Thailand's big hope in the bodybuilding is two-time world champion Sitthi Charoen-rith.

According to Sugree Supawarikul, the secretary general of the Thailand Bodybuilding Association (TBA), the bodybuilders are cramming in their food, but they are careful what they eat and stick to a non-fat, protein-rich diet.

"They have been training much harder than usual," he said. "They undergo weight training, lifting hundreds of kilos per day and to compensate for the shortage of energy and muscular fatigue caused by the heavy training, it's necessary that they eat more meals in one day."

The TBA are sending four bodybuilders to Doha spearheaded by Sitthi, who last year became the first Asian to win a world crown. Last month the 33-year-old from Surin retained his world title after winning the gold medal in the Czech Republic.

"Eight gold medals will be contested in Doha in the 60kg, 65kg, 70kg to over-95kg classes, all in the men's category," said Sugree. "However, only four Thais made the cut for the Doha Games."

The qualify for Doha, and to meet Olympic Committee of Thailand (OCT) standards, the bodybuilders had to finish in the top 16 at the World Championships or in the top three in the Asian Championships or be a gold medallist at the SEA Games.

Sitthi, a gold medallist at the last SEA Games, finished second in the world championships, but became the 80kg-category winner after Spanish gold medallist Arturo Castaneda was stripped of his title for testing positive to banned drugs.

Sitti's team-mates are Somkid Sumethovejakul, Somsri Tharin-thaisong and Boontham Sriboon-thong, who finished seventh, fifth and 11th in the men's 60kg, 65kg and 70kg classes respectively at last year's world championship.

"Sitthi remains Thailand's best bet in the Doha Games," said Sugree. "Somkid has also been improving dramatically, while Somsri and Boontham are also major forces to be reckoned with."

Asked about the possibility of biased judging, Sugree said: "In the Asian Games, a total of eight judges including one alternative will take charge in each category. Only seven judges will score each participant based on the bodybuilder's dazzling posture of his muscles.

"Three statisticians will also be on duty to check if there is anything wrong with the seven judges scoring system. If a judge gives points too high compared with the remaining six, his score will be replaced by the alternative judge. I don't think there will be a biased judging in Doha."

The use of banned drugs has always been a problem in bodybuilding, with many critics claiming it is not a sport but an excuse to use steroids. However, authorities have cracked down in recent years.

Preechachan

Wiriyanupappong

The Nation