From homemade dumbbells made with sand and cement in a modest gym in Bamenda to international bodybuilding podiums, Desmond Chamako’s journey is one of passion, discipline, and resilience. This Friday in Yaoundé, the Cameroonian champion met with the press to present the trophies he won at the World Bodybuilding Championship organized in Cameroon and to share the story of an extraordinary journey.
A passion born in simplicity
Desmond Chamako’s journey began in 2015 in Bamenda. Far from modern sports facilities, the young enthusiast discovered bodybuilding in a small gym without sophisticated equipment.
Due to the lack of professional resources, athletes had to make their own training equipment.
“We used our own weights that we made with sand and cement,” he recalls.
At the time, Desmond was still young and his physique did not necessarily match bodybuilding standards. But he already had one strong belief: this sport requires time, patience, and above all, consistency.
A crisis that challenged his dream
While continuing his training, the crisis affecting Cameroon’s English-speaking regions disrupted his daily life. Between 2018 and 2019, insecurity made access to gyms in Bamenda increasingly difficult.
Faced with this situation, Desmond made a major decision in 2020: he left his hometown and moved to Yaoundé in order to continue pursuing his dream under better conditions.
“Things were no longer going well in Bamenda. I decided to move to Yaoundé to find better gyms and continue my journey,” he explains.
This move became a turning point in his career.
A national champion and a place in Cameroon’s national team
After years of hard work, results finally came. In 2023, Desmond Chamako took part in his first official competition, the Cameroon National Bodybuilding Championship.
His first experience turned into a major success: he won the title and became national champion.
This achievement caught the attention of the Cameroon Bodybuilding Federation (FECABOF), under the leadership of President Ashley Balemania, which decided to integrate him into the national team.
From then on, the athlete began a more demanding preparation with one clear objective: to proudly represent Cameroon on the international stage.
“When you represent your country, you are not only representing yourself. You represent the federation and above all Cameroon, the 237,” he says.
A champion supported by entrepreneurship
Behind his sporting achievements is also an entrepreneur. Desmond Chamako runs a restaurant that today plays a key role in financing his bodybuilding career.
For him, bodybuilding is one of the most financially demanding sports. A specific diet, equipment, sportswear, and preparation costs require daily investment.
“Eating clean is very expensive. You also need the necessary equipment and must maintain a strict lifestyle,” he explains.
His business has therefore become the main financial support behind his sporting journey.
Family support during difficult times
Despite his success, Desmond Chamako admits that the road has never been easy, especially financially.
When business slows down, he has to find other ways to keep moving forward. His mother, who runs a small shop in the village, remains an important source of support.
“When things become really difficult, I call her and she always does her best to send us something so we can manage,” he says.
Moving to Yaoundé also brought additional challenges. According to him, life in the capital is more expensive and more difficult, but determination remains stronger than the obstacles.
Trophies that tell a story
During his meeting with the press, the Cameroonian champion presented the different awards he earned at the World Bodybuilding Championship.
His achievements include:
a silver medal in Men’s Physique, finishing second;
a gold medal in Classic Men’s Physique, becoming world champion in the category;
a silver medal in the Pro category after qualifying to compete against professional athletes;
international recognition granting him International Pro Bodybuilder status;
a trophy for finishing as the second-best athlete in the world in Classic Men’s Physique under the WFF federation.
For Desmond, these awards represent years of sacrifice and hard work.
“You never truly know your level until competition day. You work hard aiming for the best, without knowing exactly who your opponents will be,” he explains.
A future focused on the international stage
Today, Desmond Chamako aims to continue his rise and keep representing Cameroon in major international competitions.
His story, which started in a small gym in Bamenda with homemade equipment, has become a symbol of perseverance.
Through his trophies, the champion is celebrating more than sporting victories. He is telling the story of a man who chose to turn difficulties into strength and believe in his dream until the very end.
