THE RISING STAR

Mamta Devi Yumnam is the first and only Indian to win a medal in the World body building championship, making the country proud in international platform. However, the government is yet to recognise her achievement and struggles. 

 By: Bhavan Meitei

Winning a medal at an international level is every sportsperson’s dream. Any athlete would readily give up anything to win a medal! The achievement is unbound, if the achiever is a woman and if she is a mother. Against this backdrop, Mamta Devi Yumnam, the first and only Indian woman to a medal in World body building championship deserves a lot of accolades; however, the government is yet to recognise her achievement and struggles to reach at this level.

In Mamta’s state Manipur, people are trapped between the proverbial rock and a hard place. On one end of the spectrum are the militants who are allegedly fighting for independence, and on the other end are armed forces- both State and Central- who are leaving no stones unturned in taking out their anger on the people for casualities they have suffered in the hands of their armed counterparts. 

Despite these disturbances, Manipur supplies a number of top athletes to the country.

Mamta also bagged bronze medal in the 46th Mr Asia for Men & Women held at Tashkent in Uzbekistan. Her husband, Borun Yumnam was six times Mr. India, Mr Asia silver medallist in 2009. Mamta, the mother of three, urged other women interested in body-building to come forward and give a shot to bringing more laurels for the country. Mamta along with her husband had opened a gym called ‘The Impact’ since 2010 in New Delhi.

What motivated you to take up this profession?

Mamta: When my husband ( Borun Yumnam-six times Mr. India, and Mr Asia) went training for his job, I look after the gym. My first motivation to enter in this field was given by brother Dhiren. In 2011 December, when my husband came back, we discussed about it. He encouraged me. We make exercise chart and since then, I followed regularly.

When did you start participating in competitions? And how did it go?

I participated in national fitness competition for the first time, which was held on 18^th April, 2012 at Pune. I secured fourth position. However, some audiences and judges felt that the best physique award should be given to me. It gave me a ‘ray of hope’.  I sent a SMS asking in which competition I should take part…………to Sanjay More. He said that there is no competition in India; you have to participate in international level. Then, I participated in IFBB Asian Body Building and fitness Championship which was held at Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and I got bronze medal. And comes the 2nd Women's Body Building Championship 2012, Bangkok and here also I got bronze.

Are you happy with the facilities provided by the government?

I was optimistic about getting some support but its saddening to say that I didn’t get any facilities either from any organisations or from the government. The Manipur Gymnasium Association gave me Rs. 4000 and other than that, I didn’t get any aid or help. I wade through all the struggles with the support of my husband to reach this level. Moral support would have been invaluable.

What is your schedule of exercise? How much do you spend to maintain your diet?

I did exercise three hours in the morning and three hours in the evening everyday. In the competition season, I spend Rs.30,000 to 40,000 in supplement alone.

What do you want as a struggling sportsman? Any message to the upcoming players?

Mamta: I want other women interested in body-building to come forward and give a shot to bring more laurels for the country. Hope and aspirations is something that differentiates one human being to another. If you still believe women are bound to sit at home and cook, then you are wrong. Woman can do what all man can, so break the vicious circle of discrimination and prove yourself. 

North Today’s View

Doesn’t she deserve something from the country?

As she is the first women body builder who has won this title for the country, she will need assistance, as she is the one who have given the stepping stone or an example of what woman can achieved inspite of social stigmas?  As an Icon for fitness she should get sponsor from different health products and accessories so that she can inspire other budding bodybuilders. This will help her to meet her needs for preparing better and bring bigger laurels. She is paving the way for all the women from different corners of our country who cannot make this sport as their profession. Time for change!

Original Link: http://www.northeasttoday.in/sports-news/the-rising-star/