Reportage – 2005

The man whose business is fitness

MCLEOD GANJ, India, 28 November 2005

Jampa Phuntsok, aiming Mr Universe [ click here for print size   [an error occurred while processing this directive] ]

At the sight of him running around in Mcleod Ganj with merchandise that he brings from Nepal, Jampa Phuntsok may look like just another typical Tibetan businessman trying to live his life. Realities of life have forced him to do this petty business to earn his livelihood. His reality is a story not many people know.

Fitness was his interest, the classroom wasn’t. So, he left school and joined the army. During his vacation in 1994, Jampa became more serious in his passion for his "fitness" — for a strong body. He took some tips and lessons in the art of body building in Kalimpong, where he was born and hails from. His hard work paid off in his very first competition — he won the Mr Doon title the same year.

Titles started to pile up to his credit since then. He was Mr Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council overall winner in March 2005. In other words, the best overall in the competition. His other major titles include: Mr All India, third place, in 2004; Mr Kanchenjunga 2004; Mr North India, second place, in 2003; Muscle Man of Uttranchal in 2003; Mr Uttranchal 2002, Mr Bengal 2002, Mr North East 2001, and the list goes further on. "I have to look in to my record to give you the complete list of titles," Jampa says cheerfully sipping hot ginger lemon honey in the cold Mcleod Ganj air.

Jampa Phuntsok: Chest 41, Arms 16, Waist 28, Thigh 24 and Calf 15 and a half [ click here for print size   [an error occurred while processing this directive] ]

Needing more personal time for working out and to be flexible in travelling for competitions, he resigned from army in 2000. But he had left behind a legacy of enthusiasm for bodybuilding culture in the army. Jampa remains the epitome of the current enthusiasm of bodybuilding among Tibetan army at the Special Frontier Force (SFF, a unit under the Indian army, headquartered at Chakrata, Uttranchal). One of Jampa's trainees, Lobsang Dhondup, won Mr SFF in June this year. "I feel proud and happy to see Lobsang win," Jampa says exuberantly.

Mcleod Ganj has charmed him. But the first complaint he shot was the old and dilapidated gym in Mcleod Ganj. He believes that a healthy society comes from a healthy people. Healthy mind sits in a healthy body. He believes that a gym can help build a healthy society. "With a nice gym, people, especially youngsters, will become drawn and enthusiastic about having a nice body. This will help reduce many social evils." The current state of the gym has given him the urge to start one here.

Exuding a healthy body and mind himself, Jampa can get sophisticated — that he can harp on nutrition, dieting and working out for hours. He likes to talk about nutrition and, of course, working out too. His daily diet includes: one kilogram chicken, one kilogram fish, 30 eggs (divided in to eight times a day), one kilogram fruits, green salad one plate, 30 grams WHEY protein (a form of concentrated protein) and there are pre and post fuel energizers before and after working out. When a competition approaches, the dieting becomes stricter — he will also consume food throughout the night at regular intervals.

"The judges look at the cuts" [ click here for print size   [an error occurred while processing this directive] ]

With all these food intake and working out daily for two hours, his vital statistics are: Chest 41, Arms 16, Waist 28, Thigh 24 and Calf 15 and a half inches. He competes in the 65 to 70 kg category.

His aim — to represent Tibet in international bodybuilding competitions. But Jampa is aware that Tibet may not be accepted as a country to represent. Remember when Miss Tibet 2004 Tashi Yangchen was ousted from a pageant in Zimbabwe, and similarly had to refuse her participation in Malaysia when she was asked to represent as Miss Tibet-China?

You will not be surprised to see a Jampa Bhutia in the next Mr Universe competition. This Jampa Bhutia will be our Jampa Phuntsok. The only difference is that he will be standing under an Indian flag. He is now willing to use an Indian passport, as it is important to make the best use of what is available to promote his career and contribute towards his cause. Citizenship is but a name, what matters is the person behind the title, who is a son of Tibet.

In 2003, he had Indian sponsors, and was trained in Bombay. But after his reluctance to hold an Indian passport, and subsequently failing to participate in an international competition, his contract ended.

Jampa's only worry is how long he can pull through his tight financial situation before he can materialise his goal. If finance becomes a concern, he will retire. And the bad thing is, he is only 29. On average, bodybuilders retire at age 45. However difficult the financial situation, he has made up his mind to compete in Mr India competition, when it will be held in Darjeeling next year.

Sadly, his retirement will be a talent lost for Tibet. Saving this talent is not an easy task either. His full–fledged bodybuilder's diet for a month costs 500 USD. For him it's not easy also to keep up to this dieting standard. "This business is about tough getting tougher. Unlike our (Tibetan) situation, my antagonists have companies sponsoring them," Jampa sighs. "Mr Universe may be three years of rigorous training and work out," he adds.

His aims are high and great. "If I could get the diets and the training I need, I am sure to win the Mr Universe title. I have been in this business and I know what it takes to win this title. I am ready to face the challenge," Jampa gushes with confidence.

His vision doesn’t stop with the Mr Universe title. He wants to see that young Tibetans follow his lead and put in the hours it takes to excel in this sport. But first Mcleod Ganj needs a state-of-the-art gym where would–be world–class competitors can work towards their dream.

It's now over to you, who have the resources, to put your hands in your pockets to help materialise Jampa's noble vision, to save his talent and create many more.