It has only been men taking part in body building championships at international and national levels, so far. Now, for the first time, a Bhutanese woman who happens to be a school teacher is participating in the World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship in Hungary in November.
Yeatoeh Lhamu Penjore, 22, says she has never been into sports her whole life, but she is the first woman to represent Bhutan at the World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship.
Yeatoeh, who once weighed 67 kilograms, is now 53 kilos. She lost 14 kilograms over a year and a half. “I have thought I would represent Bhutan in anything,” she said.
She was the odd one out in a family full of fitness enthusiasts. Her family has been her biggest support system, she says.
Though little nervous, she says she is proud to represent Bhutan.
She works out 45 minutes, five days a week at the gym besides doing cardio in the morning. Yeatoeh will be competing in the model physique category. She leaves the country this Saturday for the competition. Her participation is being funded by the Bhutan Olympic Committee.