Mr Sathaphone Phichith (left) presents 636 million kip to Dr Manothong Vongxay to support the Mr and Ms Fitness Lao competition.

Lao bodybuilding federation to hold fitness competition

The Lao Body Building Federation will hold the Mr and Ms Fitness Lao 2022 Minister of Education and Sports’ Cup at the Vientiane Center from October 21-23.
The announcement on Tuesday followed the appointment of new management at the federation.
The Ministry of Education and Sports and the National Olympic Committee of Laos on Tuesday announced the new President of the Lao Body Building Federation, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Dr Manothong Vongxay, and other new federation management officials.
The announcement was attended by Deputy Minister of Education and Sports Ms Khanthaly Siriphongphanh, senior officials of the National Olympic Committee of Laos, event sponsors, and the Lao bodybuilding team.
The federation presented certificates to its officials in recognition of their efforts to promote bodybuilding in Laos.
At the same time, a press conference announced the Mr and Ms Fitness Lao 2022 Minister of Education and Sports’ Cup. 
The event will see bodybuilders compete in six different categories, namely the U-70kg and U-75kg weight divisions, men with a height of 1.7 metres, men over 1.71 metres in height, women (unlimited weight), and the master bodybuilder category for men over the age of 50. 
Dr Manothong said the federation plans to improve Laos’ bodybuilders and train more people for participation in the national team and competitions at the regional and global level.
More young people are showing an interest in fitness and have the potential to take part in national bodybuilding events, he added.
The federation will select the winners from the Fitness Lao 2022 competition for participation in the World Bodybuilding Championship in Thailand in December, and the SEA Games to be held in Cambodia in May next year.
The main sponsor and the President of Vientiane Fitness, Mr Sathaphone Phichith, handed over promotional materials and products worth 636 million kip for the Mr and Ms Fitness competition.
The Vientiane Center will provide the facilities to stage the event at a cost of 400 million kip, while other organisations will also contribute donations.
In the past, Vientiane Fitness has provided financial support for national bodybuilding competitions in Laos.
The Lao bodybuilding team won a bronze medal at the 31st SEA Games in Vietnam in May this year, a bronze medal at the 10th World Bodybuilding Championship in Thailand, and a bronze medal at the 15th Asean Bodybuilding Championship held in Cambodia.
Laos also competed in the World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships 2019 in the Republic of Korea in December.

ByTimes Reporters
(Latest Update October 5, 2022)