Bengaluru water tanker driver G Balakrishna crowned Mr Asia 2016

The 25-year-old is known as the “Arnold Schwarzenegger of Whitefield”, won the title at the 5th Phil-Asia bodybuilding championships in the Philippines.

This seems to be a good year for India in terms of men entering in international pageants. After Rohit Khandelwal won the Mr World 2016 in July, another Indian has brought home a laurel in a prestigious international fitness competition. G Balakrishna, a Bengaluru-based water tanker driver, has won the Mr. Asia title at a recently concluded 5th Phil-Asia bodybuilding championships in the Philippines.

According to The Hindu, the 25-year-old is known as the “Arnold Schwarzenegger of Whitefield”, and is no stranger to international contests. He won the Mr. Universe Under-24 junior contest in 2013 and the Mr. Universe title in the same category at the world championship in Athens in 2014.

“I am proud of my achievement and hope to repeat it



more often with some financial support,” Balakrishna told The Hindu. In the same interview, the muscular man expounded on his preparation technique for the competition, saying that he would practice for nearly six hours daily at home and has been trained by champions Sangram Chougla from Mumbai and Munish Kumar from Punjab.

Regarding his diet, Balakrishna said that he has a rich daily diet of 750g of chicken, 25 eggs, 300g of rice, 200g of vegetables, as well as fish for extra protein, and fruits. During competitions, he needs to scale down his weight from 120kg to 90kg.

Balakrishna’s is an inspiring story, as he reportedly started the water tanker business in 2010 to supplement his income as a gym instructor. He rues the lack of funds and help from the government, and struggles to participate in these international competitions.

Hopefully, this title will bring the much-needed attention to his effort.