Women bodybuilders

Breaking the ceiling….and how !

6^th World Body Building Championship & Physique Sports  championship will be held from December 5^th-9^th, 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”.

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“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.”

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“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.