Female bodybuilder Paklu Taipodia calls on CM Pema Khandu
Itanagar
Chief Minister Pema Khandu met Arunachal’s only female bodybuilder, Paklu Taipodia when the latter called on at his office here today. Taipodia who was accompanied by her coach and husband, Raj Thakuri spoke about venturing into a sport, which is traditionally a men’s arena.
A former weightlifter who earned several laurels at the national level, she switched from weightlifting to bodybuilding in order to balance her family life with professional life.
A mother of three, Taipodia is the winner of the seventh edition of the Eastern India Miss Fitness Championship held in Assam on 8th January 2017.
In her national debut, she stood fifth in the Satish Sugar Senior National Bodybuilding Championship 2016 held in Karnataka. She, however, claimed to have beaten that position and expressed confidence to compete at the international level in the Asian championship.
The Chief Minister, who himself is a keen sports enthusiast was deeply moved by the ordeal she had to undergo to keep herself physically fit as a bodybuilder, more so being a woman and a mother.
During the gaining phase, she spends about 1 hour in gym, which increases to 5-6 hours a day as competition approaches. Also she has to go on strict dietary routine without intake of water and salt during the competition.
Khandu astounded by her sheer determination and courage, expressed his appreciation: “You are the living expression for those who wants to beat the odds to achieve excellence.” He assured to extend all help from the state government in her pursuit to take part in her future competition at national and international level.
