Assane Dieye Sosso is 31 years old. This Frenchman from Rennes has been practicing bodybuilding in the men’s physical category for 8 years and at a competitive level for 4 years. Champion of the Grand Prix of the Alps at the beginning of April, he tells us about his sport, which combines extreme rigour and deprivation. But also pleasure: that of achieving one’s ideal.
1m 90, 108 kilos, these are the current measurements of Assane Dieye Sosso. This athlete gained more than 6 kilos in two days, after the French bodybuilding final, which took place on April 22.
Assou, as he is nicknamed by those close to him, finished in the top 14 of his men’s physical category. At the beginning of April, he automatically qualified for this event by winning the Grand Prix of the Alps, which was considered sufficiently “sharp”.
Time to choose
These days, Assane is resting, even if he continues to train in the gym. “The season is over,” he says, and he adds with a smile: “I can eat whatever I want, at least for a week!
The recent final in Biarritz, France, made him wonder, especially about the choice of the category in which he competed. Will he have to change? The male physique implies a certain level of muscle mass and quality. Yovan Delourme, his coach, says: “It has to be symmetrical, harmonious, halfway between too much and too little enough.”
Except that his protégé becomes bulkier by choice and could move into the next category: Classic man. His size would allow him to reach up to 110 kilos. You have to keep thinking about it and enjoy this break: “Here I am in a period of weight gain, my body is less defined, half dry, half voluminous”.
Extreme body changes are the result of discipline. “Some of my friends prefer me now, a little more coated. Others, when they are thinner. ”
” In running, they say you have to ‘skin’ yourselfA
former competitive basketball player, Assane is switching to bodybuilding after several ligament injuries. He won the first bodybuilding competition in which he participated. “Bodybuilding is between me and me. In team sports, you can blame others, blame them. Here, it’s a personal challenge, my problem. I shape my body in my image. »
We don’t just lift iron, it’s a very mental sport.
“The preparation is rigorous. During periods of drought (maximum three months), i.e. those when he sculpts his body before a race, there are many deprivations. “I train two hours a day, I lift weights, I do cardio. I also follow a food plan: based on proteins, carbohydrates.” In competition, you have to skin yourself, all the muscles become obvious. “
Everything intensifies as the big day approaches. The rations change. Water is consumed in large quantities: 7 liters per day, for three days the week before the race. This quantity then decreases drastically, “the day before, I drink 25 cl, to have a better muscle density”.
This sports and diet diet is difficult: “I’m very tired, my head is spinning. I’m also irritable, it’s not easy for the people around me. I am briefly angry. The fact that you’re always hungry, that you’re tired, it’s not easy. It’s better to talk to me after eating,” he exclaims, laughing.
“Yes, it’s torture, but going on stage means we did it! The reward is the stage, we are beautiful! »
Outside the gym, Assane is a sales agent. The discipline does not pay in France, unlike in other countries such as the United States. “Here, we only have notoriety, which can then bring us sponsors, for proteins, equipment.”
The young man is still seen continuing for 3 or 4 years. He knows that he must listen to his body, to avoid injuries. While waiting for retirement, the next event will be the Coupe de France in October.