Breaking the ceiling….and how !
6th World
Body Building Championship & Physique Sports championship will be held from December 5th-9th,
2014 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, NESCO in Mumbai. The World Bodybuilding
Championship will witness more than 400 national and international athletes
from all over the world. This time around India will also witness Women Body Builders and Physique Athletes for
the very first time.
Women
bodybuilding is a fledgling sport compared to men's category in India. But
things are beginning to look bright for the aspiring women bodybuilders as more
opportunities are coming their way to showcase their talent. However, challenges
remain for these women. On the eve of the upcoming international
event the gritty women( some who made it and others who did not clear the
elimination) talk exclusively to WE about their trials and tribulations.
Thirty-one-year
old Leela Phad, from Kharegaon in Thane unfortunately did not clear the state
trialsi. A fitness freak who played kabaddi in college and then did
powerlifting for six years in state and national competitions she chose not
to pursue a comfortable job of a sales
tax inspector even after passing her Maharashtra Public Service Commission exam
as she did not want to shift focus from sports.
A
single parent, Natasha Pradhan (31) lives
with her parents and wishes to ensure a brighter future for her daughter, hence
is pursuing the sport competitively. Bodybuilding is not only a passion for her
but also a means to prove that “Women can be better than Men”. She is a trainer
by profession and is helped by her friend and personal trainer…. what inspired her more---being a
single parent wanting the best for her child or proving that she was as good as
a man?
“Both the factors are a driving force for me. I do not have
any idol from the field of body building. After being a mother I realized I
need to create my own identity. I saw it in my family and also in the society
how men are always given more importance than women. I always believed that
when boys are given opportunity, girls should also have equal opportunities. “
For
Steffi D'Souza, who comes from a well-to-do family, bodybuilding is like
carrying on her grandfather and former Mr
Bombay Tony D'Souza's legacy.Steffi is more into fitness physique where
a women doesn't need to be bulky or muscular but works towards a well-sculpted
and a good looking feminine physique. “ I feel proud of the fact that I belong to a family where
fitness is inherited in our roots.People do ask me if I feel pressured that I
have to carry my grandfather’s name , but for me its is a passion. Only a fit
woman can survive physically and mentally”.
A mother of three, Mamta Devi was born in Imphal, Manipur.
A model during her college days, Mamta Devi lived a normal life until a
falling out with her family forced her to leave their house. All happiness seemed to be missing
from her life until her marriage and birth of her first child. In 2003, she moved to Delhi to help her husband, Borun
Yumnam – who is a professional bodybuilder (having won Mr. India and Mr. Asia
titles in the past). In 2011 she started training for bodybuilding under the
guidance of her husband, soon transformed her physique and started
participating in international bodybuilding competitions. Mamta Devi Yumnam is the first and only Indian to win a
medal in the World body building championship, making the country proud in
international platform.
“
Initially my only aim was to get six packs but then I started enjoying
workouts. My husband has always inspired me to get into the field of
bodybuilding. Right from the beginning he has been supportive and has stood by
me. He takes care of my diet, workout schedule”.
.
“Being a mother of 3 young children and pursuing such a
demanding profession....
is very difficult but
since childhood it was my dream to
standout and be something really different among the crowd. I had tuned in my
work -out timing in such a way that I could give enough time to my children
when they are home.”
After children the life and the body of a woman changes
drastically and it has been difficult for me also. Personally I did not like
the changes that Isaw in my body. I could not wear the clothes that I loved and
desired. But as I mentioned earlier that I always had a aim for six- pack and
then that helped me to get back in shape.My husband was a great support and The
Indian Body Building Federation( IBBF) has been really supportive--they have
helped me financially and always stood by me”
Shweta
Rathore is a businesswoman, runs an NGO
for underprivileged children and has
been a fitness enthusiast since her childhood. Being a girl it was difficult
for her to convince her father. She had to sneak out from her home to attend
gym sessions during her school days. Shweta is however very happy with the fact
that today people who are passionate about fitness are getting a platform to
display their craft.
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The man
behind the event is Madhukar Talwalkar( Chairman, Organising Committee)—short
with a mop of thick grey hair and a glow on his face—he can often be seen
chatting up youngsters. Having finished second in the Mr Bombay contest way
back in 1958, he knows the ins and outs of the game. A textile engineer from
the Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI), his academic training
helped him design machines for his gym.
What is the main objective of the championship? “The motive has always been to promote
fitness all over India. I have practiced what I preach all my life. I consider
exercise as my prayer [puja] and I do it regularly with a lot of dedication.
Fitness is important for all and one should not neglect it.”
.
“I understand that today people are so
busy with their daily schedule that they do not pay attention to their
body. But they need to know that exercise is a stress-buster. When you
have good health, your blood flows well, brain works better, and you are confident
and happy. Lately
the trend of six and eight pack have emerged which I feel is another fashion
trend for the youngsters of our country, but at least this can be a motivating
factor for them”
“ With changing times, things have indeed changed and the
perception of the people is also gradually evolving. Initially bodybuilding was
considered to be a male dominated sport but now even women have started coming forward and
are taking a lead in this. It is not that we do not have female bodybuilders,
we actually have some really talented international athletes but the awareness
about the sport and people in this field is lacking. I have believed that women
can out- run men in any field and I am happy to see the overwhelming response
we have in terms of participation from women this year.