With nearly 5 percent of the Mongolian population working out at gyms every day, bodybuilding and fitness are two of the fastest developing sports in the country. Recently, a team of 16 athletes and two international judges from the country participated in the 11th World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Federation (WBPF) World Championships held on the South Korean resort island of Jeju from 5-11 November.

The Mongolian athletes won four gold, three silvers and five bronze medals from the Championships.  One of the winners is B.Khuseltuvshin; he became champion in the 182 cm height category. The young athlete is no newcomer to such events: he has already won silver and bronze medals at previous championships. Athletes from 38 countries competed in Jeju.

B.Khuseltuvshin has been trained in hand-to-hand combat for 13 years and karate since the age of 15. In addition, he used to train in sambo, kickboxing, karate and professional boxing. However, he gave up combat sports due to continued traumas and began focusing on bodybuilding. He wanted to become ‘the hottest muscular man of Mongolia’.

During the 1990s there were just a few fitness clubs in Mongolia, for example Taikhar and Khar Irves, but now there are about 200 clubs. Even though the growth is impressive, quality standards have much to be desired: only about 30 clubs are doing their work at a professional level with experienced trainers and certified workers.