Body-Builder Making Manipur Proud

Manipur, which has produced many world-class sportspersons like Mary Kom, Sandhya Rani and Renubala Chanu, has added yet another feather to its cap in the form of 2010 World Body Building Championship winner A Bobby Singh.

Thirty-five year-old Singh, who has become the talk of the town after clinching the gold medal in the World Body Building Championship, has been felicitated with many a honours and awards since his win.

Singh's sporting career began as a gymnast, which was followed by the athletics and finally came bodybuilding.

The breakthrough came in 1995 when Bobby won both junior and senior Mr. Manipur title.

This was followed by successive medals at different competitions like fourth position at 11th Asian Junior Body Building Championship in New Delhi in 1996.

"The first Mr. World championship title was won in 1988 by Premchand and then after so many years I won the same title from India. So I am happy and this is one of my biggest achievements in my life as a body builder," said Singh.

Bobby Singh has really worked hard to turn his dream into reality.

He began working as a clerk in the railway department to earn money for his family even as he kept his dream alive.

Singh is now looking at competing in international events and is sparing no effort to improve his performance.

"Every one knows that health is an important aspect of life and without which we cannot do anything. I am maintaining my body and health in a proper way to so that I can perform well and have the peace of mind at the same time," said Singh.

"Bobby is preparing hard for the upcoming body building championships at the international level," added Bobby Singh's coach Gojendra Singh.

Bobby Singh, who hails from the suburban village of Lilong Chaing Mairenkhong Leikai, comes from an underprivileged background. His father died when he was very young and his mother supported him since then.

"When Bobby was young he worked as a labourer. One day when I came back from work he told me that he wanted to go to a gym. But I could not give him the money," said Singh's mother Dashumati Devi.

"So he tried hard to earn it himself. He even went away from home to earn some money and sent me a letter not to worry about him," she added.

Bobby Singh is today an inspiration for the youth and has proved that nothing is impossible when backed by a strong will.