This is a shocker for many when Majiziya Bhanu was announced the winner in the women’s category of the Mr Kerala body building competition in Kochi recently. More than anyone, it was Majiziya who was more stumped. The 23-year old girl, made herself into the bodybuilding circuit, which is mostly male thing, and could be able to manage the bodybuilding image for a woman bodybuilder.

She posed in a hijab, probably the only woman in the Kerala State to do so. Also, another point to notice is that this is her first time in the contest.

Majiziya is a final year BDS student from Orkatteri in Kozhikode. She was into athletics as a child and also into other sports, which helped her to maintain a sportive physique.

Her interest in boxing started in 2016, but soon dropped out as she was not allowed to play boxing ring wearing braces. Her interest then turned to powerlifting, after which she was declared the ‘Strong Woman of Kerala’ three times by Kerala Powerlifting Association. She won silver medal in the year 2017.

Her idea of bodybuilding started recently. She said, “I was apprehensive about taking part as it involved much skin show. But then I came across some videos of Egyptian women bodybuilders and decided to adopt the costumes they used.”

Being a first-timer, she didn’t know how to pose and she couldn’t even smile. However, thanks to the fellow male bodybuilders from Kozhikode, who supported her and also the officials tipped her on the importance of having a smile while on the dais. This helped her to gain confidence in the finals. “The clothes were never a problem as the judges were experienced enough to assess a clothed person’s build,” Majiziya explained.

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