IMPHAL: Manpuri bodybuilder Khundrakpam Pradipkumar , who is HIV positive , has won a bronze in the Mr World competition currently underway in Bangkok.

The 4th WBPF World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship for men and women is currently being held in Bangkok under the patronage of Thailand's ministry of sports and tourism. The tourney began on December 4 and will continue till December 10.

According to the latest report prepared by Manipur Aids Control Society (Macs), the state has 42,116 HIV positive people, including 11,778 women and 2773 children. Incidentally, Manipur is one of the six high HIV prevalence states in the country.

The All Manipur Gymnasium Association said Pradipkumar won the bronze in the 65-kg category duel held on Friday. As Pradipkumar (43) faced acute financial constraints to procure his nutritional died ahead of the competition, various social organizations, philanthropists, social welfare minister AK Mirabai Devi and Olympic bronze medalist MC Mary Kom extended monetary assistance to him.

"We are so happy with Pradipkumar's glory. He has come out with flying colours. Now, he has sent a message to the whole world that HIV positive people can also lead a healthy and dignified life," said L Deepak, the president of Manipur Network of Positive People.

"Since he (Pradipkumar) has become a global icon, the government should at least give him a proper platform or an opportunity to ensure he faces no financial hurdles in this future endeavours," said Deepak, whose organization has over 2000 HIV positive members. Deepak said they would organize a simple function to felicitate Pradipkumar after his arrival.

A resident of Sagolband Khamnam Leirak in Imphal West and a brand ambassador of Macs, Pradipkumar, revealed his status after winning senior Mr Manipur title in December 2007. The diminutive muscleman, who is on Anti Retroviral Therapy (Art), suffered financial breakdown after Macs stopped extending his nutritional aid of Rs 8000 a month since June this year.

Another big setback was the state government's failure to appoint him as a regular employee in the youth affairs and sports department despite tall promises made by a minister in 2009.