Bodybuilding as a Career and Sport in Pakistan
“Bodybuilding is also an art, whether you are short or tall. The art you have within yourself—only you know how to express it,” says bodybuilder and personal trainer Irfan Asghar. Hailing from the small town of Jalalpur Jattan, Punjab, Irfan began going to the local gym as a child.
Now, he has earned national recognition, including a runner-up position at the Pakistan National Bodybuilding Championship, and he has his sights set on becoming Pakistan’s foremost competitive bodybuilder.
As a 10-year-old, Irfan was inspired by the legendary bodybuilder and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger. When a no-frills, outdoor gym opened in his town, he joined it—more out of curiosity than direction. As a child, he spent time playing around, building sand hills and pushing against them, unaware that this would later evolve into formal training.
After some time, he sought guidance from a coach and began preparing more seriously. His first competition ended in last place. Rather than discouraging him, it prompted a reassessment. Two months later, he entered a district-level contest and finished fourth. Not long after, he won his first title in his home region. That series of outcomes reinforced his focus and helped him set clear goals.
Throughout school, he balanced training with academics, though not without difficulty. His mornings started early with errands, including picking up meat for the household before heading to class. He often missed assembly and faced regular corporal punishment for arriving late. At times, he would leave school midday to eat and prepare meals for later, ensuring his schedule aligned with his training. "I wasn’t a very good student," he admits, "but this is what I was better at."
His parents insisted on education but allowed him to continue training, provided he kept up with school. Over time, they saw the dedication behind his routine. When he began succeeding at competitions—preparing for Mr. Punjab at age 20, winning Youth Mr. Pakistan, and securing second place at the WAPDA championship—the recognition extended to his family. "If I get respect, they get respect," he says.
With each milestone, his focus remains unchanged: to compete for Mr. World, go all the way to the Olympics, and become the world champion.
How have you balanced your passion with other responsibilities in your life? Share your experience with us!
Irfan’s story is brought to you in partnership with McDonald’s.
This article was developed with the assistance of AI tools.
