A Filipino personal trainer based in Dubai has been officially ranked as the number one powerlifter in the -93kg category across the United Arab Emirates, following his performance at the 2025 Rising Showdown in Fujairah.
Allen Kester Pedraja, 34, who hails from San Pablo City, Laguna, secured the top spot despite not breaking any national records during the competition. “Really proud and honored,” Pedraja said. “With all those different nationalities and strong guys in the sport, we managed to be on top of them. Especially since my category is one of the most competitive.”
Pedraja, who has been living overseas for 14 years and working as a personal trainer for more than eight, began his powerlifting journey in 2022 after a friend introduced him to the sport. “Alam ko lang is to always lift as heavy as I can,” he said. “I didn’t know may sport pala to really maximize my potential. I tried it and fell in love with it right there and then.”
Since then, he has won every competition he joined and placed first in his last two events.
His background as a fitness professional helped him transition into competitive lifting. “I already have the basics and fundamentals on how to properly execute the movements,” he said. “Most of all, I knew which exercises to use to build strength and recover properly.”
Preparing for a meet typically takes 12 weeks, Pedraja said, with training phases, a strict diet, and adequate recovery. “Since day one, I always had the mindset of winning. So my only mindset was to go big or go home—win!”
He considers reaching the top of the UAE rankings a personal milestone. “I was 2nd and 3rd for the past two years. Having my name listed as number one was already a huge achievement.”
Despite a demanding schedule, he continues to balance client sessions and his own training. “Mahirap siya,” he admitted. “But I never allow myself to have a reason not to train. Always make time.”
To fellow Filipinos aspiring to enter strength sports, Pedraja advises: “Don’t stop training. It doesn’t happen overnight. Consistency will always be the key to everything. Train hard, eat right, and be healthy.”
