“I honestly felt grateful—like deeply, heart-thumpingly grateful—for this opportunity. To be part of the 15th South Asian Bodybuilding & Physique Sports Championship 2025, held right here in Thimphu… it still feels unreal.

At 29, I’m finally stepping onto the big stage. As an entrepreneur and a fitness enthusiast, this is my debut—representing Bhutan in the Men’s Sports Category. I’ve trained consistently for just 1 year and 7 months, and to be honest, even I didn’t expect the journey to unfold like this.

It all started with one person believing in me—my gym trainer, Mr. Nirmal Ghalay. After a year of training under him, my body changed, and so did my mindset. That transformation wasn’t just physical; it lit something inside me. That’s when I thought: maybe competition is the best way to express this, to give this journey meaning.

Now, standing here, nervous and excited, I know I’m not just doing this for myself. I’m doing it to show that it’s never too late to start, to transform, to dream big—and to represent something larger than yourself.

Thank you la—for the opportunity.

Bhutan stands proud. And so do I.”

—Bikash Rai