Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, Feb 11: Dhanaraj M from Mangaluru won the ‘Champion of Champions’ award at national level bodybuilding competition held in Chandigarh recently. He is the first one from South India to have won this award.

Federation of Body Building Association, recognised by the government of India, had organised this competition. He represented Karnataka and won the award leaving behind 250 participants who had arrived from all over the country. He defeated a competitor from Delhi in the competition that consisted of ten rounds.

Body building requires several lacs of rupees. I have received training and won with monetary help from donors without help from the government. I like to express my gratitude to Biruver Kudla, state federation, district federation and other donors. I am happy to have represented the state and won the award,” said Dhanaraj.

Friends Ballalbagh, Biruver Kudla and District Body Building Federation extended cordial welcome to Dhanaraj. Biruver Kudla founder president Udaya Poojary Ballalbagh, Santhosh Bejai, Lohith, Rinith, Roshan Ballalbagh, Kiran, Bodybuilding Association’s Dilip Kumar, Gangadhar M, Rajesh Alva and others were present.