Bodybuilding, in recent times, has become a prominent sport that has launched many prominent names that bring recognition to our country. Still, it is rarely seen at the same level as other sports like cricket, football, hockey, etc. However, fret not, as we are here to change the overall narrative and bring you some of the more prominent names in the bodybuilding scene of India. Here are the top Indian bodybuilders you can look up to for your gym motivation.
10 Indian Bodybuilders that you should know about:
Bodybuilding is one of the most physically taxing sports out there. It requires a super-human level of dedication, and only after this can an individual attain recognition.
In recent years, India has produced some of the most iconic athletes in the bodybuilding competition. Answering your queries, here are the top ten ‘Indian bodybuilder name with photo’ for you to check out.
1. Suhas Khamkar:
This Indian bodybuilder comes from a long line of bodybuilders. A native of Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Khamkar grew up drawing inspiration from local wrestlers and bodybuilders.
Later on, Arnold Schwarzenegger played a key role in pushing Khamkar toward becoming a professional bodybuilder. Originally an employee of Central Railways, he was one of the first bodybuilders to win the title of Mr. Asia back the year 2010.
Apart from that, he also held the titles of Mr. Olympia Amateur, Mr. Maharashtra, and Mr. India. While scouring the internet for ‘Indian best bodybuilder,’ Suhas Khamkar’s name would certainly come up on the top.
2. Murli Kumar:
Originally a sailor in the Indian Navy, Kumar might not have thought that one day he would be the only Indian bodybuilder in Mr. Olympia. According to sources, Kumar started lifting at the late age of 25.
Nonetheless, today, he is seen as one of the big names in the industry. Apart from international accolades, Kumar also won two consecutive Mr. India titles in 2013 and 2014. No wonder some of the industry experts deemed him the ‘best Indian bodybuilder’ of his time.
3. Sangram Chougule:
Another Indian bodybuilder is hailing from Maharashtra and is making waves in the whole scene. Not many people know, but Sangram Chougule originally studied to become an electrical engineer.
However, destiny had other plans, and now Chougule is synonymous with the Indian bodybuilding scene.
Sangram’s accolades include several domestic and national titles, along with the Mr. Universe title in the 85 Kg category in the World Bodybuilding Championship that was held in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2012.
4. Shweta Rathore:
Sources claim that Rathore never actually planned to be a bodybuilder but did her biochemical engineering at Manipur University. Later on, she joined a corporation and worked in the marketing sector.
Even though she showed an affinity towards fitness from a young age, it was not until her brother suggested that she consider being a professional bodybuilder.
Fast forward to the present, this Indian female bodybuilder was the holder of titles like bronze at the 6th WBPF World Championship in 2014 and three consecutive Miss India titles, which are some of the accolades she has earned through her hard work.
Shweta Rathore is the first Indian bodybuilder to become the brand ambassador for Muscletech.
5. Arambam Boby:
Winner of 12 Mr. India titles, 8 Mr. World titles, 5 Mr. Asia titles, and 3 Mr. South Asia titles throughout his career, this Indian bodybuilder is an industry giant.
Hailing from the hilly state of Manipur, Boby is one of the revered figures in the sport. He usually competes in the 75 kg weight bracket. This 48-year-old beast is still going strong and shows us how age is just a number.
6. Pradipkumar Singh:
A beacon of inspiration, this HIV survivor has one of the unique stories in this ‘Indian bodybuilder list.’ Born in a village near Imphal, this Indian bodybuilder has to fight a lot of social stigma and discrimination.
Pradipkumar once gave an interview, recalling, “I became physically very weak. It was more of a psychological attack on me. The worst was seeing my closest friends drifting away from me. People would ridicule and mock me, passersby would address me as ‘that HIV man‘.”
Now, this survivor has won titles like Mr. Manipur, Mr. India, and Mr. South Asia and has contributed to redefining what it means to be a person affected by HIV.
7. Yasmeen Chauhan:
Yasmeen Chauhan is popularly known as the ‘Iron Lady’ thanks to her ripped physique. Hailing from Gurgaon, Haryana, Yasmeen had to face a lot of backlash because of the oppressive society she grew up in. However, they were not enough to break her spirits.
