KARMA CHOGYAL YOEZER| Thimphu
For the third time, the competition held in Bhutan witnessed various competitors participating in several classes of bodybuilding and physique competition.
In addition to the medal competition, the organizing body saw the competition as an avenue to foster collaboration within the region and promote physical fitness among the youth.
Throughout the five-day event, audiences were able to see firsthand what the athletes had accomplished through months and even years of hard work and discipline both in training and dieting.
The tournament also acted as an information exchange between athletes, coaches, judges, and officials from the South Asian bodybuilding community.
World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Federation’s Secretary General, Chetan M. Pathare stated that this championship was a true representation of regional cooperation and promotion of healthy living outside the sports environment as well.
“This particular competition brings the entire South Asian fraternity together in the spirit of sport,” he said. “Bodybuilding is no more just a sport; it is a lifestyle that everybody needs to adopt. Every sport requires physical conditioning, and those exercises are also part of bodybuilding. All the athletes and officials are brand ambassadors promoting a healthy lifestyle to the wider community.”
Chetan M. Pathare said that there has been considerable advancement in bodybuilding in Bhutan in recent years. Participation in international events and the number of athletes in the sport suggest that the sport is picking up steam in the country.
“Bhutan has really emerged as a hub for bodybuilding. Earlier, Bhutan participated in international competitions with only one or two athletes. Last year, the country fielded around 17 or 18 athletes, and this year the number has increased further, with many athletes competing and several winning medals. This demonstrates the positive impact of organizing championships in Bhutan,” he said.
Hosting the tournament has also offered the Bhutanese athletes a chance to face off against some of the best body builders in the region without traveling out of the country. The sports organizers feel that this sort of exposure is important for technical development.
One person who benefited from the tournament was Bhutanese bodybuilder Ugyen Tashi, who has been participating in the tournaments since 2019. According to him, there has been tremendous growth in the sport since then, especially among youths.
“Since I started competing in 2019, I have seen the number of young participant increase, including both men and women,” he said. “People now better understand the importance of fitness. Initially, my goal was simply to win trophies, but over time I realised the value of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and it has positively influenced my everyday life.”
This is reflective of the shift in attitudes towards bodybuilding in Bhutan. Bodybuilding, which was once considered a competitive activity, is now becoming more popular as an avenue for maintaining physical well-being, mental wellness, and general lifestyle enhancement. Gym culture has been on the rise in the country in recent times, with many young people taking up bodybuilding.
This championship also brought to attention the level at which body building had risen in South Asia. International participants stated that this was one of the most competitive and professionally organized events of the year.
Representing Nepal, Sagendra Singh, 38, praised the quality of competition and the efforts made by the organisers.
“The standard of the championship is high, with many participants making the competition both challenging and rewarding. The overall management and hospitality provided by the organizers have also been excellent,” he said.
Indian athlete Pratap Kalkundrikar also commended the organizers for creating a welcoming environment for visiting competitors.
“The management of the tournament and the hospitality provided to us have been very satisfying,” he said.
The successful organization of the championship also provided valuable experience for Bhutanese technical officials, volunteers and event managers. Such exposure is expected to strengthen the country’s capacity to host future regional and international sporting events.
President Bhutan Bodybuilding Association and the Vice President of the Asian Bodybuilding & Physique Sports Dr Sonam MaekayPenjor said hosting the championship for the third time had already produced visible results in the development of bodybuilding in Bhutan.
“Having the championship here for the third time has resulted in increase in athlete participation, and the promotion of the sport has been vibrant,” he said. “With the venue located in the heart of Thimphu, more people are becoming aware of the importance of bodybuilding and physical fitness.”
Sports officials believe sustained investment in bodybuilding and fitness will continue to encourage young Bhutanese to adopt healthier lifestyles while creating more opportunities for athletes to compete internationally. They say regular exposure to high-level competitions enables local athletes to improve their performance and inspires the next generation to pursue excellence in sport.
As the championship concluded, organizers described the event as a success not only because of the level of competition but also because of the message it conveyed. They said bodybuilding should be recognized not merely as a display of physical strength but as a discipline that promotes commitment, self-control, perseverance and lifelong health.
Looking ahead, organizers hope the championship’s legacy will extend beyond the medals awarded in Thimphu. They believe the event has laid a stronger foundation for bodybuilding in Bhutan, strengthened friendships among South Asian nations and enhanced Bhutan’s reputation as a capable host of international sporting events.
Dr Sonam MeakeyPenjor said the ultimate success of the championship would be measured by its long-term impact on public health and participation in sport.
“We hope the championship will spread awareness about a healthy lifestyle and encourage more people to take care of their health. This kind of initiative is well considered because once we start hosting more such events, more people around the world will know about Bhutan and help strengthen the country’s brand” he added.
