Ngangbam Shantikumar wins Mr World title
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 07 2013: Dr Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei clinched the Mr World title in the Mr World, 2013 contest held under the aegis of INBA (International Natural Bodybuilding Association)-2013 at Zakynthos, Greece on 7th July, 2013 .

Talking to Hueiyen Lanpao from Greece, Dr Shantikumar, who settled in Taipei, Taiwan as a Taiwanese said, "Yes! I won gold for Manipur" and dedicated the same to his fellow Manipuri and parents.

"I would like to dedicate this Mr.World title to my parents who are no more to see this happiest moment, and to all the mothers of my homeland Kangleipak.

If they can embrace me as their own son and smile even for few seconds when they hear this happy news I will consider myself as one of the luckiest sons in the whole world", he said.

A file pic of Dr Ngangbam Shantikumar : Pix courtesy : Dr Ngangbam Shantikumar

Dr Shantikumar contested in two categories.

In the age group 40 to 49, in which Dr Shantikumar won gold, there is no weight limitation or height.

Among the 150 athletes from around the world contesting in this category, Dr Shantikumar was the only Asian/mongoloid.

In the other category which has no age, but contestants cannot be taller than 5 feet 6 inches, Shantikumar collected silver.

"Of course, when I won, I was happy like others.

But deep inside my heart I was not really happy.

Every time I won I asked about Manipur, my homeland where my parents grew up and spent their last days, where I grew up, suffered and learnt the meaning of suffering life.

I was always asking what I have done for my homeland Manipur.

This question tormented my heart every time I competed," Dr Shantikumar said.

When asked about his message to the youths of Manipur, the Mr World title holder said that many young bodybuilders now think they cannot do bodybuilding without some kind of drugs or steroids.

They think without drugs they cannot be big, so cannot win.

They are easy to be tempted by the size of those bodybuilders who use steroids and drugs.

Yes, they look big, hard and strong from outside.

But inside, they are sick people.

They won't last long.

Why sacrifice your health and life for some titles.

"I like to tell young sportsmen that you can be natural, healthy, be lasting and still win and live a wonderful and happy life.

Don't look far, I am the example," he added.

About the championship which was held from 5-7 July, 2013, Dr Shantikumar said that doping test is done very strictly following the International Olympic standard procedures.

"That is why I left the other federations like IFBB, the oldest federation which conducts no more doping tests and contested in the INBA Mr.World" .

Dr Shantikumar is the 10th child of Ngangbam Shellungba Meetei and Ngangbam Angoubi Leima of Sagolband Moirang Hanuba Leirak.

Currently, he is working as an English Professor at De Lin Institute of Technology, Taipei.

Dr Shantikumar married a Taiwanese Chinese citizen, Chen Nan Tai and they have four kids.

Dr Shantikumar has competed and won many accolades.

Representing Taiwan, he had competed in the IFBB East Asian, Asian, Asian Games, Mr.Universe and even Hong Kong invitational championships.

Along with his family members, Dr Shantikumar said that he would coming to Imphal on July 27 .