Solan Jajo from Manipur's Kamjong district has been selected to represent India in the upcoming 13th World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship, 2022, scheduled to take place in Thailand from December 6-12.
Solan, who hails from Leishi village under Phungyar block, will compete in the senior model physique 160 cm.
Speaking exclusively to the Imphal Free Press on Tuesday, Solan Jajo said that she is going to represent India in the upcoming 13th World Bodybuilding and physique sports championship 2022 which is going to be held at Phuket, kingdom of Thailand from December 6-12.
"Prior to my selection, I encountered various problems as I am from a poor family background. Coupled with this, lack of understanding, encouragement and badmouth from people affected me to a great extent. However, amidst the ups and downs I never give up and this persistent effort has made it possible for me to participate in this great platform and it's worth the effort," she said, elaborating on the ordeal she had gone through prior to her selection.
No matter what you face in your life and what others say about you, don't let that distract and hold you back from what you're doing. Just keep on pushing, stay focused and believe in yourself, she advised.
“You never know how far or close you've reached to succeed in your dreams. Keep chasing until you succeed”, the strong-willed 17- year-old Solan said as she detailed her secrets of success and what it takes to achieve one's dream in life.
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“Being a sportsperson, I want to say this to the youth that sports can change your life. It can pull you out from evil ways especially from the menace of drug abuse and alcohol. Sports help one to be physically and mentally strong. Health is the most important thing in our life. So, whatever field one chooses, choose a healthy field because health is wealth”, she remarked.
When asked as to what made her participate in the women body physique competitions, Solan responded that at first it was just a hobby of going to gym but she slowly realised that it significance and asked herself why not show the world. That everyone can stay fit and healthy and that if a mere village girl can, why not you, she narrated how she got into the competition. So, to set an example to society and to make our state healthy and fit, I started participating in the physique competition, Solan added.
On discipline, hard work and dreams having a close relationship with success and satisfaction, she opined that in order to succeed one must be patient, sacrifice and work har. These are the only things that will lead you to success and by following these three things I am where I am today though I have a long way to go, she said.
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When asked about Ukhrul and Kamjong battling drug menace, Solan said all that she knows about drugs is that they destroy one. Drugs are nothing but a menace to society, she said and asked why the youths would want to live in darkness, shortening their lives when they can have a great life. Why torture yourself when your body is gifted by God to do good things, she stated.
She also called on the youths to turn away from drugs to live healthy and peaceful lives. Always remember, good health means good life, she confided.
To the query on how important a mentor or a coach is in her chosen profession, she said that not only in her profession but in any other profession, coach is the centre of that profession.
Whatever or whenever you do anything, your coach should always be involved as he is the one moulding you, the one who led you to where you are now, she said. She also called for respecting coaches, do what they say because they are always right there for you and that one should always admit that the coach knows better. “My coach is my second parent and without my coach I am nothing.vThis is how important a coach is in my profession,” she said.
Solan thanked her family, friends, her coach Robert Meitei, Body Builders Association Ukhrul (BBAU), well-wishers, AMBBA especially its president for making it possible for her to compete in the upcoming world championship.
She represented India in the recently concluded 54th edition of the Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Competitions 2022 held at Maldives where she competed in Miss Asia senior and junior women model physique sports competition and bagged 4th position in the junior category.
It may be mentioned that the Indian Body Builders Federation (IBBF) general secretary, Hiral Sheth, in his official letter addressed to the president/secretary All Manipur Bodybuilders Association (AMBBA) on 31 August, 2022 communicated on the athletes selected from Manipur during the selection trials held on 22, May at Paonta Sahib, Himachal Pradesh.
The selected athletes were to represent Team India in the 13th World BodyBuilding and Physique Sports Championship 2022.
ALSO READ: Eight bodybuilders from Manipur secure berths in Indian team
The following athletes from Manipur were selected and will compete in different categories. They are Chingkheinganba Athokpam (junior bodybuilding over 75 kg), Khumanthem Sushil Kumar Singh (junior bodybuilding upto 75 kg), L Dinesh Singh (senior men’s body building 75 kg), Solimla Jajo (senior model physique 165 cm), Solan Jajo (senior model physique 160 cm), Karishma Chanu (senior women bodybuilding upto 55 kg), Arambam Maangal (senior mens sports physique upto 170 cm) and Kishan Nepram as Team Manager.
It further informed AMBBA that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India (GOI) will not extend any financial assistance.
In view of these, Affiliated units/Athletes will have to bear the expenses of approximately Rs 1,50,000 (one lakh fifty thousand) per person which includes Airfare, Visa and Agency charges, Lodging and Boarding and Registration fees, etc, it stated.
It also further requested to confirm the same before 15 September, 2022 along with the copies of the passport, aadhaar card, pan card and amount of expenses mentioned above to general secretary, Hiral Sheth at ibbf_mumbai@yahoo.in.
