Surbhi Jaiswar won in the Bikini category

Chandigarh: Steadfast Nutrition athlete Surbhi Jaiswar won in the Bikini category while Beant Singh from Firozpur secured first place in the Star Category. Other winners included Akashdeep Sandhu in Open Category, Mandeep Singh in above 85kg, Saransh in 80-85kg, Afzal Khan in 70-75 kg, Sharik in 65-70 kg, Kishan Singh Bisht in 60-65 kg, Chanchal Singh in below 60 kg. Mandeep Singh, from Chandigarh, was declared the overall winner in the Bodybuilding North India.

The National Physique Community's North India and Mr Tricity Bodybuilding and Physique Championship, considered the region's biggest bodybuilding tournament, successfully took place in Panchkula. Steadfast Nutrition, India's leading sports and wellness nutrition brand was the main sponsor for the big-ticket event which showcased the talent of over 200

bodybuilders from all over North India. Steadfast Nutrition says it sponsored the event to further its initiative of making bodybuilding a part of mainstream sports and reach its goal of making India the Sports Capital of the World.

Steadfast Nutrition founder Aman Puri said, "Steadfast associated with this championship since we wanted to provide a platform for aspiring bodybuilders to showcase their talent. Bodybuilding is still not recognised as a sport in India, bodybuilders are still not perceived as athletes. By presenting contests like these, we want to expand the sport's reach and encourage the youth to take up bodybuilding as a career. India is a powerhouse of sporting talent. Unfortunately, our youth don't get the right opportunities and platforms to display their skills. We firmly believe that these initiatives will go a long way to make bodybuilding a part of mainstream sports and also further our goal to make India the Sports Capital of the World."

The athletes faced off in five categories- Classic Physique, Men's Physique, Women's Bikini, Women's Physique, and the Star category for the specially-abled.