Manhunt International Nepal 2026 Officially Starts in Kathmandu.
The 15th edition of Manhunt International Nepal 2026 has officially kicked off with the completion of its sash ceremony, marking the formal introduction of contestants and the beginning of an intensive grooming and training phase.
Organized by the Group of Event Entertainers (G.E.E.), the pageant continues its long-standing tradition of promoting male modeling and personality development in Nepal. The ceremony and initial activities were held at The Square Hotel, where participants were presented with their official sashes.
This year’s edition features fourteen promising contestants representing diverse backgrounds and aspirations. The participants include Prashanna Rai, Sameer Rahman, Ritik Giri, Bijay Bikram Thapa, Chanchal Shahi, Pratyush Adhikari, Aakash Lohani, Pranav Kattel, Sinji Maharjan, Gagan Rokaya, Diwas Magar, Shashank Shahi, Aashish Karki, and Siddhartha Sanjyal. Over the coming weeks, these contestants will undergo a comprehensive grooming program designed to refine their professional presence, confidence, and communication skills.
The training phase incorporates mentorship and guidance from professionals across multiple fields, ensuring that contestants receive holistic preparation. The pageant choreography will be directed by senior choreographer Anup Saksena.
In addition, stage presentation and communication mentoring will be conducted by fashion choreographer and media personality Rojin Shakya, providing participants with essential insights into stage confidence and professional presentation.
The journey will culminate in the grand finale scheduled for 16 May 2026, where contestants will compete across various competitive segments to determine the new titleholder who will represent Nepal internationally. Through a series of evaluations, the judges will assess the contestants’ overall personality, confidence, communication ability, physical fitness, and stage performance before selecting the winner of the prestigious national title.
Over the years, Manhunt International Nepal has produced several distinguished titleholders who have made significant contributions to the modeling and entertainment industries. Previous winners include Suhrid Jyoti (2005), Chandan Agrawal (2007), Rikesh Raj Shrestha (2008), Kanij Koirala (2010), Nirjan Thapa (2011), Sanish Shakya (2012), Anoop Bikram Shahi (2013), Samim Khan (2016), Dhruba Budhathoki (2018), Bibesh Shrestha (2020), Bikalp Raj Shrestha (2022), Abhinav Thapa (2024), and Swastik Dhakal (2025). These individuals have represented Nepal at the global Manhunt International, strengthening the country’s presence in the international male modeling arena.
Nepal has also achieved notable recognition on the international stage through the success of its representatives. In 2007, Chandan Agrawal earned the Mr. Personality Award, followed by Rikesh Raj Shrestha winning the Mr. Friendship Award in 2008. Later, Bibesh Shrestha secured the Mr. Personality Award in 2020, while Bikalp Raj Shrestha achieved a remarkable milestone by placing among the Top 16 semifinalists in 2022.
Beyond the competition itself, Manhunt International Nepal serves as a significant platform for promoting male fashion, modeling, fitness, and personality development within the country.
Contestants are evaluated through various rounds including runway presentation, fitness assessment, personal interviews, talent demonstrations, and personality appraisal. Through this structured grooming process and professional mentorship, the pageant continues to nurture emerging talents while preparing them to represent Nepal confidently on both national and international stages.
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