Bodybuilding in India has witnessed a surge in popularity, with a growing number of enthusiasts embracing the sport. From local gyms to professional competitions, the fitness culture has evolved, fostering a sense of discipline and dedication. Influenced by iconic bodybuilders like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Indian athletes have made their mark on the international stage. The sport has transcended urban boundaries, reaching rural areas where fitness awareness is on the rise. With an emphasis on nutrition, training, and mental resilience, bodybuilding has become a holistic lifestyle choice for many in India, inspiring a new generation to pursue physical excellence and well-being.
Ranked as the eleventh most recognized and celebrated sport in India based on its order of recognition, bodybuilding earned this status just a few decades ago. Today, it stands in the limelight as a globally recognized sport, capturing the attention and dedication of numerous Indians. The essence of this sport lies in meticulously refining muscular contours, with enthusiasts dedicating extensive days and nights to rigorous high-intensity strengthening exercises. This commitment forms the core of the sport, shaping bodies and carving a niche for bodybuilding as a booming passion among the Indian populace.
Here the List of Top 25 Indian bodybuilders
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Sangram Chaugule
Sangram Chaugule, a Pune-based electrical engineer, stands unchallenged as the recipient of the prestigious Mr. Universe title at the World Bodybuilding Championship in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2012. Renowned for his disciplined physique and a commitment to reshaping perceptions of the sport, Sangram consistently secured impressive rankings in the Mr. World and Mr. Asia competitions from 2011 to 2014. His achievements underscore his dedication to excellence in bodybuilding, marking him as a formidable figure in the global bodybuilding arena. The 43-year-old is one of the top bodybuilders in India and has also won the Mr. Maharashtra 3 times in his career.
Sangram’s dedication to bodybuilding makes him the best bodybuilder in India. His diet includes 2 pounds of fish, a pound of chicken, and high doses of milk and boiled vegetables. Sangram trains minimum of 3 hours every day going up to 6 hours.
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Suhas Khamkar
Hailing from a family of bodybuilders in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Suhas Khamkar, at the age of 43, stands out as one of India’s most accomplished bodybuilders. Remarkably, he has clinched the Mr. India title an impressive ten times and secured the Mr. Maharashtra title on eight occasions. In a groundbreaking achievement in 2010, Suhas made history by becoming the first Indian to claim the Mr. Asia title. His accolades also include the Mr. Amateur Olympia-Champion of Champion title in 2018, and he consistently adds to his medal collection, showcasing his enduring success in various competitions.
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Rajendra Mani
Rajendra Mani also known as also known as Indian Hulk is a former Air Force officer and a renowned international athlete of India. Being India’s no.1 bodybuilder, Rajendra is almost unreal with his list of accomplishments including 14 time Mr. India, 3 times World Champion, and 3 times Asian Champion. In 2019, Rajendra won gold in the World Bodybuilding Championship for the 90 kg category held in Budapest, Hungary and established himself as best bodybuilder in India.
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Arambam Boby
At 48 years old, Arambam Boby Singh defies the conventional notion of aging with recent noteworthy accomplishments. Hailing from the same state that produced the renowned Indian sensation Mary Kom, Boby has clinched an impressive 12 Mr. India titles in his illustrious career, just the beginning of his extensive achievements. His international accolades include a remarkable 8 Mr. World titles, 5 Mr. Asia titles, and 3 Mr. South Asia titles, primarily competing in the 75 kg category. Embarking on his bodybuilding journey in 1995, Boby has remained a formidable force in the sport, showcasing enduring strength and perseverance for over two decades.
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Murali Kumar
At the age of 38, Murli began his career in the Indian Navy before transitioning to weightlifting at 25. Motivated by friends, he embarked on a mission to build his physique, ultimately steering him towards the world of professional bodybuilding. Through unwavering dedication, Murli won various amateur titles, culminating in the prestigious Mr. India title in 2013. Since then, he has consistently triumphed in multiple professional competitions, firmly establishing himself as one of India’s premier bodybuilding champions.
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Wasim Khan
Making history with his unique approach, Delhi’s Wasim Khan achieved a remarkable feat by securing victory at the International Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation Event (IBFF) for three consecutive years in 2015, 2016, and 2017. This accomplishment not only distinguishes him as the sole Indian to achieve this honor twice in the IBFF event but also stands as an unprecedented achievement, with no other Indian having clinched this title thrice.
