CHENNAI: While many of us find going to gym every morning a chore, there are several sportsmen in the city who have been living there for the past three months, training for the Mr.South India bodybuilding tournament that took place on Sunday.
Though we’ve always seen bodybuilders in awe, fascinated by their massive, rippling muscles, how many of us really know about the sport? “Many don’t even know what bodybuilding means,” says Mohan Kumar, president, National Amateur Body-Builders’ Association (NABBA)/World Fitness Federation (WFF) Chennai. “Bodybuilding is the base for any sport — any sports like tennis, boxing, football. You need a strong body, for which they need to train at the gym in addition to field-practice,” he asserts.
In the field since 1991, Mohan trained as a body-builder for four years, but the chances and opportunities at that time were very less for him to make it big. “I come from a poor family and it was difficult to break through,” he opines.
Holding on to his passion for the sport, he decided to give other upcoming bodybuilders the chance he never got, and organised tournaments independently, before becoming the president of NABBA/WFF Chennai three months ago. “In Chennai, the sport of bodybuilding is not yet well-spread with only around 500 or so bodybuilders, whereas the scene is good in cities like Mumbai, and Bengaluru,” he quips.
Ranjith, a novice bodybuilder working as assitant manager at SLAM fitness and lifestyle studio, comments that many people find it hard to break in to sport because of cost involved, though he says it is possible to calculate a budget.
Bodybuilding as a sport is unlike any other in the world involving immense levels of discipline, hard work, diet and intensive training. “There’s a lot of preparation involved before a tournament, that starts three months in advance. You can’t practice it for a few days before the show, like other sports,” he clarifies.
It involves a combination of controlled high-protein and low-carb diet and rigorous physical workouts, intensifying as the tournament draws closer. “People don’t go out anywhere for the three months. Their life revolves around their home and gym,” he says, emphasising that discipline is of utmost importance in the game. “You can’t drink, smoke, party, go out for night-shows, see your girlfriend — nothing! If you don’t have the dedication and discipline, you can’t make it.”
Reaffirming Mohan’s statements, Jammy, a bodybuilder since 2006 calls this the ‘toughest sport’. Managing his full-time job as a portfolio analyst in the BNP banker, he won a silver medal in the Mr.Chennai tournament earlier this year. “My parents have been very supportive. My mother knows my schedule more thoroughly than me!” he says, also thanking his office, BNP who have set up a gym in the office for him to train others too.
Mr.South India was conducted on a grand scale with a total of seven major categories, each with subcategories. The winners from Mr.South India will get to participate in Mr.India championship in Haryana from Dec 17-18. “From then on, there is an opportunity to even go to Mr. World championship in 2018, as announced by US President Donald Trump!” Mohan says.
Wonder woman
Anuradha is Chennai’s first women body-builder. She got into it last year. and 15 months later, she won gold in the NABBA Asia tournament. “It’s not easy for a woman. We need to develop more muscle, eat a lot, lift around 20 kg weights! And there’s added societal pressure! But I believe in the saying, ‘When men can do things, women can do wonders!” she laughs, adding that she aims to go the Nationals and Olympics next!
Mr.South India categories
Bodybuilding (8 categories), Men’s Physique (3 categories), Men’s sports model (3 categories), Masters category, Novice category, Women’s Fitness,
Physically Challenged
Strict regimen
For the first 2-and-a-half months
Muscle-mass training with heavy weights and loads (around one-hour every day). Diet includes high-protein (70-80%) and fibre foods like 1 kg chicken, fish, (Vegetarians can replace chicken with paneer and soya)
15 days before show
Cutting-training (train to bring out the cuts in the muscles) in addition to mass-training — 2 hours at the gym (anaerobic training), and 2 hours walking (aerobic) every morning and evening. Diet includes only vegetables and supplements with no carbs.
Three days before show
Only some proteins and vegetables
The night before the show
Eat heavy carbs so that body is boosted well, and listens to the mind.
For details on Bodybuilding, contact Mohan, president, NABBA/WFF at 9841284838. To contact Ranjith of SLAM gym, call: 45110029