The drama surrounding the lifetime suspension of Jahid Hasan Shuvo by Bangladesh Bodybuilding Federation is not going to be over anytime soon as the Sports Ministry initiates its investigation Wednesday on the viral issue.
It was found out after studying the laws of the game that none of the six final competitors in the event presented themselves in accordance with the basic guidelines of the international bodybuilding authority, IFBB.
The BBF then became the talk of the country's social media after former champion Jahid kicked off one of his second-best prizes and followed it up by vulgar gestures and slangs in front of the audience in his immediate reaction and protest for not being adjudged first.
Later, he accused the organizers of being biased in several video clips on the internet.
The federation also called an emergency executive committee meeting within two days and banned the bodybuilder forever for such unruly behavior.
The netizens were divided in their opinions, which perhaps prompted the ministry to take the subject seriously as it formed a two-member committee comprising joint-secretary Dr. Md Abul Hossain and deputy secretary Mohammad Liakat Ali.
Also Read: Jahid gets lifetime ban for bizarre protest
What is Men's Physique event?
It was an event of Men's Physique division in 170+ physical height category.
Men's Physique was officially recognized as a new sport discipline by the IFBB in 2012 where men prefer to develop less muscular, yet athletic and aesthetically pleasing physique.
Originally, Men's Physique was a part of the IFBB World Fitness Championships but starting from 2017, this sport division was included in the World Bodybuilding Championships.
Unlike typical bodybuilding events, competitors of Men's Physique wear an opaque, loose-fitting board shorts which covers the whole upper leg, down the upper point of the knee.
Judges assess the overall physique for the degree of proportion, symmetry, muscle contours and quality (density, bodyfat level) as well as skin tone.
This event was introduced in Bangladesh in the last four years.
How do the judges assess?
According to the rules of Men's Physique, the assessment should begin at the head and extend downwards, taking the whole physique into account.
The assessment, beginning with the general impression of the physique, should take into consideration the condition of the skin, skin tone and also the hair.
The judges are reminded that extreme muscularity and definition should not be encouraged.
Judges have to reward the contestant with the best presence and poise, who can successfully convey his personality to the audience and able to present himself onstage with confidence.
What happened on the stage?
The law speaks more about the aesthetic side of the body and discourages toughness, but in this particular competition, all the final participants were sometimes posing displaying muscularity.
Besides, no competitor could properly follow the basic rules of the game, especially during their front position on the stage.
The rules state that one hand should rest on the hip with four fingers at the front of the body while the second hand hangs down along the body, slightly out to the side, elbow slightly bent with open palm and straight, aesthetically configured fingers.
No participant followed this rule also as none of their four fingers of one hand on the hip were at the front of the body.
Most of their other hands were fisted and elbows were bent.
There are also questions regarding the poise of quarter turn left, right and back position, as well as display of the legs and head.
It is reminded by IFBB that Men's Physique is not a bodybuilding contest.
The competitors should have shape to their muscle but not the separation, definition, very low bodyfat level, dryness or hardness that are seen at bodybuilding competitions.
What did the chief judge say?
There were 11 judges to assess the event with 75-year old Jahir Chowdhury, who is an international judge for more than two decades, being the chief judge.
“If I say honestly, the person who finished second deserved that place. It's not a bodybuilding contest but Shuvo (Jahid) has been selling it as bodybuilding to crowd people to his side. It's just an aesthetically pleasing game,” Jahir told Dhaka Tribune.
“He (Jahid) showed extreme muscularity. His definition also fell behind and his skin tone was also not the best. The one who finished first (Sajib) has better physique and a softer body.”
Jahir admitted that the Bangladesh bodybuilders can't present themselves properly on the stage, and that the positioning of their hands and legs are also not right.
What did the federation say?
“The body alone can't win you the competition but the pose and how you present it is also important.” BBF general secretary Nazrul Islam told Dhaka Tribune.
He also said the way Jahid reacted to the results left no option for the federation but to take strict disciplinary action according to the constitution of IFBB.
“He didn't accept the verdict of the judges. He rather kicked the prize and insulted the federation, which was totally against the code of ethics,” added Nazrul, a former bodybuilder named Mr. Bangladesh in 1979, who has been involved with the federation since the 1990s.
Jahid couldn't be reached over phone for comments despite repeated attempts.