The sixth International Bodybuilding and Fitness Bikini Contest was taking place in Sanya, with three titles up for grabs: bodybuilding, physique, and women’s fitness bikini.

In the preliminary round, 368 athletes from 13 countries and regions posed to make the finals. The top 10 contestants from each category reached the last stage.

Li wins bodybuilding title, Maximova earns fitness bikini crown in Sanya

Finally, local favourite Li Yaqiang won the men’s bodybuilding title, Zhang Jian from Shanghai finished second, and Beijing’s Luo Yu came third.

Ukraine’s Andrian Volosheyn captured the men’s physique title. And, Eva Maximova of Russia had a perfect debut, as she was crowned the best in the women’s fitness bikini event.

Qian Jicheng, who won China’s first world bodybuilding title back in 2005, hopes this event can inspire people to become healthier.

“We introduced the fitness bikini and men's physique events to China. In three years time, the events have become quite popular in the country with elite athletes emerging as well,” said Qian Jicheng, tournament founder.  

“We have won the men’s physique world title and our competitors finished second in the recent world fitness bikini championships. These events are much easier for people to take part in and it promotes a healthy way of life.”