Bodybuilding competition with a difference in Indonesia – contestants lift piles of tiles to show their muscles
- Jatiwangi is the centre of roof tile production in West Java, but interest in the trade has declined as people turn to ‘cleaner’ professions
- A bodybuilding competition was set up in 2015 to highlight the people behind tile-making and to introduce the dying industry to a younger generation
The bodybuilder, muscles shiny with baby oil, hoists a stack of roof tiles over his head. He clenches his muscles, strikes a pose and revels in the applause. The audience roars with appreciation as multicoloured spotlights glint off his body.
At the Jatiwangi building, the competitors take off their clothes, put on dark blue shorts, and rub oil over their bodies. The master of ceremonies begins the contest at about 7pm, and the audience on the first and second floors of the auditorium shout out the names of their favourite participants.
Each competitor strides onto the stage and strikes five poses. They begin with three free poses, and pose with roof tiles instead of barbells for the final two. The stage measures three metres by 10 metres, and the competitors lift the tiles over their heads or to their sides.