Additionally, Yasmeen’s accolades include two gold medals at the IBBFF Miss India Competition and a bronze medal in IFBB’s 50th Asian Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships in Beijing.
Currently, this Indian bodybuilder owns a gym in her hometown and helps people achieve their bodybuilding dreams.
8. Kiran Dembla:
From a housewife to a fitness coach to the stars. This woman has come a long way. She is a certified personal aerobics and fitness trainer who has other ventures like being a DJ, a photographer, and a brand ambassador for Google.
This shows a woman with an iron will is a force to reckon with. Currently, she is 49 years old and still manages to touch the lives of people through her fitness and bodybuilding.
9. Varinder Singh Ghuman:
Known for his pure vegetarian diet, this Indian bodybuilder is a prominent figure in the world of bodybuilding.
Ghuman holds the title of Mr. India 2009, as well as 2nd place in Mr. Asia. Also, he is the only Indian bodybuilder on the list who has been roped in by Arnold Schwarzenegger to promote his health products in Asia. A dream come true for any bodybuilder.
10. Ankita Singh:
Hailing from the tech city of Bangalore, this female bodybuilder had to grind a considerable amount in the initial years. Currently, she holds the title of one of the top five finalists in the 2015 Jerrai Classics.
Sources claim that her relationship with fitness started due to a bad break-up. Seeking solace in the irons, she eventually became one of the prominent names in the bodybuilding community.
Honorable Mentions
India Is full of athletes who have proved they are a class apart. At the same time, some get their due recognition. Others dwindle into oblivion. This honorable mention section is all about that. I have already named some of the best and most iconic bodybuilders of all time. However, a messy list of 10 athletes is never enough to appreciate a country entire of 1.42 billion people.
Here are some more Indian bodybuilders who have proven themselves to be some of the best but did not make it on our list of some of the best and most iconic Indian bodybuilders of all time.
1. Premchand Degra
Degra is not just a name. In fact, he is one of the most accomplished bodybuilders of all time. He has won the Mr. Olympia contest nine times throughout his career and is one of the most respected bodybuilders of all time.
Degra hails from the state of Punjab and has won countless state, national, and international accolades. Degra was among the first Indian bodybuilders to earn an IFBB Pro card. As a result, he is one of the trendsetters of his time. Degra was also awarded Arjuna Award for his exceptional contribution to the sport.
2. Bhuwan Chauhan
Nowadays, most Indian bodybuilders have earned their IFBB pro card. However, only a handful of athletes have actually made waves and have competed in a professional match. Bhuwan Chauhan is one of those rare few athletes who managed to complete this mammoth task. As a result, he deserved a well-eared spot on our list.
As of now, Chauhan has won accolades like 5+ IFBB Pro wins. This is higher than most other athletes on this list. As a result, he is often lauded as one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time. However, he is yet to take part in any Mr. Olympia contest.
3. Mukesh Gehlot
Mukesh Gehlot was a trailblazer of his time. He managed to win the Mr. India championship four times in a row. As a result, he is often considered to be one of the greatest bodybuilders in Indian history.
Apart from bodybuilding, Gehlot is also an accomplished powerlifter. He has singlehandedly won nine different powerlifting meets in places like the USA, Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands, and Germany. Due to such accomplished career, Gehlot is often lauded as ‘Guruji’, which stands for ‘teacher’. He is easily one of the most accomplished bodybuilders of all time.
4. Rajendran Mani
Rajendra Mani is not just a bodybuilder. He is also an Indian Air Force veteran. He is often called the Indian Hulk due to his imposing size and physique. For years, Mani enjoyed the position of being the undisputed inter-service champion.
Mani is easily one of the most celebrated and decorated bodybuilders of all time. He took a voluntary retirement from the force back in 2010 and went on to compete and win the 2013 Mr World Title. However, he failed to defend his title the following year due to financial hardships. Still, he is one of the greatest Indian bodybuilders of all time.
Final Thoughts:
So, bodybuilding is all about consistency. Moreover, it can take months or up to a year before any results are visible. Also, each and every Indian bodybuilder on this list had to face a lot of backlash and hurdles to reach the stage they are in today.
Therefore, it is time we give them the respect that they deserve and treat them as actual athletes. Signing off!
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