This past December, Indian power lifter Khundrakpam Pradipkumar Singh, 37, nabbed one of the country’s top bodybuilding titles: Senior Mr. Manipur. One of his fiercest opponents: HIV.

Singh began bodybuilding in 2003—three years after his diagnosis. He won a silver medal in 2006, but he did not announce his HIV status to the world until becoming Senior Mr. Manipur. He disclosed to inspire others, regardless of serostatus—then announced his aspirations for national competitions. As POZ went to press, Singh was training for the Mr. India contest, on March 20. He told The Indian Express, “The virus and I are challenging each other.”