By A Staff Writer
Kochi: Majiziya Bhanu, 23, a student of Dental Sciences, was declared the winner of a bodybuilding championship held here on September 9. But sadly enough, the young sportswoman is finding no support to participate in the World Arm Wrestling Championship under 55 kg category in Turkey in October. The event is slated for October 13-22 in Antalya region in Turkey. She has booked her ticket to travel to Turkey on Oct. 11. The sportswoman also requires funds for constantly upgrading her dieting and other supplements. Her father works as a private cab driver. Mother is a housewife.
Speaking to Islamic Voice on phone from her native village Orkatteri in Calicut district, Majiziya said she has been looking around for sponsors. The final year BDS student was on the way to a bench press competition in Alappuzha in the first week of September when someone suggested that she should try her luck at the bodybuilding championship too. She was encouraged by her fiance, Noor Ahamed. Her parents, Abdul Majeed and Raziya, offered their full support. And the strong woman from the suburbs of Kozhikode stormed into the Kochi championship to flex her muscles. She struck to her favourite suit, the hijab, with which she had been attending powerlifting contest.
Bhanu, who has been training to be a powerlifter for over a year, said that she was clueless about bodybuilding contests when got onto the stage for the semifinals. She did not even know how to pose on stage. She was so tense that she forgot to forge a smile on her face. To her surprise, she was selected to the final.
Officials from the Bodybuilding Association of Kerala encouraged her. They told her she had a good chance and a little smile would not hurt. Bhanu had her hands full though. She had to take part in the bench press championship in Alappuzha on Sept. 10 morning. She topped the senior women’s section in the 52-kg category. She was crowned the ‘Best Lifter of Kerala”.
Equipped with quick tips from the male bodybuilders from her home district, Bhanu faced the crowd with confidence. There was no turning back. She beat the other finalists, including a professional from Mumbai. Bhanu said that she wanted to be a boxer. Her trainer Ramesh, however, suggested that she should focus on powerlifting. She travels from her village in Orkkatteri to the Kozhikode town every week to train with instructor Jayadas.
Bhanu has been representing her college in several tournaments. She has her eyes set on an international powerlifting title.
She can be contacted on whatsapp no. 95445-45411, cell: 94461-79069, email: [email protected]
COMMENTS