Bhutan adds brawn to regional sporting ties through South Asian bodybuilding championship
KARMA CHOGYAL YOEZER| Thimphu
For the third time, the competition held in Bhutan witnessed various competitors participating in several classes of bodybuilding and physique competition.
In addition to the medal competition, the organizing body saw the competition as an avenue to foster collaboration within the region and promote physical fitness among the youth.
Throughout the five-day event, audiences were able to see firsthand what the athletes had accomplished through months and even years of hard work and discipline both in training and dieting.
The tournament also acted as an information exchange between athletes, coaches, judges, and officials from the South Asian bodybuilding community.
World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Federation’s Secretary General, Chetan M. Pathare stated that this championship was a true representation of regional cooperation and promotion of healthy living outside the sports environment as well.
“This particular competition brings the entire South Asian fraternity together in the spirit of sport,” he said. “Bodybuilding is no more just a sport; it is a lifestyle that everybody needs to adopt. Every sport requires physical conditioning, and those exercises are also part of bodybuilding. All the athletes and officials are brand ambassadors promoting a healthy lifestyle to the wider community.”
Chetan M. Pathare said that there has been considerable advancement in bodybuilding in Bhutan in recent years. Participation in international events and the number of athletes in the sport suggest that the sport is picking up steam in the country.
“Bhutan has really emerged as a hub for bodybuilding. Earlier, Bhutan participated in international competitions with only one or two athletes. Last year, the country fielded around 17 or 18 athletes, and this year the number has increased further, with many athletes competing and several winning medals. This demonstrates the positive impact of organizing championships in Bhutan,” he said.
Hosting the tournament has also offered the Bhutanese athletes a chance to face off against some of the best body builders in the region without traveling out of the country. The sports organizers feel that this sort of exposure is important for technical development.
One person who benefited from the tournament was Bhutanese bodybuilder Ugyen Tashi, who has been participating in the tournaments since 2019. According to him, there has been tremendous growth in the sport since then, especially among youths.
“Since I started competing in 2019, I have seen the number of young participant increase, including both men and women,” he said. “People now better understand the importance of fitness. Initially, my goal was simply to win trophies, but over time I realised the value of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and it has positively influenced my everyday life.”
This is reflective of the shift in attitudes towards bodybuilding in Bhutan. Bodybuilding, which was once considered a competitive activity, is now becoming more popular as an avenue for maintaining physical well-being, mental wellness, and general lifestyle enhancement. Gym culture has been on the rise in the country in recent times, with many young people taking up bodybuilding.
This championship also brought to attention the level at which body building had risen in South Asia. International participants stated that this was one of the most competitive and professionally organized events of the year.
Representing Nepal, Sagendra Singh, 38, praised the quality of competition and the efforts made by the organisers.
“The standard of the championship is high, with many participants making the competition both challenging and rewarding. The overall management and hospitality provided by the organizers have also been excellent,” he said.
Indian athlete Pratap Kalkundrikar also commended the organizers for creating a welcoming environment for visiting competitors.
“The management of the tournament and the hospitality provided to us have been very satisfying,” he said.
The successful organization of the championship also provided valuable experience for Bhutanese technical officials, volunteers and event managers. Such exposure is expected to strengthen the country’s capacity to host future regional and international sporting events.
President Bhutan Bodybuilding Association and the Vice President of the Asian Bodybuilding & Physique Sports Dr Sonam MaekayPenjor said hosting the championship for the third time had already produced visible results in the development of bodybuilding in Bhutan.
“Having the championship here for the third time has resulted in increase in athlete participation, and the promotion of the sport has been vibrant,” he said. “With the venue located in the heart of Thimphu, more people are becoming aware of the importance of bodybuilding and physical fitness.”
Sports officials believe sustained investment in bodybuilding and fitness will continue to encourage young Bhutanese to adopt healthier lifestyles while creating more opportunities for athletes to compete internationally. They say regular exposure to high-level competitions enables local athletes to improve their performance and inspires the next generation to pursue excellence in sport.
As the championship concluded, organizers described the event as a success not only because of the level of competition but also because of the message it conveyed. They said bodybuilding should be recognized not merely as a display of physical strength but as a discipline that promotes commitment, self-control, perseverance and lifelong health.
Looking ahead, organizers hope the championship’s legacy will extend beyond the medals awarded in Thimphu. They believe the event has laid a stronger foundation for bodybuilding in Bhutan, strengthened friendships among South Asian nations and enhanced Bhutan’s reputation as a capable host of international sporting events.
Dr Sonam MeakeyPenjor said the ultimate success of the championship would be measured by its long-term impact on public health and participation in sport.
“We hope the championship will spread awareness about a healthy lifestyle and encourage more people to take care of their health. This kind of initiative is well considered because once we start hosting more such events, more people around the world will know about Bhutan and help strengthen the country’s brand” he added.
