Olasunbo Shefiu Onifade
He goes by the alias "Malik Tyrone" and ranks as one of Nigeria's most accomplished bodybuilders! Malik Tyrone first took up the sport in the year 2011, when he was based in Lagos, Nigeria and stepped things up a few gears upon moving to the Middle East in 2016/17. This was when his bodybuilding career began to take full flight, beginning with a 6th place finish at the Dubai muscle show in 2017, followed by a 5th place finish at the Ain Legends championship in Al Ain, UAE in 2018. The year 2019 marked a watershed moment for Tyrone, as he made away with the overall title at that year's edition of the IFBB/ABBFN Ultimate Night of Champions in Lagos. Having conquered Nigeria, Africa was to follow in quick succession, as Tyrone stormed the 2019 Arnold Classic championships held in Johannesburg, South Africa, dominating his division and finishing second overall at the event. After those heady days, it was time to step back from the spotlight for a bit and strategize for the next phase of his journey. That decision looks to have paid off handsomely as Tyrone returned to the stage with a bang, beating all comers to the overall title at the Ajimal International bodybuilding championships in early 2023. This feat ensured that Tyrone secured an IFBB Elite Pro card, and already has some pro shows lined up within the Emirates on the horizon.
Looking into the future, the man from Lagos says he's certainly not done yet. "I would like this journey that I have been on for the last 12 years to end on an Olympia podium, insha Allah." It would take a brave man to bet against this possibility becoming a probability!
Tyrone is presently based in the United Arab Emirates.
