Taking the turban crown: International Mr Singh 'beauty contest' for Sikh cultural ambassador
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Competition to find Sikh cultural ambassador held in Amritsar, India
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Annual pageant to promote Sikh culture and traditions saw competitors from the UK, Canada and Australia audition
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Finalists in Mr Singh International Turban Pride compete in fitness, talent and attire but also have to show correct manners and knowledge of tradition
By Sara Malm
Finalists in the annual Mr Singh International Turban Pride competition show off their posing skills and impressive chests during the 'physique round' of the grand finale of the annual pageant.
The competition to become this year's Sikh cultural ambassador was fierce, with 26 finalists battling it out on stage in Amritsar, India. The pageant was set up in 2005 to fight back against stereotypes and promote Sikh culture and traditions.
Body, mind and soul: The contestants had to show that they had the body as well as the mind to become cultural ambassadors for their faith
Proud Sikhs: Some of the finalists in the grand finale of the Mr. Singh International Turban Pride 2012 take the stage in Amritsar
Bulging muscles: Some of the contestants chose to go topless for the 'physique round' in order to score points with the judges
This year saw young Sikhs from across the globe, including the UK, Canada, Mauritius and Australia, fly to India to audition for the pageant.The participants compete in four rounds; physique, traditional attire, royal attire and talent.
Mr Singh International Turban Pride is organised by two religious outfits, the Akaal Purkh Ki Fauj (APKF) and Chief Khalsa Diwan, to inspire young Sikhs all over the world to be proud of their heritage. The selected 26 have gone through rigorous training before the final, including lessons in Gatka - Sikh martial art - and they are all expected to learn to dance Bhangra.
Showing off: Finalists strike a pose during the 'physique round' of the competition held yesterday
Incredible Mr Singh: A contestant shows off his impressive muscles in a bid to become Mr Singh of the year
Eyes of steel: A competitor gives the crowd a fierce glance as he holds on to his blade
APKF spokesperson Jaswinder Singh Jassi said that the participants should have knowledge about Sikhism and will also be judged on their basic etiquettes, including table manners.
After a hard-fought race, Tejinder Singh was named the winner and happily posed on stage in traditional attire with with first runner-up Deepinder Singh and second runner-up Tarundeep Singh. Mr Singh Jassi said the competition has installed new pride in young Sikh men. He said: 'When we initiated Mr Singh International in 2005, it was a challenge, as all movies showed Sikhs as comical characters.
Hey ladies: One of the 26 selected Mr Singh's flexes his muscles for the spectators
Crowd pleasers: Contestant number two riled the spectators whilst contestant number nine gets down with it
Sharp support: The competitor gets a supportive cheer from a fellow Mr Singh brandishing a traditional sword
'Young boys who wanted to be in media left their turbans to join the industry, ' Mr Singh Jassi told The Times of India. 'It really hurt the community but nothing could be done. 'The Mr Singh International pageant's success has energised our body and souls to take it forward. Now many youths long to be part of it.'
Who's the man? You're the man: Although the competition was fierce, the participants were more than happy to show support for each other
Men of the year: Finalists give it all on stage as the competition's fitness round gets tough
Top boys: Finalists pose on stage holding flags and traditional kirpan swords and daggers
Crowned: Tejinder Singh, centre, was named the winner and posed with first runner-up Deepinder Singh and second runner-up Tarundeep Singh.
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