Myanmar to host 11th SEA bodybuilding

Myanmar will host 11th Southeast Asian Bodybuilding Championships here on Saturday aimed at strengthening the relationships among Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN) member countries and promoting the standard of the country\'s bodybuilding, according to the Myanmar Bodybuilding Federation (MBBF) on Tuesday. Organized by MBBF, the championship attracted a total of 45 athletes from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. \"Our powerful opponents are from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam and we have chance as we are the host country and our team is composed of athletes who had much international experience, \" said MBBF President U Hla Myint Swe. Altogether 8 weight categories including 55-kg,60-kg,65-kg,70- kg,75-kg,80-kg,85-kg and 90-kg will be staged at the championship. The winners will be awarded medals for first, second and third prizes while the rest four will be awarded with trophies. \"Myanmar athletes are obedient and respectful. So it is easy for me to work with them,\" said Datuk Paul Chua, secretary-general of World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Federation (WBPF) and Asian Bodybuilding Federation (ABBF). \"I will continue to help Myanmar bodybuilding team to grab two or three gold medals in 27th SEA Games,\" Paul added. MBBF was founded in 1911. Myanmar has hosted such bodybuilding competitions since 1996, according to the MBBF.