CHENNAI: It took 10 years of hard work and dedication for head constable A Purushothaman to achieve his dream — become ‘Mr Tamil Nadu’.
The 39-year-old policeman had been a regular winner at bodybuilding competitions till 2008, but an injury restricted his training regime and Purushothaman was asked to rest. Although his gym routine continued, he took a break from the uncompromising routine associated with bodybuilders.
But10 years later, when Purushothaman took to the stage the old habit of winning was back. Since January he prepared himself by appearing in smaller competitions and then bagged the ‘Mr Chennai’ title in May. He bagged the cherished ‘Mr Tamil Nadu’ title this month after winning in the 80kg category of the overall state championship. Now, Purushothaman has set sights on the national stage where he will compete in October.
“I work out at a gym in
Kodambakkam for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening after my shift,” said Purushothaman. He said only people who are passionate about their physique can take up bodybuilding. “It requires lot of sacrifice when it comes to food habits,” he said. “Though I was once fond of eating
rice, I have limited this and take oats, proteins and wheat,” he said.
A resident of
Saidapet, Purushothaman is a head constable with the Adyar traffic enforcement wing and has fans within the department for his gigantic appearance. He began concentrating on bodybuilding in 1997 and was trained by the famous bodybuilder Rajendra Mani.
Purushothaman said he had wanted to join the Southern Railways in the sports quota but that did not happen. In 2002, he joined the police department and started working in the law and order wing where he solved four cases.
“Boxing and bodybuilding are not included in the list of competitions. If this is included, I will bring laurels to the department,” said Purushothaman.
A Purushothaman is earning accolades for his endeavour to stay fit irrespective of his work schedule
