The Covid-19 pandemic has triggered an urge in people to be in shape and have a healthy body. The observation came from a three-time Mr Asia Bodybuilding, whose latest crowning was in 2019.
The fact that Bharat Shreshtha, the champion, was speaking at a bodybuilding event that was happening for the first time corroborated his view. The Purbanchal Bodybuilding and Men's Physique Championship was being organised on the last day of the year at Lake Town Block B park.
“People who are into bodybuilding have higher immunity due to their restricted diet and regimen. So they mostly did not suffer much even if they contracted the virus. Perhaps that is why when the gyms were allowed to reopen, not only did the regular clients return, but there was a significant number of new ones too,” said the Asansol resident, who gives training at several gyms.
Long legacy
In recent years, bodybuilding as a profession has gained popularity in India, the event organisers pointed out. However, in Bengal, it has always been a part of local culture. Manohar Aich, India’s Pocket Hercules and the second Indian Mr. Universe (after Monotosh Roy) who died in 2016 at the age of 104, is one of the best examples of the physical culture that once existed in this region. Sushobhan Bhaduree, working secretary of Lake Town Aikyatan, who took the initiative to put the event together, said: “Many bodybuilders like Aich gained recognition from Bengal, but nowadays there are very few platforms for performers. When we got a proposal from the West Bengal State Bodybuilding Fitness Federation to arrange a championship like this, we took up the challenge. I had never witnessed such competitions in my life. But my friends, who were part of the federation, helped us manage everything.”
Bharat Shreshtha, a former Mr Asia Bodybuilding, being welcomed on stage at the bodybuilding event in Lake Town
It was the first championship being held in the area, and the response was “overwhelming”. “So many people from the locality turned up that it was becoming hard to control the crowd towards the end,” said Bhaduree, adding that he would host such events in future as well.
Eminent personalities from the field of bodybuilding were present as judges, like Prosenjit Das, Mr India 2017, and Ranajeet Dey, a bronze medallist at Mr Asia 2019, and Shreshtha. Local MLA and minister of fire and emergency services Sujit Bose was also present. Shrestha shared a tip with those aspiring for a body to flaunt: “One of the commonest mistakes is looking for quick fixes to look bulky or trying to bulk up quickly. It's important to be disciplined and stay motivated,” he said.
The championship was organised under the authority of the North 24-Parganas District Physical Culture Association and managed in association with the federation.
There were four categories for men's body building — 55kg, 60kg, 70kg and 70-plus kg — along with two men's physique categories — under 5’7” and above 5’7”. The winner of men's physique was Arpan Banik, the Best Poser was Babushona Mondal while the bodybuilding Champion of Champions was Gautam Mallick.