Consistently delivering glory and pride, Wasim has a track record of achieving his goals. In 2014, he won the prestigious title of Mr. Universe. Undoubtedly, he continues to showcase his commitment to representing India in diverse competitions, exemplified by his recent outstanding performance at the 2019 Olympia Amateur in Las Vegas, where he earned the fifth position on a global scale.
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Thakur Anoop Singh
Thakur Anoop Singh stands out as an exceptionally versatile individual, excelling both as an actor and a bodybuilder. His achievements include securing a gold medal in the Men’s Fitness Physique category at the 2015 WBPF World Bodybuilding Championship, followed by a bronze at the 49th Asian Championship later that year. Additionally, he clinched a silver medal at the 2015 Mr. India competition. Beyond his prowess in bodybuilding, Anoop Singh is recognized for his television roles, most notably portraying Dhritarashtra in Star’s TV series, Mahabharat.
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Amit Chettri
Amit Chhetri, born in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, is often referred to as the Arnold Schwarzenegger of India. His notable achievement includes securing the Mr. India title in 2016 within the 100 kg category. Alongside his role in the Uttarakhand police force, Amit showcased his prowess on an international stage by participating in the 2015 Fairfax World Police and Fire Games in Virginia. In the face of competition from bodybuilders representing 90 different countries, the Indian athlete triumphed in the 100 kg category, earning a gold medal.
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Ankur Sharma
Ankur Sharma is recognized as one of the outstanding talents in the emerging generation of Indian bodybuilders. His journey to success began with winning the Mr. Universe title in 2009, marking a pivotal moment in his career. Subsequently, he continued his winning streak by securing the Mr. South Asia title in the same year and later claiming the Mr. India title in 2012. In 2013, Ankur’s achievements reached new heights as he clinched the gold medal at the WBPF World Championship and earned the prestigious Mr. Asia title.
Ankur firmly opposes the use of steroids or artificial supplements, advocating for a natural and long-term approach to transformation. He believes in setting an example through his commitment to natural methods and has motivated aspiring individuals to follow a similar path.
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Varinder Singh Ghuman
Varinder Singh Ghuman is one of the rare vegetarian bodybuilders on a global scale. Hailing from Punjab, he achieved the Mr. India title in 2009 and holds the distinction of being the first Indian to receive a Pro Card from the International Federation of Bodybuilding. Varinder has ventured into the world of acting, featuring in both Punjabi and Bollywood films, including a role in the Bollywood movie “Marjaavaan.” In 2012, he gained recognition when Arnold Schwarzenegger chose him to promote the Hollywood superstar’s healthcare and fitness supplements in India.
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Premchand Degra
list of accomplished Indian bodybuilders would be incomplete without the inclusion of Premchand Degra. A veteran in the Indian bodybuilding scene, Degra commands immense respect. With an impressive record, he has clinched the Mr. India title nine times and secured victory in the Mr. Asia competition on eight occasions. Furthermore, Degra achieved the pinnacle of success by winning both the Mr. Universe and Mr. World titles in 1988, triumphing in the Middle-weight class.
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Bhuwan Chauhan
While many athletes featured on the list of leading Indian bodybuilders possess an IFBB Pro card, only a select few have actually participated in professional competitions. Bhuwan Chauhan holds the distinction of being the first Indian bodybuilder to secure victory in an IFBB Pro show, specifically in the Men’s Physique category.
As of the current information, Chauhan boasts an impressive record of six wins in IFBB Pro shows. Notably, he has thrice graced the stage at the prestigious Mr. Olympia in 2019, 2020, and 2022, achieving his best performance with a 15th-place finish in the 2020 Olympia.
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Mukesh Gehlot
Gehlot a distinguished figure in the realm of bodybuilding, clinched the Mr. India title four times in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012. Beyond his achievements in professional bodybuilding, Gehlot stands out as a accomplished powerlifter, a unique distinction unparalleled by any other Indian athlete. According to records from Open Powerlifting, he has emerged victorious in nine sanctioned powerlifting competitions held in the USA, Ireland, UK, Germany, and the Netherlands.
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Sunit Jadhav
Sunit Jadhav stands out as a prominent figure in the Indian professional bodybuilding scene. Despite initially pursuing economics in college, he made the bold decision to leave his studies and follow his passion for bodybuilding, a journey that began with lifting weights at a young age.
Jadhav’s early victories in smaller competitions, including a notable win at the 2009 Maharashtra Shree contest, bolstered his confidence to compete at the highest echelons. His impressive track record includes securing the Mr. India title in 2012, 2013, and 2015, in addition to winning the Mr. Maharashtra title six times and the Mr. Mumbai title four times.
