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El Mr Universo indio de 1952 Manohar Aich cumple 100años!!!

Una vida que le ha hecho pasar desde luchar contra la pobreza, una temporada en prisión y un amago de infarto pero que le ha convertido en ser el centenario más en forma de la historia «no tomes la vida demasiado en serio» es su consejo.

El pequeño Manohar que mide tan solo 1,46 metros de altura ha traspasado muchas metas para llegar a ser lo que fue en culturismo.

Llamado el «Hercules de bolsillo» este antiguo Mr Universo posa para nuestras cámaras poco después de cumplir 100 años en un gimnasio de Kolkata, India

. Nacido en la pequeña ciudad de Comilla en estado indio de Bengala, siempre le atrajo el ejercicio y el culturismo.  Cuando era un estudiantee vio un grupo de luchadores en acción.

Después de dejar los estudios en 1942, él se unió a la RAF (Royal air force) en la India (por entonces una colonia de Gran Bretaña) y fue allí donde aprendió  y empezó su carrera como culturista de competición.

Animado por un oficial inglés llamado Reub Martin, quien le introdujo al entrenamiento con pesas, Aich consiguió adquirir más nivel estando en la fuerza aérea.

Algunos años más tarde, sin emabrgao, entró en prisión cuando protestó contra la ocupación británica, en la época de la independencia india.

‘Así fue estuve en la cárcel y ahí aún me preparé más duro con el entrenamiento con pesas.  Esto me ayudó a prepararme para el campeonato del mundo.

En la cárcel solía practicar mi propio método, sin casi equipamiento, a veces durante 12 horas al día.’

Las autoridades de la prisión quedaron tan impresionadas con la perseverancia y la voluntad de e Aich  que le proporcionaron una dieta especial para ayudarle a conseguir su meta, fue liberado en 1947, fecha de la independencia india.

Not taking life too seriously: Former Mr Universe Manohar Aich says the key to a long life is not letting stress get the better of you

Dogged by poverty, Aich and his wife struggled to put their four children through school. There was little cash to indulge his passion for body building, but Aich took up odd jobs to earn a little on the side.

His 1950 win of a ‘Mr. Hercules’ contest spurred him to set his sights on the Mr. Universe tournament in London and a year on Aich came second in the contest.

He decided to stay in London to prepare for another shot at the title and to India with the crown after bagging the title in 1952.

What followed were a host of awards, including top positions in Asian Body building Championships, and his more popular title of ‘Pocket Hercules’ due to his small frame.

Six decades later, Aich still heads to the gym to help his sons run a fitness center and spends his days guiding juvenile hopefuls to reach the heights of body building that he did.

A minor stroke last year has robbed him of the ability to lift weights, but he keeps a watchful eye on young body builders training in his gym.

Happy birthday: The pocket Hercules surrounded by family as he celebrates his landmark 100th birthday in India

‘I like the incredible stunts he does’: Manohar Aich says that one of his biggest regrets is not having met fellow former muscle man Arnold Schwarzenegger

Although his two sons did not take up body building, Aich says his mentoring has earned him many rewards. It has produced India’s eight-time national champion, Satya Paul, while another protege, Premchand Dogra, scooped the Mr. Universe title in 1988.

MR UNIVERSE: THE CHAMPIONS YOU DON’T WANT TO MESS WITH

The Universe Championships are an annual bodybuilding event organised by the National Amateur Bodybuilders Association (NABBA).

First held in 1948, the contest was initially only for amateur male bodybuilders – but a separate contest for professionals was added in the year Manohar Aich scooped the amateur prize in 1952.

The athletes are judged on their symmetry, proportions and the size and clarity of each muscle group.

The most famous victor of the competition is actor and former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Arnie claimed the amateur title in 1967 before claiming the professional prize three years running in 1968, 1969 and 1970.

Despite tough times and his tireless efforts to make it as a muscle man Aich says his ability to take his troubles lightly and remain happy are the secrets to his long life.

That, and a simple diet of milk, fruits and vegetables along with rice, lentils and fish have kept him healthy.

He does not smoke and has never touched alcohol, he said.

‘I never allow any sort of tension to grip me. I had to struggle to earn money since my young days, but whatever the situation, I remained happy’

Sitting in a room decorated with posters and pictures of his many bodybuilding triumphs today he said that he did have one regret however.

That he never had a chance to meet his more famous counterpart, and fellow Mr Universe winner, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

But Aich says he’s seen many of Schwarzenegger’s action films.

‘I like the incredible stunts he does in the movies,’ he added

His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren gathered yesterday in the eastern city of Kolkata to celebrate his birthday the day before.

Hindu priests chanted prayers while a feast was laid out to honour him.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2116747/Indias-Mr-Universe-turns-100-Manohar-Aich-aka-Pocket-Hercules-celebrates-100th-birthday.html#ixzz1pYlBqswP