Bhutan is all set to host the 15th South Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships 2025 in Thimphu next week. After 14 years, the country is hosting the regional bodybuilding event, with athletes from across South Asia gathering at the iconic Clock Tower Square.
The championship will be held from June 11 to 14, with 67 athletes from Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Afghanistan, and Pakistan taking part.
The athletes will be competing in 20 different height and weight categories. The overall winner will be crowned Mr. South Asia 2025.
Among Bhutan’s 22 athletes is 35-year-old Mahalal Rai from Tsirang. He will compete in the Men’s Athletic Physique Category.
This will be his second international appearance after competing in the World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships in the Maldives last year. He was the first runner-up in the open category of the National Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship last year and the winner of the Sports Physique Category in 2023.
“I have been preparing for this competition for about four months. My training and diet have been going well. I am giving my best effort, and I really hope to win a gold medal and make the people of Bhutan proud and happy,” said Mahalal Rai, Participant, South Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships 2025.
Similarly, 32-year-old Kinzang Deki from Thimphu will compete in the Women’s Swimsuit Open and Women’s Model Physique categories. This is her first international competition.
However, she has participated in the national bodybuilding championship four times and won the Women’s Model Physique title last year.
“I have been training for about three months for this competition. Right now, I am in the cutting phase, which means following a very strict diet. We have to be careful about what we eat and stay disciplined. It is a tough time that requires a lot of hard work and self-control,” said Kinzang Deki, Participant, South Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships 2025.
21 Bhutanese athletes will compete internationally for the first time.
“This will be my first experience. It’s challenging, as you need a lot of discipline and dedication to be a competitor. Still, I am very excited about the upcoming event, even though it’s tough,” said Bikash Rai, Participant, South Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships 2025.
“We have to focus on both our diet and training. Sticking to a diet is very difficult, and many people give up because of it. We need to consume a lot of protein. If we don’t, it can lead to health problems, so we have to take good care of our health,” said Ajini Lama, Participant, South Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships 2025.
Ahead of the event, the Bhutan Bodybuilding Association held a meeting with the athletes.
“Year after year, we can see the number of athletes increasing. They are putting in so much time and effort behind the scenes for months, preparing and giving their blood, sweat, and tears. When people can see them at a venue like the Clock Tower, it means the sport has only grown,” said Sonam Penjor (PhD), President, Bhutan Bodybuilding Association.
The championship is being organised under the auspices of the South Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Federation, with support from the Bhutan Olympic Committee.
It is also officially recognised by the world and Asian bodybuilding and physique sports federations, ensuring its international significance.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Kipchu
