Bodybuilder crossing over to strongman.

On National Day in Bhutan, the Bhutan Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Federation (BBWF) hosted a lifting competition in the Bhutanese capitol of Thimphu.

The city has a population of just over 100 thousand, and of these, 5 women and 18 men including white collar workers, military personnel, and professional athletes, appeared to contend against the weights.

BBWF President Sonam Tobgay Dorji told Kuensel Online that the event was designed to generate interest in fitness among the local youth:

“The competition is held to promote health and fitness and to help youth get an international platform in future.”

The contest was a sort of strongman and powerlifting hybrid. Each athlete performed four sets of the traditional three strength lifts- deadlift, bench press, and squat- along with a distance farmer’s carry.

Thinley Dorji, an international bodybuilding champion, performed extremely well, winning the title of Bhutan’s Strongest Man along with a trophy and a cash prize of Nu 30,000 (about $466).

He was excited for the opportunity to display the functional fitness brought to him by bodybuilding:

“One should take bodybuilding as a lifestyle to live a healthy life. We should take up the sport not to be a bodybuilder, but to stay fit.”

In the female division, a Bhutan Basketball Federation coach named Tshewang Dema rose to the top. She received the title Bhutan’s Strongest Woman, along with the trophy and a prize of Nu 15,000 (about $233).

Dema was thrilled with her performance:

“I did not expect to win as I took part for the first time. But it was a positive mind and the support of my colleagues that gave me the title.”

Gyem Tshering from Dagana, who was an anticipated contender, performed disappointingly in the competition. He achieved 29 repetitions of the 120kg (264lb) back squats, but only 1 repetition of the 100kg (220lb) bench press.

In way of an explanation, he said that specific training is necessary to perform well at specific competitions:

“I was in the gym a day ahead of the competition for practice. Strongman competitions, traditional and modern are equally tough but the traditional competition has more weight and distance.”

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