Bhutan wrapped up a successful campaign at the 16th South Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships 2026, finishing the two-day competition with an impressive haul of four gold, three silver, and eight bronze medals. The championship concluded yesterday at Thimphu’s Clock Tower Square, bringing together 112 athletes from seven South Asian nations.
The highlight of the final day came from seasoned bodybuilder Mahalal Rai, who clinched gold in the senior men’s bodybuilding up to 75kg category. The 36-year-old from Tsirang outperformed eight competitors representing four countries to claim the title, adding another milestone to an already distinguished career.
Rai has steadily established himself as one of Bhutan’s leading bodybuilding athletes. After winning gold in the men’s athletic physique (up to 167cm) category at the South Asian Championships in 2025, he went on to secure the prestigious Mr Bhutan 2025 title. Reflecting on his latest achievement, Rai credited the victory to the unwavering support of the Bhutanese people.
“This gold medal is not mine alone. It belongs to everyone who believed in me, encouraged me, and supported me throughout this journey,” he said.
Bhutan also enjoyed success in the women’s divisions. Choki Wangmo earned a bronze medal in the women’s model physique up to 155cm category after competing against athletes from Bhutan and India. Ugyen Pema added two bronze medals to Bhutan’s tally, finishing third in both the women’s physique over 155cm category and the women’s swimsuit physique open event, which featured competitors from Bhutan, India, and Nepal.
The country’s final medal on the concluding day came in the mixed pairs open category, where Choki Wangmo and Jigme Dukpa secured bronze among six teams representing Bhutan, India, and Sri Lanka.
The championship featured contests across 20 weight and height divisions, while the coveted Mr South Asia 2026 title was contested exclusively in the senior men’s open bodybuilding category. India’s Rahul Singh Chauhan emerged victorious to claim the regional crown along with a cash prize of USD 5,000.
Speaking after his victory, Chauhan highlighted the perseverance required to succeed in the sport.
“Every athlete faces challenges, but I remain committed to my training and disciplined with my diet. Pushing beyond my limits has helped me achieve success, and I will continue striving to improve,” he said.
Hosted over two days, the championship brought together athletes from Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Bhutan concluded the competition with a total of 15 medals, underlining the country’s growing strength in bodybuilding and physique sports at the regional level.
