Sikkim athletes have secured a major international opportunity after four lifters from the state were selected for the Indian team for the 13th World Strengthlifting and Incline Bench Press (IBP) Championship 2026 in Kyrgyzstan. The selection marks an important achievement for Sikkim’s growing strengthlifting community and puts four local competitors on the global stage.
Sikkim athletes selected for India team
The four selected lifters are Pema Dorjee Bhutia, Milan Pradhan, Binu Subba and Sangita Tamang, according to the Sikkim Strengthlifting Association (SSA). They will be part of a 44-member Indian contingent for the international championship in Kyrgyzstan.
The selection has drawn attention because three of the four athletes from Sikkim are women, highlighting the expanding participation of women in strength sports in the state. Pema Dorjee Bhutia is also a recognised figure in Sikkim’s strengthlifting circuit and is popularly known as the state’s “Iron Man”.
The upcoming competition will bring together strength athletes from different countries, giving the selected competitors an opportunity to test themselves against international competition.
Sikkim athletes prepare for global challenge
The selection comes after sustained training and participation in competitive strengthlifting. Pema Dorjee Bhutia said the opportunity was the result of discipline, hard work, dedication and consistent preparation.
He also described the selection as a matter of pride not only for the individual athletes but for Sikkim and its strengthlifting fraternity. According to Bhutia, the encouragement received from the association and the state government has helped athletes pursue higher levels of competition.
The four lifters will now focus on preparation for their international campaign. Competing at a world championship requires athletes to maintain training discipline, physical conditioning and focus while adapting to the demands of a major international event.
State support gives strengthlifting a boost
Sikkim Strengthlifting Association working president Alan Targen congratulated the four athletes and wished them success at the championship. He said their selection was a proud moment for the state and could bring greater recognition to Sikkim’s strengthlifting community.
Targen also thanked Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang for his continued support for the sport. He acknowledged the state government’s financial assistance to the athletes, which is expected to help them with preparations and participation at the international event.
Government and association support can play an important role in strengthening competitive sports, particularly for athletes who need resources for training, travel and participation in national and international championships.
A growing strengthlifting culture in Sikkim
The latest selection is part of a broader push by Sikkim’s strengthlifting community to expand participation and competitive opportunities. Earlier this year, 16 lifters from the state were selected to compete at the Eastern India and Jharkhand State Strengthlifting and IBP Championship in Ranchi. The team included nine men and seven women.
The association has also organised state-level competitions to provide athletes with regular opportunities to compete and develop their skills. The 8th State Strength Lifting Championship was held in Mangan in May, offering another platform for lifters from across the state.
Sikkim has also produced athletes who have performed strongly at national competitions. In January 2025, young athlete Atiksha Pradhan won two gold medals at the 34th National Strengthlifting and Incline Bench Press Championship in Haryana. Her earlier participation included two silver medals at the 2023 edition in Hyderabad.
International stage awaits four lifters
The 13th World Strengthlifting and IBP Championship is scheduled to take place in Kyrgyzstan in September 2026. The World Strength Lifting Federation lists Kyrgyzstan among previous championship venues, with the ninth edition held there in 2022.
For Pema Dorjee Bhutia, Milan Pradhan, Binu Subba and Sangita Tamang, the 2026 championship represents an opportunity to carry Sikkim’s name into an international sporting arena. Their participation could also inspire more young athletes in the Himalayan state to take up strengthlifting.
With the support of the association, the state government and the wider sporting community, the four lifters will now look to turn their selection into strong performances for India. Their journey to the world championship is another sign of Sikkim’s growing presence in competitive strengthlifting.
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