This Asian Games, bodybuilding has finally graduated from the small regional contests to the glamorous Asian Games sporting stage.

Bodybuilders from various countries have flexed their muscles to book for themselves one of the six hot spots in the final visual feast on Day 5 and 6.

While dieting females aiming for twig figures will balk at the sight of glistening, bulging muscles, the same sight of toned Herculean limbs and torsos will impress judges.

Eight gold medals are up for grabs in the sport's virgin round at the Asiad.

And the bodybuilders will go all out in their trunks to get one.

The International Federation of Bodybuilding (IFBB) rulebook states: 'The judge ... is looking for muscular bulk, balanced development, muscular density and definition.'

Hence the men display themselves together so that the judge can compare muscle shape, density and definition.

In a game of musical chairs, the men are whittled down to seven contestants in the pre-judging and than a final six for the medal round.

To make the cut for the finals, the bodybuilders have to make a series of seven mandatory poses.

But once they reach the finals, the participants come up one by one to perform a one-minute free posing routine, accompanied by a carefully selected piece of music.

Following that, the group posing resumes as they go through the mandatory poses.

Finally, spectators get what they have been waiting for -- not the results, but a one-minute posedown, which functions as a sort of dramatic tribute to the fans but has no effect on the results.

At the end of the day, three men will walk away with the covetted round discs around their stout necks.

A bodybuilder does not have to be fast or accurate but he has to have "athletic bearing and correct anatomical structure of the body" -- that means, broad shoulders, high chest, correct spinal curves, straight legs, you get the point.

Everything about a bodybuilder must look good. From clear, perfect skin -- so scars, acne and tattoos are a no-no -- to well-shaped feet and toes, nothing is left out in a bodybuilder's regimen.

To this end, bodybuilders are dedicated to a regimen of exercises that keeps them in tip-top shape.

Diet is also important as one's weight factors in the competition. Asian Games -60kg Silver medallist Ibrahim Sihat lost 10kg in eight months to qualify for the Fly Weight category.

Food is thus strictly selected and prepared in the correct quantities for protein and low amounts of fat.

Well equipped with the perfect body, the ardent bodybuilder now needs just a splash of tanning lotion for maximum results on stage.

The country was the first in Asia to organise an International Federation of Bodybuilding "Mr Universe" contest in 1983.

In addition, the Singapore Bodybuilding Federation created and organised new regional championships such as the Asian Pro-Am (Professional and Amateur).

Singapore has sent eight confident bodybuilders to Busan.

However, the Singapore team has met with fierce competition from other countries and it will be up to them to prove themselves in the final crunch over the two days.

And already two have shown that they are medal-worthy.