Chennai: S Bhaskaran (41), bodybuiler and a resident of MGR Nagar in K K Nagar will receive Arjuna Award, which is awarded to recognise outstanding achievement in sports, by the government of India. He is practicing the sport for more than 20 years.
In 2018, he won gold in 10th Mr World championship held in Thailand and in the same year he participated in 52nd Mr Asia championship held in Pune and won the gold medal, both under 65 kg category. He also won the Mr Asia championship in Pune under 60 kg category again in 2018.
The road to Arjuna Award is not easy as it sounds for Bhaskaran who suffered due to poverty in his childhood days. Native of Ettaiyapuram in Thoothukudi district, his family shifted to KK Nagar when he was 6 years old.
Speaking to News Today, Bhaskaran said, “I am not good at studies. When I failed in 9th standard, I didn’t care much because of my interest in sports. To support my family and my sport, initially I started working as a carpenter in the neighborhood.”
“When I won Mr Chennai in 1999 and subsequently Mr South India competition in 2000, I got a job in railways in Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai under sports quota,” added Bhaskaran.
Bhaskaran said that this is the first time in last 20 years that someone from Tamilnadu in Indian Railways body building team has been selected for the Arjuna Award.
“The sport requires hardwork and discipline. Any youngster who takes up bodybuilding should consistently maintain hard work to achieve in this sport. With 9th standard education, I came to achieve this feat even after the financial hardship so anyone with sincere hard work can do this,” said Bhaskaran.
He added that State government should promote this sport which would help many financially deprived youngsters to achieve in bodybuilding.
Initially, he was trained under master Rajendran in the neighbourhood and when he got into railways, he was trained under Arasu, who is also an ICF employee and also coach of Indian Railways bodybuilding team.
He added that railways and central government supported him financially. After he was named in Arjuna Award list, Tamilnadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has congratulated him.
“I am happy after hearing that you have been named in Arjuna Award list. You bring pride to the entire state by winning world championships. I wish you a great success in your future endeavors on behalf of the State,” said the Chief Minister in a release.
Bhaskaran is running a gym in MGR Nagar and training the youngsters in the art of bodybuilding. He can be reached at 9841876738.