Shweta Rathore creates history by winning silver medal at Asian Bodybuilding Championship

Rathore has won her second major title at the continental level

Shweta Rathore, became the first ever Indian female bodybuilder to win a medal at a continental level tournament, by finishing second at the ongoing Asian Championship in Uzbekistan. An engineer by qualification, Shweta won a silver medal in the women’s fitness category and booked a slot in the world championship to be held in Thailand, later this year.

An engineer qualification, Rathore has been the flag-bearer for women’s bodybuilding in India, having participated in tournaments across the world. She also runs an Academy called fitness forever. The Mumbai based athlete, had earlier won a bronze medal at the World Bodybuilding and Physique fitness Championship. Ever since her victory, Rathore has dedicated herself to uplift the state of women’s bodybuilding in India.

She stated after winning her bronze medal last year, “My medal should act as an inspiration to other girls. There is no harm in keeping fit and don’t listen to what other people say.” The 25-year old also started an NGO called God’s Beautiful Children, to help nurture the future of women in India.

Rathore’s fight to streamline women’s bodybuilding into India’s sporting landscape, has come with it’s fair share of problem. She herself admits, that stereotypes attached to women, makes a lot of people uncomfortable. Rathore stated, “So many people used to tell me to get married, instead of spending time at the gym, but what’s important is not to lose focus. Such things have now become common for me, and I don’t pay attention to it.”

She started going to the gym, at the age of 12 much to the apprehension of her parents. Rathore said, “My dad was completely against it, so I used to go secretly, during my tuition hours, but after seeing my muscles grow on a daily basis, he realised I was going to the gym. Since then he has supported me. That being said, my mother and brother have always supported me.”

Rathore is also a panel member of the Body power Expo, one of the leading amateur competions in the world. Along with 23-year old Rebita Kongbrailaptan from Manipur, Indian women’s body-bodybuilding now has representatives on the world stage. Rebita, a former wushu expert, started her bodybuilding career in Imphal. However, there was sheer outrage, when she turned up in a two-piece outfit.

Since, then Rebita took it upon herself to break stereotypes attached to women’s bodybuilding.