Hawaibam Ricky’s rise from local bodybuilding competitions in Manipur to the world stage reflects years of training, discipline and determination. Training at Royal Gym in Ningomthong, Manipur, Ricky reached a milestone in his career by winning gold at the Junior Mr. World competition in 2025.
His achievement followed a series of podium finishes at university, district, state and national competitions. Each contest added to his experience, helping him build the physique and confidence needed to compete internationally.
Career Titles and Achievements
- Junior Mr. World 2025 – Gold medallist
- Mr. Asia 2025 – Fourth place
- Junior Mr. India 2025 – Gold medallist
- Mr. Imphal East 2025 – Silver medallist
- Mr. Manipur 2023 – Silver medallist
- Mr. Manipur 2024 – Bronze medallist
- Manipur University Best Physique 2023 – Silver medallist
- Manipur University Best Physique 2024 – Silver medallist
Building His Foundation in Manipur
Ricky developed his competitive experience through bodybuilding events in Manipur. He won silver at Mr. Manipur in 2023 and bronze in 2024, followed by another silver at Mr. Imphal East in 2025.
He also secured silver medals at the Manipur University Best Physique competitions in both 2023 and 2024. These performances marked important stages in his development as a young bodybuilder, providing opportunities to improve his conditioning, presentation and stage presence. Behind those results lay the steady demands of the sport: regular training, careful nutrition and the patience to make gradual improvements.
Winning Junior Mr. India 2025
Ricky’s breakthrough at the national level came at the 15th Junior Men’s, Masters and Divyang Bodybuilding Championship, held in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, on March 29–30, 2025.
Competing in the junior men’s 75 kg and above category, he won gold and earned the Junior Mr. India 2025 title in his category. The victory marked a significant step forward, taking his achievements beyond the state circuit and establishing him among India’s leading junior bodybuilders.
Taking on Asia’s Best
Ricky went on to represent India at the 57th Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, held from August 18 to 25, 2025.
Competing in the men’s junior bodybuilding division, he finished fourth. Although he narrowly missed a medal, the result gave him valuable experience against international competitors and set the stage for his next challenge.
Becoming Junior World Champion
The defining moment of Ricky’s 2025 season came at the 16th WBPF World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships in Batam, Indonesia, held from November 11 to 17.
On November 14, Ricky won gold in the Junior Men’s Open Bodybuilding division. Fellow Manipuri athlete Chongtham Bluncely Meitei secured silver in the same event, giving India the top two places on the podium.
For Ricky, the world title marked the culmination of a season that had already brought national gold and a fourth-place finish in Asia. It also brought recognition to the training and sporting talent emerging from Manipur.
Manipur’s Performances at the World Championships
Athletes from the All Manipur Body Builders Association representing India recorded the following results at the championships:
- Hawaibam Ricky – Gold Medal (Junior Men’s Open Bodybuilding)
- Chongtham Bluncely Meitei – Silver Medal (Junior Men’s Open Bodybuilding)
- Sinam Momocha Singh – Bronze Medal (Senior Men’s 65 kg Category)
- Thokchom Sanjeeta – Fifth Place Finish (Women’s Bodybuilding up to 55 kg Category)
These performances highlighted Manipur’s contribution to India’s international bodybuilding achievements, with Ricky and Bluncely’s gold-and-silver finish standing out in the junior division.