Mumbai: Thirty of India’s top most body builders will vie for top honours in the Talwalkars Classique-National Bodybuilding Championship 2013, the most prestigious body building competition of the year. This unique event is being organised by Talwalkars Better Value and the Maharashtra Body Building Association, under the aegis of the Indian Body Builders Federation (IBBF), and will herald the 80th Birthday celebrations of Shri Madhukar Talwalkar, the doyen of the Indian fitness industry.

The Indian Body Builders Federation (IBBF) is recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India. Champion Body Builders representing institutions like Indian Railways, Services, Haryana Police and states like Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Paradesh, Karnataka, Manipur, Kerala, Telangana and Maharashtra, will descend upon Mumbai for the pre-judging session on November 26, following which the top 10 athletes will be short listed to compete in the final round on November 27.
The champion of the Talwalkars Classique will stand to gain Rs 3 lakhs, with the runner up getting richer by Rs 2 lakhs and the third placed finisher winning Rs 1 lakh. There is prize money right up to the 10th place. The overall champion will received the Talwalkars Classique Trophy and a Merit Certificate, while the best poser of the evening will receive a cash prize of Rs 50,000 also with a merit certificate. All 30 participants will receive medals and participation certificates.
Leading the list of contenders will be World Champion Bobby Singh of Indian Railways, who will have to beat back the challenge of athletes like Tamil Nadu’s Rajendra, silver medalist at the Asian Championships, Murali Kumar of Indian Navy, Asian Champion, Ankur Sharma, silver medalist at the Asian Championships and Neeraj Kumar, current Mr. India in his weight category. Maharashtra’s challenge will be spearheaded by Sagar Mali, along with Sagar Katurde.