Kathmandu, December 4

Nepali woman bodybuilder Nanita Maharjan won the first-ever medal for the country in her international debut when she bagged a bronze in the model physique (165cm) category of the eighth WBPF World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships in Pattaya, Thailand today.

Maharjan came third in the five-player final round. Mongolia’s Gambaga won gold medal, while Nurayeva Alena of Uzbekistan finished second.

Sun Ting of Chinese Taipei and Alesandro Silva were fourth and fifth respectively. The five participants competed in the pre-judging round and also fought for top three positions in the final round.

“I thought I would finish second or third after the pre-judging round. And I am delighted as I could win medal for the country,” said Maharjan. Maharjan is the second Nepali women bodybuilder who took part in the international competition. Earlier, Nirmala Maharjan had competed in the seventh edition of the championship held in Thailand last year and also took part in the 50th Asian Bodybuilding Championship in Thimpu, Bhutan.

The 31-year-old Maharjan, who hails from Kirtipur, started bodybuilding three years ago and has participated in only one domestic competition. She had won gold medal in the Mr Kathmandu Bodybuilding and Women’s Fitness Championship held in Kathmandu in September. “My husband Rudan Bajracharya took me to gym for physical exercise. He then discovered talent in me and inspired me for bodybuilding competitions. Other family members also support me,” she said.