Atip Anantawan, Wilaiporn Wannaklang and Pala Meechai. photo courtesy of Thai Muscle Physique
Bronzed and fully ripped, three Thai bodybuilders walked away from the World Fitness Federation (WFF) Universe 2016 — an international bodybuilding competition held in the US in June — with their gold and silver trophies. No Thai person has even won the contest. But, while there should be a call for celebrations, the trio’s performance was instead a quiet affair in their home country.
The three bodybuilders Pala Meechai, Wilaiporn Wannaklang and Atip Anantawan claimed to have entered the competition without the support of any sports association or institution in Thailand. Rumours began to spread online of their personal conflict with the Thailand Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Association (TBPA). The association has since released an official statement clarifying that WFF Universe is privately-owned, and doesn’t fall under the World Bodybuilding and Physique Federation (WBPF) — an institution which TBPA is registered with.
The statement said that WFF Universe doesn’t require a doping test, which is against the association’s rules. The three athletes also have neither informed the association nor asked permission before participating in the competition.
Also from the same statement by TBPA, both Pala and Wilaiporn were previously members of the Thai national team. Last year, however, they were disqualified by the association. Pala — who has been a bodybuilder for 30 years — was found to be doping. Wilaiporn violated several association rules that led her disqualification.
In their opinion, the disqualifications were unjust, forcing them to leave the association and fly solo.
With a determination to prove themselves, the two invited a relatively new face like Atip to join them on a self-funded trip to the international stage. They had no coaches or assistants. This vagabond team of three had no one but each other to rely on during the competition held in Orlando, Florida. One one was on stage, another remained backstage to help with preparation and body painting. The other cheered from the crowd.
“The three of us stayed in the same hotel room,” recalled Pala. Their US experience always brings smiles to their faces. “We even brought our own rice cooker!”
In the end, their effort didn’t go in vain. The team emerged victorious with Pala getting his gold in the Master Men category, Atip won his gold in Male Sportsmodel, and Wilaiporn was awarded silver in Women Performance. In an interview with Life, the trio said they hoped their performances would put Thailand on the bodybuilding map.
“We’ve already won awards and titles for ourselves through our years as athletes. This time, it’s for the world to know that we’re from Thailand, and we dare to go all the way to the US. People were amazed. Some didn’t even know where Thailand was. And then there were the three of us, all winning our own awards,” said Wilaiporn. “This is also an auspicious year. The king has reigned for 70 years. We want to do this to bring back good name and glory for the country and for the king,” she added. Upon returning to Thailand, they presented their trophies to the Bureau of the Royal Household.
Bodybuilding is not popular among Thai people, with many not understanding it actually is a sport, they said. The financial support and sponsors that go into the game also are reportedly low. Pala believes athletes are now receiving better support from dietary supplement and vitamin companies.
In hopes of better supporting bodybuilding athletes, Wilaiporn set up NABBA/WFF Thailand — a club that aims to promote the sport, and recruit bodybuilders to compete on an international stage. The club, she said, is registered with the NABBA (National Amateur Body-Builders’ Association) International. Currently, the team is seeking Thai athletes to compete in the WFF World Championships in Ireland in November.
Bodybuilding is a very demanding sport that requires a strict, high protein diet. The lifestyle requires dedication while spending countless hours in the gym and accounting for every calories of food consumed. But is it worthwhile? The athletes believe it was.
“A day of joyous pride can erase an entire year of weariness,” said Pala, who is in his 50s and fit and healthy. Both Atip and Wilaiporn are in their 40s, and their muscular form resembles those of ancient Greek statues.
“Bodybuilding helps correct my posture. I used to walk with my back hunched. But, as I exercise, each move and position slowly adjusted me, physically,” said Atip, a member of the Thai national shooting team for eight years. He said bodybuilding gives him the necessary strength he needs to manoeuvre and control firearms with precision.
As the world’s aesthetic trends evolve, and the team foresees being fit as defining beauty. No more skin and bones. Now, a toned, muscular body is more appreciated around the globe. “We are currently in an era of health and fitness,” said Wilaiporn. “And people do value perseverance and discipline that comes with exercising. Muscles are difficult to build up, and people are proud as they work hard to get it. It makes them more confident of their own bodies and of themselves.”
Atip Anantawan. Danny D’Mello
Pala Meechai. photos courtesy of Danny D’Mello
Wilaiporn Wannaklang. Danny D’Mello
This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.