Like many teenagers from Chennai, R Manikandan who is a big time fitness enthusiast got into engineering immediately after completing school. But, unlike the troop, he made a jaw dropping decision to drop out of college to pursue his passion and love for professional bodybuilding. It was certainly a risk and which definitely paid off as he was crowned with Mr World title.
Here's a backdrop of his interesting life as he juggled in the journey from being an engineering dropout to being crowned Mr World.
• When and where were you born?
Born on July, 29 1991 and in Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• What is your earliest memory connected with sports?
My earliest memory connected to Sports was when I played Kabaddi in school sports day event during my 8th grade
• Who was the most influential person to you as a child?
Dwayne The Rock Johnson
• What was your favorite game?
Kabaddi and Cricket
• Did you have any nicknames?
No
• What were you most afraid of as a child?
Examinations and Parent teacher's meeting
• Do you recall any interesting stories related to you by any of your elder relatives that you have never forgotten and you think are worth telling to this audience?
None
• What was your favorite subject in school?
Mathematics
• How did you balanced Sports and Studies?
I listened to my lectures carefully so I only needed the time to prepare before exams, which gave me plenty of time to train after school everyday
• What did you like most about school?
Getting to spend time with my friends
• What did you like least about school?
Not having enough PT sessions
• What sort of after school/out of school clubs did you attend? (in terms of sports)
I was associated with local district body building club
• Was there someone you really looked up to when you were a teenager? (in terms of sports)
Yes, my mentor Mr. Senthil Kumaran who was Mr. Asia back then
• What was your favorite music/band in high school?
A.R.Rahman
• What would people you know find surprising about you as a teen?
My Consistency and dedication and hard work I put in
• Did you ever think of doing a 9 to 5 job?
Never
• What would be your ideal job if you ever had to do?
I never second guessed about my job. I wanted it to be anything related to sports
• Describe about your sporting career
I started my career at a very young age which gave me little advantage in this field, yet I had to face a lot of struggles to get recognition
• Your best day in life (In terms of sports)
Winning 2017 World Championship in Body building and raising the Indian flag
• What is your definition of happiness?
The time I get to spend with children
P.S.: and the time while training as well
• What is your most memorable Sporting experience?
Winning 2017 World Championship in Body building and raising the Indian flag
• What is the funniest thing that's ever happened to you?
When I went to ladies washroom by mistake
• What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Opening my own fitness center and winning 2017 and 2018 World Championship in Body building
• How do you want people to remember you?
Best Ambassador for the sport of body building
• Whose biggest fan are you? (in your sport and outside)
In my sport “ Phil Heath
Sports in general- Roger Federer
• What do you like to do in your spare time?
Watch movies
• If you could possess one super-human power, what would it be?
Be Invisible whenever you demand
• What is your greatest fear?
Fear of not able to give 100 percent in my training
• What is your greatest hope?
If not today, there is always a better tomorrow and it is in my hands
• What are the main lessons you've learned in life?
To never ever give up