Assam shone again on the international sports arena, this time with three gold and Mister World (80kg) title won by Golap Rabha of Kaliabari village in Boko under Kamrup district at the World Fitness Federation (WFF)-World Body Building Federation (WBBF) Amber Prix Championships held at Lithuania from October 19 to 21.
Rabha, 35, bagged gold in all the three categories he participated in — Men’s Pro World Bodybuilding, Men Muscle Model and Pro Mr World in 80kg.
Rabha had earned laurels for the state by winning the titles of Mr India in 2017 and 2018 and Mr Asia in 2018.
He started his bodybuilding career in 2003 under Jiten Kalita at Boko where he lives with his mother, younger brother, wife and daughter. His family and well-wishers celebrated his feat by bursting crackers in the evening.
Esha Sharma Rabha, Golap Rabha’s wife, said, “It was 11 at night, I was eagerly waiting for the final result. praying to the Almighty to bless him for his hard work, determination and passion. As soon as I got the amazing news, my tears flowed. I was speechless, hugged my daughter and cried.
Rabha, a professional bodybuilder, runs a gym while his younger brother runs a mobile shop in Boko, which is about 65km from Guwahati. He trains six hours a day, two hours at a stretch.
Rabha, who will reach his hometown on October 26, told The Telegraph on Monday, “I am feeling amazing being on the international stage and competing with world class bodybuilders. The best was when foreigners took photographs with us and asked for our numbers as they want to come to India to train under us. I thank all my family, well-wishers, the people of Boko, Assam and India who have always inspired me, especially during difficult times. I wish the government had paid heed to my problems. I love bodybuilding and will continue to do so my entire life. I will also try and inspire upcoming bodybuilders. My next target is Mr Universe to be held in Thailand next month but as of now I do not have adequate finances for it. I hope do well there too.”
Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal has congratulated Rabha.
In a statement, Sonowal said Rabha’s feat in the WFF-WBBF championship had made the state proud and lent fresh momentum to bodybuilding as a sports discipline in the state.
Sonowal said Rabha had proved with his success that a humble background can never be an obstacle to genuine talents from registering remarkable accomplishments.
Assam PCC president Ripun Bora also congratulated Rabha on his feat.
WFF is an international bodybuilding organisation formed in 1968.
Rabha is the fifth person from Assam to hit the headlines with path-breaking achievement since August, after sprinter Hima Das, who was the first to win a medal at the IAAF junior world meet, filmmaker Rima Das of Village Rockstars, India’s nominee at the Oscars, Ranjan Gogoi, first Chief Justice of India from the Northeast, and Binita Jain, first to win Rs 1 crore at the reality show Kaun Banega Crorepati.
