From amateur gold to professional glory
Nearly three decades later, that childhood ambition has become reality, with Salie claiming the Classic Professional Bodybuilding title at the National Amateur Body-Builders’ Association (NABBA) Mr & Miss Universe 2026 competition in Newcastle, England, on Sunday, November 1.
It was quite a day for the first-time international competitor, who had already spent several hours backstage before his first appearance.
Salie initially entered the Classic Amateur Bodybuilding Division, where he won gold and earned his professional card. That allowed him to enter the professional Classic Bodybuilding lineup later that evening.
By then, however, he was running on empty.
