Imphal: 17-year-old Solimla Jajo from the Kamjong district of Manipur made history by winning a silver medal at the 54th Asian Body Building and Physique Sports Championships 2022 on Maafushi Island in the Maldives.
She is the first woman from the Tangkhul community to break new ground and win a medal in the fitness world.
Solimla competed in the junior model physique under 165 cm category.
Out of a total of 28 participating Asian countries, 24 participants competed in the 165 cm category.
While Mungunshagai from Mongolia won the title, Solimla and Bhawika, both from India, were rated first and second runners-up respectively.
Speak with EastMojo over the phone from the Maldives, Solimla said: “With the support and love of the people back home, I was not only able to participate in the Asian Championship, but also win a silver medal.”
Plus, I got the chance to see new places and meet new people. For this I am eternally grateful to all of you, she added happily.
Meanwhile, another young athlete from Kamjong district, Solan Jajo, 17, was placed 4th in the 160cm category.
“It was such an amazing experience and privilege for me to be able to compete in the Asian Championship and I feel blessed. Although I couldn’t win a medal this time, I’m not discouraged since I tried my best. And I will do better in the coming world event,” Solan told EastMojo.
After their first international event, Solimla and Solan are now qualified to compete in the upcoming 2022 World Championship in Thailand in December.
Previously, Solimla won Miss Manipur Women Sports Physique in 2019 and finished in the top five of the All India Federation Cup for senior Women Model Physique categories in 2021 in Uttar Pradesh.
Solan was the only girl from Manipur to qualify in the trial and represented the state in Junior Women’s Fitness in the Junior Miss World India held in Pondicherry earlier this year.
Notably, both young athletes were trained by Robert L Meitei, who is himself an award-winning bodybuilder in Ukhrul district. He was also the one who introduced the girls to sports and has been their mentor and instructor.
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