India’s trailblazing bodybuilder Naji Hillang has scripted history by winning the gold medal at the 57th Asian Bodybuilding & Physique Sports Championship 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 25-year-old from Arunachal Pradesh emerged champion in the Women’s Model Physique (Up to 160 cm) category, defeating a strong field of international athletes.
Hailing from Kurung Kumey district, Hillang—widely recognised as the state’s first female bodybuilder—has steadily risen to prominence.
Earlier this year, she made headlines at the 15th South Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships in Bhutan, where she claimed both a gold and a silver medal, becoming the first female athlete from the state to achieve such a feat at the international level.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju extended his congratulations, noting that her victory was not only a personal milestone but also a matter of national pride.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu led the state in celebrating her achievement, calling it a moment of pride for Arunachal Pradesh and India.
Hillong, who trained under the guidance of the Indian Body Builders Federation after clearing national selection trials in Kerala, has previously represented India at the 56th Asian Bodybuilding & Physique Sports Championship and the 15th WBPF World Championship. Despite not winning last year, she had vowed to come back stronger—and delivered on her promise.
With her gold in Bangkok, Naji Hillang has cemented her place as a pioneering figure in Indian women’s bodybuilding, inspiring a new generation of athletes from the North East and beyond.
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