The hard work put in by Sunit Jadhav was evident in his sharpness on stage and the verdict was unanimous as he proved he is the best in the business to be crowned Mr. Asia as the curtains came down on the 52nd edition of the Asian Body Building and Physique Sports Championship, at the Balewadi sports complex late on Sunday night. This event was organized by Indian Body Builders Federation, sponsored by Hero and powered by Jerai fitness.
Sunit Jadhav
“This is the title (Mr. Asia) which has been eluding India and finally I made it. It is one of the happiest moments with my life and I dedicate this title to my wife who has been very supportive and of course IBBF and Chetan Pathare who have helped me making our country proud. There is one more title left, the Mr. World and I will do my best to reach the top later this year,” said Jadhav after the three-time Mr. India was adjudged as the best among the hundred-odd athletes who had rubbed shoulders in this three-day contest at the badminton hall, in Balewadi.
From (L-R) Premchand Degra, president IBBF, Chetan Pathare General Secretary IBBF & Assistant Secretary ABBF, Datuk Paul Chua, President ABBF, Madhukar Talwalkar, executive Vice president IBBF Sunil Jadhav the Asian Champion and Namdev Shirgaonkar Joint Secretary of Indian Olympic Association.
No man succeeds without a good woman behind him and here it is Jadhav’s wife Swapnali who has been the main driving force. Quitting her job as a counselor with NIIT in Mumbai she took up working with her husband fill time and in the last five years has made many things happen for the couple. “ I take care of his diet and you can say I am his nutrition (laughs) but the best thing is, he has been working very hard,” said Swapnali, a resident of Dadar West in Mumbai. She never takes any credit for it as she says, “He has been working for many years and all his efforts have reaped rich rewards.”
India won over 15 medals overall (five gold, six silver and four bronze) and the men’s championship, making it their best outing in this level of the championship. Datuk Paul Chua, Secretary General – World Body Building and Physique Sports Federation was all praise for the host India, as he went to add, “Jadav being named as Mr. India is fitting reply to the commendable way the championship was organized and this title for India is an icing on the cake for them.”
The championship witness led one of the category making a comeback while another one a new introduction. The Mixed pair made a comeback while paraplegic made their maiden appearance in the contest making it more special in more than one way.