Mohali lad Kirat Lakhyan is Mr Punjab
Rachna Khaira
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, March 22
A 26-year-old Mohali based businessman, Kirat Lakhyan, won the Mr Punjab 2015 contest organised by the Punjab Amateur Body Building Association (PABBA) at the Red Cross Bhawan today.
Over 130 bodybuilders from 19 districts participated in the much coveted tournament of Punjab. Kirat was also the winner of 80-85 kg category.
Immediately after the win, an elated Kirat said he would be happy to carry the glorious legacy of Punjab ahead in the forthcoming national championship to be held from April 10 to 11 in Maharashtra.
“Punjab is winning medals in all categories from the last 15 years. However, the team is very old and no new talent had replaced them since then. I am hopeful that I will find a place in the national team in this year,” said a BTech graduate hailing from Chapad Chidi village near Landran in Mohali.
The champion also said that while Punjab has a glorious past in the bodybuilding arena, the government has not adopted the game as yet.
“Despite winning laurels in the national and international games, no bodybuilder has been inducted into the state government job from the last 15 years. Also, the government should provide some financial help to the bodybuilders as it is one of the most toughest and expensive game,” said the young bodybuilder.
Kirat initially took bodybuilding as a hobby but later got serious when he won the Overall Mr Chandigarh (Junior) title in 2011. He also won National Federation Cup early this year. An engineer by profession, he also won North India Gold Cup tournament in 2014.
Jalandhar boys too won laurels in the competition. While Jugal Kishore was declared winner in 70-75 kg category, Jatinder Kumar, hardeep Singh won the second place in the 75-80 kg and 85 -90 kg category, respectively.
Also, Onkaar Singh and Amrinder Singh of Punjab Armed Police won the second and third place, respectively in the 100 plus category. Pappu Masih won the third place in 65 to 70 kg category.
