Top body-builders for Mr Olympus national body building meet

Mumbai, Jan 14 (UNI) The Mr Olympus National Body Building Championship, with Rs 8.5 lakh as prize money at stake, will for the first time be held in Mumbai from January 31 to February 2.

The cream of bodybuilders, that include 300 individuals from 40 units affiliated to the Indian Body Building Federation (IBBF) from around the country, will feature in the three-day extravaganza which will be held at the Jambori Maidan, Worli.

Among the galaxy of stars who will feature in the nine weight categories are Mr India Prasad Kumar, Bhakta Kumar and Kamraj Rajendran of the Services, Bobby Singh, Javed Khan, and Rex Verghese of the Railways, Ankur Sharma of Haryana, Vitendar Singh of UP, Mr Asia silver medalist Mukesh Thakur of Uttaranchal, and Tanvir Akram of Delhi, a press release stated here today.

To challenge them will also be a strong contingent from Maharashtra that includes the formidable Sunil Sakpal, Shyam Rahate, Suhas Khamkar, and Datakumar Chodankar.

The nine weight categories are 55 kg, 60 kg, 65 kg, 70 kg, 75 kg, 80 kg, 85 kg, 90 kg, and 90 kg and above.

Cash awards will be presented to the top five places in each category -- Rs 25,000, Rs 20,000, Rs 15,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000.

Apart from a top cash prize, the ''Mr Olympus Champion of Champions'' will receive a cash award of Rs 1.25 lakh. In addition, the Best Poser will receive a cash prize of Rs 5,000. Datuk Paul Chua, secretary general of the Asian Body Building Federation, will be present during the competition, the release added.

UNI GS MAZ AB BST2037