Aziz Alsaleh, Boys 16-17 Division: “When I was 12 years old, I was extremely obese — almost 100kg (220 lbs) at only 5’2. Because of that, I had serious health problems and was bullied in school for being the ‘fat kid.’ Those years were tough, and my only goal back then was just to feel healthy and confident in my own skin. “That’s what first led me into training. At the beginning, it was only about losing weight, but over time I fell in love with the process of pushing myself. My brother and cousin were the ones who introduced me to CrossFit, and that completely changed my life. “Step by step, I went from being the kid no one believed in to becoming a competitive athlete. The same kid who was once bullied for his weight is now standing on the biggest stage in our sport. “Fast forward to now: I’ve qualified for the 2025 CrossFit Games, representing Kuwait and the Middle East. For me, this isn’t just about competing. It’s about showing people that no matter where you start — even if y...