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Yatinder Singh
Yatinder Singh an accomplished and currently active Indian bodybuilder, commenced his journey in 2001. He marked his entry into the realm of bodybuilding by clinching victory at the Western Uttar Pradesh Championship in 2002. Despite facing a setback with a lower back vertebrae injury while preparing for the 2005 Mr. Asia, Singh made a triumphant comeback in 2009, securing the title at the North India Bodybuilding Championship.
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Manoj Patil
Commencing his training at 18, Patil claimed victory in his initial bodybuilding competition, Junior Mr. Mumbai, at the age of 21. His accomplishments include securing the Mr. India Men’s Physique Overall Championship in 2016. Patil attained an IFBB Pro card by emerging victorious in the Men’s Physique division at the 2019 Sheru Classic.
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Hiral Lal
Hira Lal boasts an impressive record with four Mr. Asia titles, triumphs in the Federation Cup, Mr. Punjab, and Mr. India competitions. Notably, he clinched the Mr. Universe title at the 65th World Body Building Championship, marking a historic victory for India after a gap of 23 years since the iconic bodybuilder Premchand Degra last achieved this feat in 1988.
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Prashant Salunkhe
Prashant Salunkhe, known for his exceptional genetic gifts, secured the Mr. India title in 2015, surpassing the formidable Suhas Khamkar with his well-developed, full-muscle bellies. Salunkhe boasts an impressive collection of eight Mr. India titles and also achieved victories in the Mumbai Shree and Jerrai Shree competitions in 2016.
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Ashish Shakharkar
Ashish Sakharkar hails from a family deeply rooted in bodybuilding, with his father having earned the prestigious Mr. Maharashtra title. Sakharkar himself clinched the coveted Mr. India title four times. Additionally, he achieved notable international success, securing a gold medal in the European Championships, a silver medal in the Mr. Asia Championship, and silver and bronze medals in the Mr. Universe Championship. Sakharkar also demonstrated his prowess by attaining a seventh-place finish in the Amateur Olympia.
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Raymond D’Souza
Raymond D’Souza renowned for his aesthetic appeal during his prime, drew comparisons to bodybuilding legend Frank Zane for the well-rounded qualities of his physique, encompassing shape, symmetry, balance, size, and conditioning.
In 1990, D’Souza achieved the pinnacle of success by securing the Mr. World title. Despite being a banker by profession, he showcased his bodybuilding prowess by winning the Bharath Kesari title at the All India Body Building Competition in Chattisgarh in 2010. D’Souza’s impressive list of victories extends to various other competitions, including Bharath Shrestha, Bharath Kishore, Bharath Shree, and Bharath Kumar.
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Neeraj Kumar
In 2003, Neeraj Kumar emerged victorious in his weight class, securing the Mr. India title, and simultaneously earned a bronze medal at the Mr. Universe contest. Hailing from the eastern Indian state of Bihar, Kumar has been appointed as the president of the Bihar Bodybuilding Association.
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Montosh Roy
Monotosh Roy, commencing his training at 12, became the inaugural Indian and Asian bodybuilder to secure the Mr. Universe title in the Group III Amateur Division in 1951. His entry into bodybuilding competitions began in 1939, where he emerged victorious in the East Indian Bodybuilding Championship.
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Micky Mehta
Mickey Mehta is an Indian bodybuilder and fitness expert known for his contributions to the fitness industry. His expertise extends beyond bodybuilding, encompassing holistic health and wellness.
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Manohar Aich
Dubbed ‘The Pocket Hercules’ due to his 4-foot-11 stature, Aich earned the distinction of being the second Indian bodybuilder to secure the Mr. Universe title, following in the footsteps of Monotosh Roy. Aich’s notable victory occurred at the 1952 NABBA Universe Championships in the Pro-Short division, where he asserted his dominance and clinched the coveted title.
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Rohit Khandelwal
Rohit Khandelwal is an Indian bodybuilder who gained recognition not only for his physique but also as a model. His achievements include success in the field of bodybuilding and a career in modeling.
Several decades ago, pursuing a career in sports was not regarded as a viable option in India. This significant factor contributed to the underdevelopment of India’s sports infrastructure, resulting in a limited number of elite athletes and a scarcity of Olympic or Commonwealth Games medals. Nevertheless, this scenario is undergoing a rapid transformation.
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