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Time of India
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Who is Hillang Yajik? Meet the first female from Arunachal to win gold at South Asian bodybuilding championships
Know about Hillang Yajik: India's presence on the international physique sports stage has been amplified by Hillang Yajik, the 24‑year‑old powerhouse from Arunachal Pradesh, who clinched gold in the Women's Model Physique (up to 155 cm) category at the 15th South Asian Bodybuilding & Physique Sports Championships in Thimphu, Bhutan. Not only did she stand atop the podium, but she also added a silver medal to her haul, making history as the first woman from her state to earn international medals in physique sports. Her triumph, widely celebrated across social media and the sporting community, underscores her dedication and hard work. This milestone sets a new benchmark for India's northeast athletes and commands full attention to her inspiring journey. Who is Hillang Yajik? India's Yajik Hillang won Gold medal at the 15th South Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships 2025 at Thimphu in Bhutan | Credit: Instagran A pioneering Indian physique athlete, Hillang Yajik hails from the Kurung Kumey area of Arunachal Pradesh. She made history by being the first female bodybuilder from her state to win significant international medals at the young age of 24 or 25. She won gold and silver in the Women's Model Physique (up to 155 cm) division in the 15th South Asian Bodybuilding & Physique Sports Championships in Thimphu, Bhutan, in June 2025. This was an unprecedented accomplishment for athletes from Northeast India. From taking home silver at the India Federation Cup in Goa in April 2024 to securing berths for the Asian and World championships, her ascent has been extraordinary. Hillang, who was born on January 20, 2000, has a master's degree in political science and balances her sports career with jobs as a fitness trainer and dance instructor. Her local bodybuilding association, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, and Chief Minister Pema Khandu of Arunachal Pradesh have praised her, and she has now encouraged more women in northeastern India to participate in physique sports. Hillang Yajik's career A pioneering Indian physique athlete, Hillang Yajik hails from the Kurung Kumey area of Arunachal Pradesh. She made history by being the first female bodybuilder from her state to win significant international medals at the young age of 24 or 25. She won gold and silver in the Women's Model Physique (up to 155 cm) division in the 15th South Asian Bodybuilding & Physique Sports Championships in Thimphu, Bhutan, in June 2025. This was an unprecedented accomplishment for athletes from Northeast India. From taking home silver at the India Federation Cup in Goa in April 2024 to securing berths for the Asian and World championships, her ascent has been extraordinary. Hillang, who was born on January 20, 2000, has a master's degree in political science and balances her sports career with jobs as a fitness trainer and dance instructor. Her local bodybuilding association, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, and Chief Minister Pema Khandu of Arunachal Pradesh have praised her, and she has now encouraged more women in northeastern India to participate in physique sports. Hillang made her debut at the Federation Cup in Gangtok, Sikkim, in March 2022, where she placed fourth in the Women's Model Physique (above 165 cm) division. Even though she didn't place first, it guaranteed her a spot in the elite national tournament. At the Eastern Zone National Championships in Kolkata in November 2022, she won a silver medal in the Model Physique category, her first national honor. Her emerging prominence in Indian physical sports was proclaimed by that performance. April of 2024 An important turning point With a silver in the Women's Sports Physique category in Goa, Hillang became the first female athlete from Arunachal Pradesh to win a medal at the Federation Cup. Her stellar performance and dedication towards fitness has won her 1 Gold & 1 Silver medal at the 15th South Asian Bodybuilding & Physique | Credit: Instagram Kochi will participate in the 15th WBPF World Bodybuilding and Physique Championships in the Maldives (November 5–11, 2024) and the 56th Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Championships in Batam, Indonesia (August 6–12, 2024) in May 2024. With gold in the women's model physique (155 cm), silver in another physique division, and bronze in the swimsuit physique event, Hillang made her name in the 15th South Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships in Thimpu, Bhutan, in June 2025. She became the first female physique athlete from Arunachal Pradesh to win an international gold medal, which was a historic accomplishment. Hillang has elevated the local start to national and worldwide prominence and cleared the way for female athletes in Arunachal. She will continue to compete in elite international events following her 2025 triumph, most likely the Asian and WBPF World Championships. She is becoming a well-known inspiration, encouraging people from far-flung regions of India to participate in sports and push themselves. Hillang Yajik's gold award. Hillang Yajik's trophies Gold in Women's Model Physique (≤155 cm) Silver in Other Physique Division Bronze in Swimsuit Physique Event Hillang Yajik: From Arunachal's Hills to South Asian Physique Glory — Pema Khandu པདྨ་མཁའ་འགྲོ་། (@PemaKhanduBJP) June 15, 2025 Hillang Yajik, a 24‑year‑old athlete from the remote Kurung Kumey district in Arunachal Pradesh, has become a trailblazer for women's physique sports in India. At the 15th South Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships held in Thimphu, Bhutan from June 11–15, 2025, she claimed gold in the Women's Model Physique (up to 155 cm) category and secured an additional silver medal—an unprecedented achievement for any woman from her state. Her victory resonated deeply across political and sporting circles—Chief Minister Pema Khandu lauded her as a 'trailblazer in every sense,' while Union Minister Kiren Rijiju praised her for 'creating history'. The Arunachal Bodybuilding Association also attributed her win to her discipline and ambition, believing it will inspire future female athletes from the Northeast.


India Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Virat Kohli pens emotional father's day note, reveals moment that changed his life forever
Legendary Virat Kohli penned an emotional father's day note for his late dad on Sunday, June 15. The former India captain revealed on Instagram the exact moment which shaped his entire life's on Sunday, Kohli wrote that it was his father that instilled the ethics of hard work in him. He revealed that despite being given a shortcut to the team during his early days, his father closed that door for him, directing him to earn his place in the taught me to never rely on shortcuts or influence — because if you truly have it in you, hard work will show it. And if you don't have the will to work for it, then maybe you don't deserve it yet," Virat Kohli said on Instagram. "When I was offered an easier path once, he refused it for me. With calm conviction, he said,'If you're good enough, you'll find your way. And if not, it's better to know that early.' That one moment shaped how I live, work, and show up in the world. Happy Father's Day to all the fathers whose quiet strength becomes our lifelong compass," Kohli concluded. advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Virat Kohli (@ Kohli's father Prem Nath Kohli was a lawyer by profession. He was a pivotal figure in shaping the early life and career of the renowned Indian cricketer. Born into a Punjabi Hindu family in Delhi, Virat's formative years were significantly influenced by his father's guidance and support. Prem Kohli's discipline and integrity would later reflect in Virat's approach to 2006, Prem Kohli passed away due to a stroke at the age of 54. This event had a profound impact on Virat. Despite the personal loss, Virat displayed remarkable resilience and commitment to cricket. Just a day after his father's passing, he played a crucial match for Delhi against Karnataka, scoring 90 runs—a testament to his determination and dedication to the in the day, Kohli's wife Anushka Sharma penned a lovely note for her husband. Anushka took to Instagran and wrote, 'To the first man I ever loved—and the first man our daughter did. Happy Father's Day to all the beautiful fathers everywhere (sic)."Must Watch


Time of India
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Virat Kohli opens up about his early financial struggles — a powerful reminder of how far grit can take you
credit: Instagran/ In a raw and heartfelt moment, cricket icon and heartthrob of many, Virat Kohli, opened up about a side of his story not often seen on the pitch. On the pitch, he is the fierce player that can never be defeated, and on the other hand, you see this emotional person, who lifted himself and went on to be the greatest cricket player in Indian history. His family's early financial struggles and the uncertainty that showed his path to success. When he first started talking to Indian football player Sunil Chettri during a live Instagram session, Virat Kohli reveals a powerful truth that greatness isn't born in comfort- it is created in adversity. What made Virat Kohli the man he is today credits: Instagram/ From facing initial challenges such as the payment of academy fees and buying proper gear to play cricket, but even that didn't stop him, he took it sportingly and said, 'If I keep going forward, everything will be taken care of'. Kohli begins by reflecting on a particularly dark time in his youth. His brother's business faced a severe downturn, and their family, once managing relatively well, suddenly started grappling with money issues. This memory of his still feels fresh, but perhaps that is what guided him to be the best version of himself, and gave India one of his best players and perhaps an even smarter team captain. At that time when he joined cricket, he did not know that it would guarantee a livelihood; to him, it was just a gamble, but the unshakeable belief that he had in himself and the faith his father instilled in him was more than enough to play that gamble. What stands out in his whole fiasco is that he took it upon himself, promised himself that he would persist and pursue no matter what. He did not wallow in his circumstances instead, he sharpened his focus, set a target, trained hard and pushed his boundaries to surpass his limitations. To him, the fame and glamour were not such great motivators, it was the necessity for him that built him into who we know today–A fighter, a firm believer and a true champion. You can only rely on your hard work, a thing Virat learned from his father, there are no shortcuts to success, it is just pure hard work. His father was the one who made him see that the hard work you put in today will be rewarded tomorrow. He gave Virat the right teachings by action. Today, when he steps onto the cricket field, millions of people are watching him, praising him for the man he is, but nobody knows and acknowledges his determination and hardwork he did to earn this respect. This determination, which was developed through discipline after being born under stress, is what makes Virat Kohli's story so very inspiring. His story is a reminder that true success takes patience and persistence, even in a world that often glorifies quick solutions. His rise was marked more by determination than talent. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !