Bhutan will once again take centre stage in regional physique sports as the country prepares to host the 16th South Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship in Thimphu. The championship will take place from June 30th to July 4th, bringing together top physique athletes from across South Asia.
The championship will see competitors from eight South Asian nations. That includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka contesting for regional honours.
Around 200 athletes had registered for the competition, including 35 from Bhutan, 15 of whom are women, indicating rising participation, particularly among female athletes.
The athletes will be competing in 15 different height and weight categories. The overall winner will be crowned Mr South Asia 2026 and will receive a cash prize of USD 5,000, with a championship trophy.
This will be the third time Bhutan has hosted the regional championship, underscoring the country’s growing capacity to stage international sporting events.
“We held the championship last year as well, the 15th South Asian Bodybuilding. The organisers of the South Asian Bodybuilding, they sanctioned this event because we did a great job. So, I would like to thank the entire team and also the country because they were very hospitable, and that’s why we got this opportunity. And in fact, we’ve had an overwhelming number of participants also from the home country, from Bhutan; we have had more than 35 participants, so it will be quite exciting,” said Sonam Penjor (PhD), President, Bhutan Bodybuilding Association.
The championship is organised by the Bhutan Bodybuilding Association under the South Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Federation, with sanction from the World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Federation.
The Bhutan Bodybuilding Association also confirmed that the prejudging round for Mr Bhutan will take place in Paro on 4th July, followed by the final competition in Thimphu on 5th July.
Namgay Wangdi
