Challenge Superstar Bodybuilder event scheduled from April 1st Raises $1 million funding; Hailed next big thing of fitness industry

DELHI: There’s a new found round of fitness challenges being thrown at, from fitness experts to politicians, from sportsmen to celebrities. The international fitness market is projected to cross $20 billion according to fitness expert Naveen Kumar and Indian fitness industry is to grow at 25% per annum for next 5 years to make it one of the largest fitness market in the world. Many reality shows are propping up the spirits and keeping the stakes high for this multibillion dollar industry. The Challenge Superstar Bodybuilder event is the country’s biggest fitness reality show which has raised $ 1 million funding from FitSport LLP, a leading angel investment firm in South East Asia, which principally funds in start ups in the fitness industry. Many other investors are looking to take part in fitness investments.

Manishankar Aypam and Ramchandra Menon founded the initiative of Challenge Superstar Bodybuilder. Aypam will host the show with superstar Akshay Kumar, himself a fitness freak who even at 60 appears to be in his 30s.

The Challenge Superstar Bodybuilder was intended to be a revolutionary event for the fitness industry. In this event, any fitness enthusiast would be encouraged to take part. The ultimate aim is to convert fitness into the sports category. There will be a winning price of Rs. 1 crore. The auditions have already started in several cities. In India, bodybuilding is yet to be considered a sport and therefore, there is a lack of government funding and many aspiring bodybuilders give up promising careers for the lack of money, investment or training.

Manishankar Aypam is a fitness influencer in India. With a host of social media handles, he has been instrumental in raising awareness about fitness in India. On being asked the status of fitness in India, he replied, “Fitness in India is still not main stream. It is limited to male bodybuilding and annually held in different states. We want to break that stereotype. We want even women should have the opportunity to showcase their fitness and thus bring a revolutionary change in the fitness industry.”

FitSport LLP was founded in 2002 in Singapore by Hueng Tshing. The angel investment firm has helped many investors to invest in this sector and assisted others in expanding their investment franchise arms. It is now South East Asia’s largest investment consultancy and angel investment firm in the fitness sector.

Tshing was among the first to understand the underutilized potential of Indian fitness market. He sought to actuate his vision with his long time friend Aypam through the Challenge Superstar Bodybuilder event. He said, “The Indian fitness sector is growing at 20% year on year. But the idea of women fitness is there only in private space, we intend to bring it out to the public sphere so that they could showcase their fitness and fulfill their aspirations of becoming famous. The Challenge Superstar Bodybuilder event is a platform, I believe would help in serving that purpose.”

The Challenge Superstar Bodybuilder is scheduled for April 1st to April 7th this year. Many woman participants have also enrolled for participants. The Union Sports Minister Mr. Manilal Saxena will be the chief guest. Union Minister of Health is also expected to participate. Fitness industry is sure to take a giant leap forward.

For more information please visit www.tabban.com.au