As a male journalist and a regular gym-goer, being handed an assignment for a chat with Miss Fitness Asia 2006 is about as good as it gets.

On a beautiful Saturday afternoon I made my way down Bangkok's Prachasongkroh Road and strolled into the lobby of Powerzone fitness centre, where a svelte, muscular Roongtawan Jindasing stood ready to greet me. There my progress came to an abrupt halt.

Caught between staring at the lithe body in figure-hugging sportswear, and the voice in my head murmuring something about political incorrectness, I stood paralysed. Political correctness be damned: Roongtawan may be second only to supermodel Methinee Kingpayome in sexiness (and that's a maybe). I managed to recover in time to ask the judoka-cum-bodybuilder a few questions.

First of all, tell me a little about the life of Roongtawan Jindasing.

What a strange way to begin!

My father is Indian and my mother Thai - that explains the Indian-Thai Bangkokian looks. I stay very active and fit - both mentally and physically - am 31 years old, 162 centimetres tall and weigh 53 kilograms.

I'm also still single, so I'm looking forward to whatever the future has in store.

So, you're not seeing anyone at the moment?

No. Us bodybuilders are popular, though - I've been asked out by a few foreigners, but haven't found anyone I like yet.

You spent 14 years training and competing in judo. Why the sudden switch to fitness and bodybuilding?

 Judo was my first love but after years as part of the national team, I think I'd reached saturation point. Then, I happened to meet a group of bodybuilders on a training course. They were impressed with my shape, but said two years of bodybuilding would give me the perfect body.

So, after two year's pumping iron, what do you think are the big differences between judo and bodybuilding?

The two sports are totally different. Judo is a combat sport. To beat your opponent, you sometimes have to deal with a head-on collision. It's definitely thrilling, for competitors and spectators.

Bodybuilding, on the other hand, is an activity that helps build up muscle strength and size. 

What's your fashion - with those muscles is it difficult to find clothes?

Sporty is my style. Ready-to-wear clothes are good enough for me but I normally buy a size up and have my tailor fit it to my shape - small waist and V-shape figure. Basically, I can wear anything that a woman would love to - shorts, sleeveless blouses, pants, dresses and skirts.

What about your evening dress?

Well, outside Thailand I look just an average-sized woman. At home, though, I have to be a bit more cautious, avoiding sleeveless dresses for example. If I do wear one, I'll drape a shawl over the shoulders.

Do you think bodybuilding for women will ever rival sports like badminton, tennis and volleyball?

 I think more Thai women are taking it up. Many, though, have this fear that weight training will change their feminine figure overnight. Look at me! Two years, and I still have a womanly figure, right?

An exercise programme can work miracles for women. Firstly, regular weight training means you won't have to worry about brittle bones as you get older. Secondly, your body will look firmer - if you go on a diet, you'll look slim, but if you do weight training, you'll not only be slim, your body will also be fit and firm. Thirdly, with this kind of figure, you're going to be popular.

How many meals do you eat each day?

 Six meals, three main ones. Bodybuilders have to be careful what they eat and stick to a non-fat, protein-rich diet ... especially fish, chicken and so forth. We're lifting hundreds of kilos per day and to compensate for the shortage of energy and muscular fatigue, it's necessary that we eat more meals.

How do you have time for six meals? And how do you resist the temptation of things like cakes and cookies?

It's not a big deal. I eat quickly for convenience.

As for junk food, I set a day - normally Saturday or Sunday - and allow myself a treat of a cake.

Have you been successful in the sport after two years at it?

 Last year I took part in the Thai National Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships - first time in front of judges and a crowd. I came runner-up in the bodybuilding contest and third in the Miss Fitness contest - great for a beginner. Later in the year, I represented Thailand in the Asian Bodybuilding Championships in South Korea. I finished second in the bodybuilding and third in the Miss Fitness.

I trained like mad after that, and last March in Vietnam I won the Miss Fitness competition. It was a dream come true. I even made the headlines in some local newspapers and magazines. I think that was one of the greatest successes I've had in life. Everyone knows me now, wherever I go.

Just how tough is your training?

I train every day here at Powerzone. I spend around an hour and a half in the gym moving from one piece of equipment to another. With the leg press, for example, I do three repetitions pushing over 100kg 10 times, pausing for around 15 seconds between each one. I also do shoulder lifts of 70kg and bench-press more than 60kg. Working out is addictive. After a while you can't live without it. And as a woman, you get a benefit of slowing the ageing process. I'll never give it              up - I couldn't   imagine a day without exercise, but I'll adjust the intensity as I get older.

Is bodybuilding a career for you, then?

No. Bodybuilding is just one of my favourite sports. I'm actually a police sergeant - I work in the Research and Development Department for the Royal Thai Police. I still part-time as a judo coach for national players, too.

Preechachan Wiriyanupappong

The Nation