Indian bodybuilder Sangram Chougule bagged 'Mr. South Asia' title in the 'Ninth South Asian Bodybuilding Championship' held on Sunday in Ludhiana, Punjab.
The participating countries-India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal and others had eight-member teams, except the host India, which was represented by a 16-member team. The Chairman of Punjab Amateur Bodybuilding Association, Prem Chand Degra, said that such championship would encourage the bodybuilders to take part and represent India in international events in the future.
"A total of five countries participated in the ninth South Asian bodybuilding championship including Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and India. Sangram Chougule has won the title of Mr South Asia. We are very happy that Indian bodybuilder has won the championship. I also hope that the budding bodybuilders and champions will perform and represent India and make India proud," said Degra.
The semi-finals were held on November 03, while the final commenced on Sunday. Mr. South Asia and well-known, Indian bodybuilder, Sangram Chougule expressed his happiness as he won the championship. "I do not have words to express my happiness after the victory as I was preparing for it since one year. I had lost Mr. India title twice but last time I qualified for the federation cup and I have won the first title in Ludhiana. I am very happy and excited," said Chougle.
India refused to allow Pakistan to participate in the championship, with the government refusing to give a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to Pakistan.
One of the officials said that he discussed the matter with the Indian and Asian Bodybuilding Federations, who were equally disappointed and said that it was a big loss for the event.
The championship witnessed a tough competition between bodybuilders including Mujahid Hussain, Muhammad Imtiaz, Khaliq Ali, Idrees Sajjad, Ashraf Ali, Muhammad Azeem, Khalid Ali Malik Shafqaat and Fida Hussain who participated in categories ranging from 55 kilograms to 90 kilograms.
