The tournament is aimed at strengthening the relationships among Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries and promoting the standard of the country's bodybuilding, according to the Myanmar Bodybuilding Federation (MBBF)on Tuesday.

Organized by MBBF,the championship attracted a total of 45 athletes from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

"Our powerful opponents are from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam and we have chance as we are the host country and our team is composed of athletes who had much international experience," said U Hla Myint Swe, President of MBBF.

Altogether, eight weight categories including 55kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 80kg, 85kg and 90kg will be staged at the championship.

The winners will be awarded medals for the first, second and third prizes while the rest will be awarded with trophies.

"Myanmar athletes are obedient and respectful. So it is easy for me to work with them," Datuk Paul Chua, Secretary-General of World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Federation (WBPF) and Asian Bodybuilding Federation(ABBF) said.

Paul added: "I will continue to help the Myanmar Bodybuilding team to grab two or three gold medals in 27th SEA Games."

MBBF was founded in 1911. Myanmar has hosted such bodybuilding competitions since 1996, according to the MBBF. (PNA/Xinhua)

FPV/utb