At just 24 years old, Ashraf Luddy has built a sporting career that many athletes spend a lifetime pursuing.
From natural bodybuilding championships to multiple martial arts backgrounds – including judo, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, archery, gymnastics, table tennis, and chess – Ashraf has expanded into athletics and marathon racing, establishing himself as one of the country’s most versatile athletes.
Born and raised in Cape Town, his life journey and achievements are the stuff that dreams are made of.
Growing up in an orphanage, Luddy faced trials and tribulations from an early age, but that fuelled his passion to change his life and to succeed.
He developed a strong passion for sport during high school, where he spent most afternoons training in the gym.
This early dedication laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to physical development and competitive sport.
Despite injuries, limited support, and personal challenges Ashraf continues to compete and expand his skill set; he represents a new generation of South African athletes – multi-talented, disciplined, and unafraid to push beyond traditional sporting boundaries.
“I am a South African multi-sport athlete involved in 18 sports, competing at provincial, national, international and world levels. I began competing in bodybuilding in 2020 and have since expanded into karate, judo, jiu-jitsu, archery, gymnastics, kickboxing, chess, table tennis, and athletics (such as long-distance running and marathon racing).
“I am really trying to put myself out there. I am just an orphan, a young man, living at a shelter chasing after a dream,” Luddy told Sunday World.
In 2020, Ashraf made his competitive debut at the Cape Peninsula Championships held at the Bellville Sanlam Civic Centre, where he competed in the post-show event later that evening and won first place in his category – an achievement that ignited his commitment to competitive bodybuilding.
Like many young athletes, Ashraf’s early career included setbacks, often in the beginning, placing last due to limited knowledge of nutrition, supplementation, advanced training techniques, as well as minimal support.
A turning point came in 2021, when he completely took the standards of his training and performance to a new level, transforming both his physique and competitive mindset.
2021: Western Province Natural Bodybuilding Championship: 2nd place – junior bodybuilding
South African Natural Bodybuilding Championship: 2nd place – junior bodybuilding
2022: International Natural Bodybuilding Association Championships: 2nd place – junior bodybuilding (under 60kg)
2023: Western Province Natural Bodybuilding Championship: 2nd place – junior bodybuilding (under 65kg)
Today, Luddy holds multiple provincial, national, and international natural bodybuilding titles, establishing himself as a respected competitor in the natural bodybuilding
community.
While bodybuilding shaped his physique, martial arts shaped his character. Ashraf began Kyokushin karate in 2022 and quickly made an impact, placing at provincial and national tournaments despite serious injuries.
He has trained across multiple martial arts styles, including judo, jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, Kyokushin Kaikan karate, Goju-Ryu Kai karate, SA JKA karate and Extreme Kenpo karate, among others. His dedication to learning multiple systems has earned him recognition as a committed and versatile martial artist in South Africa.
In 2024, Ashraf entered gymnastics, performing acrobatic routines and serving as a base during group routines, showcasing exceptional coordination, balance, and strength.
He also competed in table tennis and chess, developing reflexes, strategic thinking, and cognitive discipline – further strengthening his all-round athletic profile.
He recently expanded into athletics, focusing on long-distance running and marathon racing. This marks a new phase in his sporting journey, highlighting his commitment to endurance performance, cardiovascular conditioning, and mental toughness.
“Success is built on discipline, consistency, and resilience. My training focuses on structured programming, progressive overload, strict nutrition, technical skill development and continuous self-improvement.
“I also view setbacks, injuries and losses as essential learning experiences,” he added.
