Lourembam Irabanta Singh in Imphal on Sunday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Imphal, Dec.17: Lourembam Irabanta Singh of Young Body Builder Gymnasium, Pishum, was crowned Mr Manipur 2007 in a contest organised by All Manipur Body-Building Association at GM Hall last night.

Irabanta Singh, in the 65kg category, edged out Kh. Pradipkumar of Eagle Gym and N. Premnath of Unique Gym.

Pradipkumar and Premnath had to be content with titles in the 60kg and 70kg respectively.

Young Body Builder Gymnasium, also known as YBB Gym, walked out with the overall team championship title.

YBB coach Bipin Singh, a member of the All Manipur Body Building Association, said the gymnasium boys have won five Mr Manipur titles since it formally started in 1990.

He added that for the last 17 years, their team has continuously been bagging the team champion’s title and it gave him immense pleasure to work with his boys.

Bhupendra Nongmeikapam of Royal Gym, Ningomthong, was declared junior Mr Manipur, 2007 while L. Okendro of Manipur Police Sports Club bagged the sub-junior Mr Manipur title.

In the Masters Body Building 55kg plus, O. Deben of YBB Gym walked away with the first prize.

The physically challenged Master title was awarded to lone contestant P. Premkumar of Unique Gym.

Altogether 87 body builders participated in the annual event.