself afterwards. But then I thought about it and I felt it had been a test of courage, and I felt I had shown a lot of courage in having a good go at something I was not comfortable at doing, so I was able to take some positives out of it.”

High point so far

“It was actually at the weekend just gone by as Booker T, who is one of the trainers, was at a live event and he picked me as the person who he thinks he will win. Booker is a legend and a Hall of Famer so to here him say that, and to show his faith me, has put even more fire in me and made me even more determined to win it.”

Can he win it?

Absolutely. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I could. I think I have the best overall package in having the look, the size, the background and the charisma that I think the WWE are looking for from a WWE Superstar. It will mean everything to me, it is what I am working for, and I believe I will win it.”

WWE Tough Enough is live every Wednesday at 4 am. on OSN Sports 2 HD, with rebroadcasts on the same day at 4pm and 9pm also on OSN Sports 2 HD

Tough Talk, hosted by the Miz, immediately following Tough Enough, is live on the OSN WWE Network HD at 5am.

gcaygill@thenational.ae