"Lazer Mazher" Hamlaani is ripped year round! The 5'8", 175 lbs., Musclemania India Physique Champion was spotted as being one of the best new talent in the show last season. "I've been lifting for years," Maher says. "But, I never wanted to compete in those drug shows. So, when MM India was announced, I signed up and started training for the show." Mazher is an event logistic manager and trains in Mumbai. Currently, he is training for MM Universe in June.
Musclemania® India Physique Finalist Farzan Wasti is in superb form as he trains for the MM India Tour this season. He says, “There are things we do in life that keep us sharp, on the edge, where some simply need to be. This is what it is for me. I call it the cloak of invincibility!” Farzan has been training for nearly 7 years but did not decide to compete until last season when MM India was introduced. “Finally, a natural show in India,” Farzan shouts.
Musclemania® India star Vivek Rock says he’s been hitting the gym every day since the show in December. “It was my first time competing and was such a charge!,” he attests. The 5’8″, 175 lbs., 23 year old training continues, “I never wanted to compete because of the drugs in bodybuilding, so it was so exciting when I learn that MM was coming to India. I went the Ulisses and Simeon seminar in Bangalore in May and learned so much.” Vivek is training for MM India this season and says he will bring a whole new physique to the stage.
Musclemania® India Physique Mazher Hamlanni has quickly become one of the country’s most popular natural athletes. The 5’8″, 175 lbs., event management coordinator is training now for MM Universe in June. “It was my first show and I want to have a new looking physique for the next time,” Mazher explains. “I never really ate and trained for muscle grow. So, this is a new experience for me.”
Musclemania® India bodybuilder Vivek Rock competed for the first time last month. “I have been training for 8 years, but just never competed,” Vivek says. “I have been natural all my life, so when I heard MM was coming to India, I started training for it.” The 5’8″, 165 lbs., 23 year old personal trainer now wants to compete again. “It was really something great! A super experience to be on stage, especially with other natural guys. I never wanted to go against the steroid boys, so this was everything I wanted and more. I will be back for more this year.”
Raghu Ramappa is a popular figure in the Bangalore, India film industry and won Musclemania® India LW Championships last weekend. He says “I was always a hardcore enthusiast of bodybuilding. My Dad was a competitive bodybuilder and I wanted to follow his footsteps. I was in the industry and competing for four years, until 2006. But being natural and trying to win shows where ‘enhanced’ freaks competer is was close to impossible. I was distraught and gave up on competing. But when I recently learned about MM and natural bodybuilding was coming to India, it gave me hope. I’ve been training harder than ever to get back into prime form. And thanks to my Dad, my biggest inspiration, who at 62 years recently won a local competition, I’ve managed to win my first show after 8 years! My Dad is still in the reality television show ‘Big Boss’ (in India) and we haven’t spoken in months. He doesn’t even know the result yet. When he asked the television crew to call me, they refused and the entire state of Karnataka was shocked to see him break down on live television. He was always known to be a strong person, so this came as a shock and I couldn’t sleep all night. The ZEE TV network said it was to surprise him later when we get my pictures and complete posing routines. I hope to get them soon so he can celebrate my victory.”
The inaugural Musclemania® India took place today with over 100 of the country’s top natural competitors! Introducing natural bodybuilding into the country was a challenge since there had never been any such show before. Said promoter Tharun Sholarajan, “We started getting so many guys wanting to jump into the show that we initiated an application process. It was real simple – we had them send in photos and if they were obviously on juice, we directed them to another show happening in Mumbai today which was an open to anyone. It thinned the ranks a bit, but we had a pretty clean show off the top. Then, we had urinalysis testing conducted before the start of the show today. We should get the results back within a week or two. I was real proud that stuck to the MM tradition and ran a tight show, nice and clean. And especially since it was the first natural show in the country!” Next season, MM will expand in India with shows in Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore.
A skinny guy who was ignored and bullied decided to take control of his life and health. Mazher “Mazi” Hamlaanihas been relentlessly working out for years. Now at 28 years old, the Indian bodybuilder he’s at an impressive 5’8″, 150 lbs., 5% body fat and keeps getting fuller, thicker and more aesthetic each day. “When I started working out, it was to gain attention, but I soon realized that doing this to prove someone else wrong only gives them the power they always had over my mind”, Mazher says. “Instead, I embraced fitness as my passion and never looked back.I did it for me alone. Initially I faced financial issues while working out, as I was still a student. Then when I started working with an events agency, I faced major time constraints; since I had to travel for work and my working hours were almost never fixed. Round the clock reporting and ate night rigorous event setups took a toll on scheduling consistent training and food timings.” Mazi says. But this never stopped him. “When you want it that bad, you find a way around the obstacles. Over the years, I learned to work efficiently across various aspects of my life, be it work, workout, nutrition, or partying with friends. Sure, I never smoke or drink, but that doesn’t mean I ignore friends who do. It’s important to strike a balance between all. Having very supportive parents is my biggest strength. Especially my Mom. I would never have reached so far” he says. He doesn’t follow any star religiously but is a fan of Ulisses Jr, watches his workout videos and reads his material. Mazi says “Third time’s a charm. I did not place in both the Men’s Physique competitions I took part in this year. But that did not disappoint me. Instead, I took them as learning experiences. They only made me work harder and be more focused for Musclemania® India. I will bring my best form yet, and am pumped to kill it on stage!”. Mazi will be competing in Model and Physique India this December at the first Musclemania® India Championships.
His friends call him Anand Arnold for being an Arnold Schwarzenegger fanatic. But behind it all is an inspiring story of determination. “At the age of 15, my legs stopped functioning because of the effects of cancer,” Anand explains. “I had to wait three years after my cancer treatment to begin bodybuilding. Now, I am 25 and I continue working out and am one of India’s top bodybuilders beating men with fully functioning legs.” Anand has won several titles including Mr. India (two times), Mr. North India and Mr. Punjab (nine times). He’s lifetime natural and says he’s been waiting for an all natural competition in India. “The moment I heard about the world’s greatest competition Musclemania was coming to India, I was exhilarated and signed up immediately!” Anand works out hard thrice a week, eats clean and is continues to be an inspiration to Indian bodybuilders, natural or not.
The Musclemania India Seminars are a wrap and a smashing success! Hundreds of fans came out to meet MM Pros Ulisses and Simeon Panda along with Ms. Bikini America Jessica Vasquez – Athlete who fielded questions for nearly 4 hours during each of the two-day event. Then, a near frenzy occurred when the three superstars took photos with everyone and signed autographs for 2 hours each day. “It was a blast,” said Simeon. “The crowd was so receptive and shot off so many inquisitive questions about everything to do with natural bodybuilding.” Musclemania India will be in three month and if expected to host thousands of fans and competitors.
The new season for Musclemania® Pro Chul Soon has started shooting a some new sports, fashion & commercial campaigns. The 5’9″, 195 lbs., 30 year old model is also schedule to start a couple of new television shows, too. Chul will be making some special guest appearances this season including MM Asia, MM India & MM Philippines.
