Talwalkars' bodybuilding championship to be held in Mumbai

Thirty of India's top bodybuilders will vie for top honours in the Talwalkars' Classique National Bodybuilding Championship to be held here this month.
Bodybuilders representing Indian Railways, Services, Haryana Police and states like Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Manipur, Kerala and Maharashtra, would take part in the November 27 event, a media release said today.
Leading the list of contenders would be world champion Bobby Singh of Indian Railways, who will have to beat back the challenge from Tamil Nadu's Rajendra, silver medalist at the Asian Championships, Asian champion Murali Kumar of Indian Navy, Ankur Sharma, silver medalist at the Asian Championships and Neeraj Kumar, current Mr India, in his weight category.

Maharashtra's challenge is to be spearheaded by Sagar Mali, along with Sagar Katurde.
The pre-judging session would be held on November 26, after which the top 10 qualifiers would be shortlisted to compete in the final round the next day.
The event is to be organised by Talwalkars' Better Value and the Maharashtra Body Building Association under the aegis of the Indian Body Builders' Federation (IBBF), the release said.

The champion would stand to gain Rs 3 lakh, with the runner-up getting richer by Rs 2 lakh and the third placed finisher winning Rs 1 lakh, with prize money given away upto the 10th place.

The overall champion will receive the Talwalkars' Classique Trophy and a merit certificate, while the best poser of the evening will receive a cash prize of Rs 50,000 along with a merit certificate.
All 30 participants will receive medals and participation certificates, the release added.