Each sport has its own stars and idols, which are equal to millions. In bodybuilding, you can recall the names of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Frank Zane, Lou Ferigno, Ronnie Coleman, Phil Heath and many others. Among them there is another person - Manohar Aich, whose biography will be a wonderful motivation for hundreds of thousands of people around the world. The great man who was awarded the title of “The oldest bodybuilder” died on June 5, 2016, when he was 104 (!) Years old. Plus, even at such a venerable age, he maintained excellent shape.
Birth and childhood
The famous Indian bodybuilder was born in the small village of Dhamti, which is located in Bangladesh. This joyful event took place on March 17, 1912. The family of the future athlete did not have a high position in society, so Manohar's childhood was rather difficult.
From an early age, the guy showed a love for power sports, among which weightlifting and freestyle wrestling were especially prominent . At age 12, Aych survived a black fever, which significantly undermined the health of the future bodybuilder. Nevertheless, thanks to regular physical exertion, he managed to regain strength, which inspired hope for the realization of dreams.
It was in those years that he drew attention to bodybuilding, which was still quite poorly developed not only in Asia, but throughout the world. The first training of Manohar consisted of push-ups, squats, leg lifts, all kinds of pull-ups and twists. Basic exercises became the foundation of physical work, developed the main muscle groups.
Bangladesh (as well as India) is not the richest country in the world, so there were no specially equipped halls in those days. For this reason, Manohar Aych worked, as a rule, with his own weight, only occasionally complicating exercises with improvised objects.
Youth and adulthood
Over time, the athlete began performing in the regional show "Body and Magic in Dhaka." Manohar showed impressive tricks, poses and other elements that fascinated millions of viewers throughout the state. A guy from Dhaka (the capital of Bangladesh) was very popular, which helped him in his career as a bodybuilder. Speaking about the aforementioned show, we can name a few of the most spectacular tricks performed by the hero of our article: bending steel bars with teeth, lying on sharp swords, bending spears with the tip resting on the neck and others. As you can see, quite dangerous tricks that require considerable skill on the part of the athlete. Already at the age of 20, fans called Aich "Pocket Hercules" because of his short stature of 150 cm.
Manohar Aich was married, the marriage with a loving wife gave the bodybuilder four children (2 sons and 2 daughters). Unfortunately, at that time Aicha was constantly harassed by poverty, which is very characteristic of the people of Bangladesh and India. The family barely made ends meet so that the children had the opportunity to go to school.
Manohar often interrupted by small work in order to earn some money, but did not give up his favorite sport. The biography of this man resembles the purposeful struggle for a place in the sun and worldwide recognition.
The first successes in bodybuilding
Acquaintance with the simulators intended for bodybuilding occurred at Aich in 1942, when he enlisted in the army. India in those years was a colony of Britain, so the service was held under the flags of the British colonial government.
No matter how strange and surprising it may sound, Manohar Aych acquired a wonderful form in prison, where he ended up as a participant in anti-British demonstrations.
Aich’s first successes were observed in 1950, when he became the winner of the Mr. Hercules contest. The efforts of the bodybuilder began to bear fruit, and the financial situation improved significantly.
This victory was a real inspiration for Aich, for this reason he decided to speak at the most prestigious championship in the world of bodybuilding in those years - “Mr. Universe”, which was then held in London. Exhausting workouts, adherence to the regime and proper nutrition did their job, in 1952 Manohar won the title, becoming a real idol for millions of followers.
Since then, many championships and competitions had the same name as the winner - Manohar Aych. “Mr. Universe”, unfortunately, did not succumb to him anymore, but he nevertheless made his name in the history of sports. The bodybuilder's further motivation was the material aspect, so that his wife and children did not need anything, lived a happy and joyful life.
Last years and death
Recent years have been marked by measured everyday life of the athlete, held in the circle of family and loved ones. He trained quite rarely, given his age, it is not difficult to guess that it was, rather, out of habit, in order to maintain health and devote time to his beloved hobby. He also helped the business of one of his sons, who opened his own fitness center.
The legendary Indian bodybuilder Manohar Aych passed away, as mentioned above, on June 5, 2016, at the 105th year of his life. According to the son of the athlete, the cause of death was health problems.
In an interview, bodybuilder Manohar Aich said that he had absolutely no regrets in his life, only one dream failed to come true: he did not meet Arnold Schwarzenegger, whom he always wanted to meet.
Nutrition and bad habits
According to the athlete, he never experienced a weakness for alcohol, he drank extremely rarely. Moreover, in most cases, it came down to one glass of champagne or wine on holidays. As for smoking, Aich didn’t have any problems with this, because he never smoked.
But nutrition, according to the bodybuilder, has become one of the elements of what gave him such a long and eventful life. Manohar always tried to eat right, using fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, lean meats and lentils in his diet.
Finally
Manohar Aich is a truly cult person; he left a noticeable mark in the history of bodybuilding. His life path was full of difficulties, but the athlete was able to overcome them and reach extraordinary heights.