Mr. Khamba
Mr. Khamba, also known as Mister Khamba (ꯃꯤꯁ꯭ꯇꯔ ꯈꯝꯕ), is an annual bodybuilding competition held in the Indian state of Manipur, named after Khamba, a legendary hero and paragon of masculinity in Meitei culture. Celebrated for his strength, valor, and physical prowess, Khuman Khamba serves as the symbolic inspiration for the event, which aims to promote fitness, discipline, and cultural pride among Manipuri youth. Mr. Khamba is part of a broader tradition of bodybuilding contests in the state, alongside other notable events such as Mr. Manipur, Mr. Moirang Khamba (also known as Mr. Manipur Moirang Khamba), Mr. Pari Shajou and Mr. Kangleipak for men, and Miss Kangleipak for women. It is organized by the All Manipur Body Builders Association (AMBBA) and the Body Builders' Association of Imphal West.[1]
The 10th Mr Khamba 2023 Inter District Bodybuilding Championship was cancelled due to the 2023 crisis in Manipur. This event, usually held every year on Patriots' Day, was dedicated to the martyrs of the state. The All Manipur Body Builders Association (AMBBA) also asked all district-level groups to cancel all bodybuilding competitions for 2023, which are usually held in July and August.[2][3]
Winners
[edit]2019
[edit]- Rishikanta Chandam from Imphal East won the Mr Khamba title at the 8th Mr Khamba 2019 Inter District Bodybuilding Contest, held at Unique Children School, Wangjing, on Patriots' Day.[4]
- Rishikanta got first place in the senior men's bodybuilding. Soraisham Priyankar Singh from Imphal West came second. Manishor Thoudam and Laishram Tombisana, both from Imphal East, came third and fourth.[4]
- In the men’s fitness category, Puyam Gulip from Imphal West won first prize. Kshetrimayum Kanishka (Kakching), Takhelmayum Malemnganba (Imphal East), Laikhuram Sachinanda (Imphal), and Longjam Pradeepkumar (Thoubal) got second to fifth places.[4]
- The junior bodybuilding title went to Khumukcham Warren Singh from Kakching. Sharungbam Malemnganba (Imphal West) and Md Wahidur Rahaman (Imphal East) got second and third. Boboy Ksh and Sakibur Yumkhaibam (Imphal East) were fourth and fifth.[4]
- Khaidem Washington Singh (Imphal West) won the masters title. Takhelambam Dushanta Singh (Imphal West), Md Matibur Rahaman, L Modhu, and Laishram Tombisana (all from Imphal East) got second to fifth places.[4]
- In the physically challenged category, Ahongsangbam Nanao (Bishnupur) won first place, and Maisnam Joychandra Singh (Imphal West) came second.[4]
2022
[edit]- L Dinesh from Bishnupur won the Mr Khamba title, and Solimla Jajo from Ukhrul won the women's Model Physique title at the 9th Mr Khamba Inter State Bodybuilding Championship. The event was organised at INA Hall, Moirang.[5]
- A total of 71 participants from 8 districts took part in various categories: Junior, Senior, Master, Physically Challenged, Men’s Physique, and Women’s Model Physique, all dedicated to the martyrs of Manipur.[5]
- Senior Men’s Bodybuilding (Mr Khamba Title)[5]:
- 1st – L Dinesh (Bishnupur)
- 2nd – Wangkheirakpam Priyobarta (Imphal East)
- 3rd – Laishram Neta (Imphal West)
- 4th – Kiyam Dinesh (Thoubal)
- 5th – Loitongbam Philip Singh (Imphal West)
- Women’s Model Physique[5]:
- 1st – Solimla Jajo (Ukhrul), who also won silver at the Asian Championship in Maldives
- 2nd – Zenika Naorem (Imphal West)
- 3rd – Raj Kumari Neha Devi (Imphal East)
- 4th – Khayingthei Luithui (Ukhrul)
- 5th – Wonchui Luithui (Ukhrul)
- Women’s Bodybuilding[5]:
- 1st – E Kavita Chanu (Imphal West)
- 2nd – Karishma Chanu (Imphal East)
- Men’s Physique[5]:
- 1st – Warshim Chesam (Imphal East)
- 2nd – Mangai Arambam (Imphal West)
- 3rd – Sagolshem Shanjiv (Bishnupur)
- 4th – Naorem Fredy (Kakching)
- 5th – Laitonjam Gulshan (Imphal West)
- Masters Bodybuilding[5]:
- 1st – Thokchom Boboi (Imphal West)
- 2nd – Chingthang Nambam (Imphal West)
- 3rd – Wahengbam Neta Chandra (Bishnupur)
- 4th – L Kiran (Imphal West)
- 5th – L Modhu (Imphal East)
- Junior Bodybuilding[5]:
- 1st – Kshetrimayum Niraj (Kakching)
- 2nd – Thounaojam Marco (Imphal West)
- 3rd – Karam Birjit (Bishnupur)
- 4th – Sarat Lunminthang Taothang (Tengnoupal)
- 5th – Thiyam Rohit Singh (Imphal East)
2024
[edit]- Laitonjam Rishikanta from Imphal West won the Mr Khamba title by coming first in the senior men's bodybuilding category at the 10th Mr Khamba Inter District State Level Bodybuilding Contest 2024. The event was held at Naoremthong Laishram Khulem Leikai community hall and was dedicated to the martyrs of Manipur.[1]
- 52 athletes from 6 districts compete in various categories: junior, senior, masters, physically challenged, men’s sports physique, and women’s model physique.[1]
- Senior Men’s Bodybuilding[1]:
- 1st – L Rishikanta (Imphal West)
- 2nd – Thokchom Gyanendra Meetei
- 3rd – Md Fajirul Haque (Imphal East)
- Junior Men’s Bodybuilding[1]:
- 1st – Mayanglambam Olenjit (Kakching)
- 2nd – Jackson Khumbongmayum (Imphal West)
- 3rd – Yuvraj Sonar (Ukhrul)
- Physically Challenged[1]:
- Winner – Naorem Jayenta (Thoubal)
- Masters Category[1]:
- 1st – Longjam Boinao (Bishnupur)
- 2nd – Potsangbam Bonny (Imphal West)
- 3rd – Maibam Bharatsemba (Thoubal)
- Men’s Sports Physique[1]:
- 1st – Hawaibam Surdas (Imphal West)
- 2nd – Warshim Chesam (Imphal East)
- 3rd – Leimapokpam Abhishek (Thoubal)
- Women’s Model Physique[1]:
- 1st – Zenika Naorem (Imphal West)
- 2nd – Leishimi Raihing (Ukhrul)
- 3rd – Alle Pamei (Imphal East)
See also
[edit]- Miss Meetei Chanu
- Miss Manipur
- Femina Miss Manipur
- Meitei martial arts
- Meitei traditional weapons
- Meitei traditional toys
- Meitei traditional games
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i "10th Mr Khamba Bodybuilding Contest : L Rishikanta clinches Mr Khamba title, Olenjit wins junior men's title : 14th aug24 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "10th Mr Khamba cancelled". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "10th Mr Khamba cancelled : 06th jul23 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ a b c d e f "IE's Rishikanta Chandam clinches Mr Khamba title". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "9th Mr Khamba State Level Bodybuilding Championship : L Dinesh wins Mr Khamba title, Solimla Jajo takes women's Model Physique crown : 14th aug22 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2025-06-25.