Bodybuilder Baskaran speaks for gen-next aspirants

The Arjuna Awardee who recently received the award from the President of India, shares the scope for the sport in the coming days. “I entered bodybuilding in 1999. Back then, we didn’t have all the equipment that is available today. Additionally, bodybuilding was taken up by people from lower-income households,” said the 41-year-old. Today the situation has changed across the city with more people taking up fitness-centric lifestyles across economic class, he added.

He also stressed that many Tamil Nadu-based bodybuilders have issues with their calf muscles while participating in competitions, which can only be fixed by procuring advanced gym machineries for the bodybuilders in Tamil Nadu.

As a technician with the ICF, Baskaran said that his job offers him many benefits that allow him to continue his daily training. “This is an occupation that even those uninterested in studies can take up. I’ve only studied until Class 9. As a government employee, you have a stable job, and benefits and leave to prepare for the next tournament,” said the winner of Mr Asia in 2018-2019.

Stating that passion is the key for success in the sport, he said, “I did this out of passion. Bodybuilders must train regularly every day. Many youngsters are not willing to take up bodybuilding, despite their interest in fitness, because of the required commitment and dedication. However, I am happy to say that the number of participants in bodybuilding competitions has increased over the years.”

More youngsters would take up the sport should there be more sponsors, he said. “We need to manage our diets very carefully. Protein is very important but also very expensive. We also take many supplements and vitamins to ensure we do not tire from our daily training. The monthly cost for our diet alone comes upto Rs 35,000. Younger bodybuilders need sponsors to be able to sustain,” he said.