KATHMANDU, Dec 5: Nepali bodybuilder Nanita Maharjan has won bronze medal in the World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Federation (WBPF) Championship in Pattaya, Thailand on Sunday. 

Nanita bagged the bronze in the women's athletic physique 165 cm event defeating Sun Su Ting of Taiwan and Alesandra Da Silva of Italy in the final round of the championship.

This is the first occasion in which Nepali female bodybuilder won medal in international stage. Nanita is the second female bodybuilder to participate in international championship. Earlier Nirmala Maharjan had participated in the 7th edition of World Championship and 50th edition of Asian Championship held in Thailand and Bhutan respectively last year. 

Nanita expressed her happiness over wining the historic medal. “I am happy for being able to win the medal for my country. I had thought of playing confidently as this was my first international tournament. And I succeeded to deliver the positive result,” said Nanita. 

Nepal Bodybuilding and Fitness Association's President Rajesh Babu Shrestha, who is also currently in Thailand, said that Nanita's success has added new episode to the Nepali bodybuilding. He also informed that the association will manage special training for Nanita in order to prepare her for the upcoming ninth edition of World Championship and 51st edition of Asian Championship to be held in Mongolia and South Korea respectively next year. 

Nanita's coach Gyanendra Nakarmi said that she can do better than this in international stages with proper training and preparation. 

Anil Lal Shrestha, Bimal Lal Shrestha and Binod Bajracharya were the other Nepali players to participate in the championship. However, they wrapped up the competition without any medal. Anil Lal had took part in the men's bodybuilding 65kg event while Bimal Lal vied in the men's sports physique and fitness event. Similarly another Nepali participant Binod took part in the men's sports physique event.  

The championship that was organized by Thailand Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Association under the ageist of World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Federation saw the participation of more than 400 players from 49 nations vying in 38 categories. Nepali team will return to the capital on Tuesday. 

 
• nanita maharjan
 
• world bodybuilding and physique sports federation