Egyptian bodybuilder collects trash to fund his dream

Egyptian weightlifter Ali el Sharkawi trains in Tanta, Gharbia, Egypt February 2, 2023. Sharkawi, who won the bronze medal twice in national championships, is one of many Egyptian athletes who complain about the struggle to find sponsorship as he has been working as a garbage collector to fund his training. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

Nationally ranked bodybuilder Ali el-Sharkawy trains in the evenings, but only after the 29-year-old has spent the morning collecting rubbish to support himself through his sporting career.

Although he has won accolades including two bronze medals at national championships, like many other Egyptian athletes practising individual sports, he has been unable to secure funding or external support.