Kashmiri fitness guru Ishtiyaq Khan to judge ‘Mr, Miss Universe 2023’ in Mexico

Sheikh Irfan

Srinagar: Adding one more feather to his cap, a fitness guru from Kashmir is going to attend and judge Mr and Miss Universe 2023 competition to be held in Mexico in July.

Ishtiyaq Ahmad Khan, who is currently President World Fitness Federation Jammu and Kashmir has got invitation to attend Mr Universe Competition.

This is for the first time that any Indian bodybuilder will attend and judge such an international competition.

“I recently got an invitation for attending Mr Universe 2023 Competition in North America. The competition will be held in July and right now I am completing formalities for the same,” he said.

 An ace bodybuilder, he said attending the event was a matter of honor. “Our boys for preparing for many international competitions. I hope to see our boys in such international events in coming years. I will watch and share my experience with our bodybuilders,” he said.

Prior to it, Khan was among the 20-member jury to select Mr. and Ms. India in Odisha in December last year.  

In October last year , Khan, who is also the president of Powerlifting, India, organized Mr. Jammu and Kashmir events in which scores of athletes participated. “I want our children to make a mark in sports and compete with stalwarts,” he said.

A gym buddy of `The Great Khali’, Khan has now embarked on a new journey to popularise bodybuilding and keep youth away from drugs in Kashmir.

Khan is also holding bodybuilding competitions in various districts of Jammu and Kashmir to motivate youth to shun negativity and stay fit.

Khan believed that the inclination of youth towards sports can tackle the increasing drug addiction in the valley. “We wish our youth to compete in Mr. Asia and other top competitions. Sports inculcate discipline and keep youth away from drugs and unhealthy foods,” he said.