Lebanese kick-boxer Ahmed Labban has celebrated winning his the first challenge of Invictus Season 3 by Paco Rabanne – a gruelling ‘fitness until exhaustion’ test.
– Invictus: Labban going for glory in season 3
– Invictus: Labban prepares for season start
The Beirut-born athlete is the first ever Middle East competitor of the Invictus Award, which sees 10 challengers from all over the world competing for a chance to win Dhs 206,000 (€50,000) for their respective charity project.
The ‘fitness until exhaustion’ challenge saw the 10 competitors carry out a number of different exercises – from skipping to squat jumps – until the fatigue proved too much for their bodies.
With each competitor surrendering due to the intensity of the workout, Ahmed and Gabriel from Brazil were the two remaining athletes.
Ahmed never gave up, explaining: “[It] is like a fight. It’s like I’m fighting in the ring.”
As both athletes ground out their last beads of energy, they were placed in a front plank position to stabilise their battered bodies.
Gabriel dropped to the ground accepting defeat after over ninety minutes of physical exercise, and ensuring Ahmed was victorious.
‘It was all about spirit, that’s what made me win. It was an unbelievable feeling to win this stage,” said Ahmed.
“I never gave up, because I don’t give up when I’m tired, only when I’m done.”
Each of the competitors for the Invictus Award has a different story to tell and a different charity project as their motivation.
Online users can vote for Ahmed on the dedicated Invitus digital platform – www.pacorabanne.com/invictus – as well as on Sport360.com.