IBB – Indian Bodybuilding IBB – Home of Indian Bodybuilding and Fitness
Yes, you heard us right! The first ever event that lead India on the path of International acknowledgement in the field of health and fitness is finally making a comeback. All the bodybuilding enthusiasts not only in India but all across the globe have been anxiously waiting for this day. It is great news for us too and hence, we could not stop ourselves from approaching the legend himself, Sheru Aangrish, to get some quick details. Our conversation has been quite exciting and we can say one thing for sure – Sheru Classic is back with a BANG!
Be it the main event or its iconic founders, everything about Sheru Classic is simply legendary. We think it is important for you to know about the tireless efforts of the two brothers who made Sheru Classic what it is today.
Sheru Aangrish:
He was born in Ludhiana, Punjab in the year 1978. Sheru defines bodybuilding as his childhood love. He grew up watching his brother working out and soon Sheru too, began trying his luck with bodybuilding. He started exercising religiously at the age of 16 years old when he was still in the first year of his college. Just after 6 months into the training, he bagged the title of Mr. Ludhiana and then achieved many milestones in this field. He won the Jr. Mr. India 1997 title at the tender age of 19 years. The next year i.e. in 1998, he won the Mr. India title.
Post this, he moved to UK to pursue his MBA at the Kings College in London. Even while he was studying, he did not give up on bodybuilding and continued with working out and participating in events over there. He won the South East Britain Championship as well as Britain championship in the year 2002. Sheru became the second Indian to be honored with an IFBB Pro Card. However, when he was at the peak of his career, due to an injury, he could not continue with bodybuilding. Even though it was heart breaking for him, he did not let his passion for the sport die and soon he was on the run to help his fellow Indian bodybuilders in their careers.
Hemanth Aangrish:
Sheru’s elder brother and his role model, his idol, his mentor, his inspiration etc. Hemanth himself is a fitness lover and started working out at an early age. Fitness and health had a big place in his life but due to family responsibilities; he could not take it up professionally. However, no responsibility was ferocious enough to keep him away from fitness and his love for the sport. Today, Hemanth is one of the finest entrepreneurs who have ventured into the field of health and fitness. Along with his younger brother, Hemanth has established six companies in different fields. They also own a nutrition supplement brand. All in all, they have a foothold in every genre of this sport.
Now finally this mega event has arrived and if what we have heard is correct than this year, it will bigger than ever. Here is what Sheru Aangrish has to say about the big return.
- What is your idea behind Sheru Classic? How did it start?
Sheru : The idea behind starting an event as grand as Sheru Classic was to give Indian Bodybuilders, a platform as competent and coveted as prestigious international events. It all happened after I had to bid adieu to professional bodybuilding due to an injury. The world of bodybuilding had become a remote past for me however, I chose health and fitness as my career. Moreover, my brother and I both had seen the hardships faced by the aspiring athletes very closely. India did not have any fitness show, major institutes or experts at that time. Knowing what the system lacks, we had to do something and that thing was Sheru Classic.
- Sheru Classic was Asia’s first pro show, why did it stop after its initial success?
Sheru : Yes, Sheru Classic was one of its kinds. No other show before it had created such high standards for a health and fitness event in India. The first event in 2011 was graced by Bollywood celebs like Sanjay Dutt and Amitabh Bacchhan. The event had laid down the path for western supplement companies to India. It was a revolution that everyone was talking about. It was exactly what India needed. Not only here but it became a coveted platform at a global level. We appeared consecutively for three years and each year, we raised the bar even higher.
However, we had to face some issues too. Firstly, I had a health issue due to which it became difficult for me to focus on organizing and promoting the event. Secondly, the core team behind the event also had some problems with the overall design of Sheru Classic. We thus, needed to redesign the entire structure so that the event is profitable as well as influencing. Keeping all these in mind, we took a break from the mainstream for two years. Now, finally we are back with new team members, better and bigger professional companies for the expo and the right amount of back up and support required for such a power packed event.
- How is Sheru Classic 2016 going to be different?
Sheru : Sheru Classic is not just an event; it has become a brand in itself. So now when we are coming back, we need to ensure that we don’t just meet our fans’ expectations but also exceed them. This year, we will have 12 events some of which are Male Model Search Talent, Female Model Search Talent, Super Gym, Industry launch, and Live Debate. Moreover, some events at this year’s Sheru Classic will be really unique.
For the first time India will host a strongman competition with Sheru Classic Amateur Strongman. Bryan Shaw who is the world’s strongest man is the official face of this event. Winner of this event will get the most coveted Pro Card which will enable the athlete to compete in Pro Qualifying Competitions across the globe. We will also have Men’s Physique as well as Women Bikini Competition. In addition to these, there will be Arm Wrestling, Roman wrestling, Live Seminars and several other sports. Another surprise element at the event is the Sports Awards. Sheru Classic is organizing this with the support of the Government of India.
We sadly won’t be having the Pro Bodybuilding this year. Since the major bodybuilding events are being held all over, I could not get dates from all the major athletes across the globe. However, there is nothing to lose heart to. We still have a lot of great bodybuilders who will arrive to support us as guest posers.
We have teamed up with Big Boy Toys for the Expo division. The entire media coverage is being handled by Lakshya Media of Event Capital. I promise to my supporters and fans that I will make Sheru Classic the most successful and the grandest event of the year.
- Which athletes have been confirmed for Sheru Classic 2016?
Sheru : My initial plan was to get the biggest athletes for our come back however, that could not happen. I could not get dates from all of them however; we still have an impressive lineup. You will see well renowned athletes like the entire line up of the Team Oxygen from Kuwait and a number of pros from Mr. Olympia. In addition, a number of leading athletes will be coming in as guest posers to support us and cheer us on our come back. Among the guest posers we have eminent personalities like Kai Greene, Big Rammy, Essa Obaid, Bader Boodai who is also called the father of bodybuilding in the Middle East and many such popular names.
- Back then Sheru Classic was the third largest Pro Show (After Mr. Olympia and Arnold Classic). What about this year?
Sheru : My aim is to get the same glory back. With an all new founding team, professional support, unique events and powerful contenders, I am sure that all the Sheru Classic fans will come back again. Next year, when I will get all the leading athletes on board for the prestigious Pro Bodybuilding, I am sure that we will reach farther then we reached in the past.
- What is your message to all the fans eagerly waiting for Sheru Classic 2016?
Sheru : I know Sheru Classic fans had been disappointed since we took off for two whole years. However, in spite of this, our fans have been loyal to us. All I want to tell them is that Sheru Classic is here and this time, it is here to stay. The show will not stop now. Sheru Classic will come to you every year and each time it will have you cheering louder.
- What is your vision for Indian Bodybuilding and Fitness industry?
Sheru : India has a lot of talent but sadly it is underutilized. We do not have any set infrastructure or platform from where the talented athletes could be picked up. Aspiring bodybuilders do not have the right information about the federations that play a crucial role in the professional sphere. My aim is to guide these potential bodybuilders. My brother and I want to guide them in every possible way we can. With Sheru Classic we are trying to give them a platform where they can showcase their talents. Promoting this wonderful sport is our main goal. We want to change India’s perception towards health and fitness so that more and more Indians aim towards becoming professionals. I firmly believe that with right knowledge and guidance, India can out do any fitness industry in the world.
- How was your journey as a bodybuilder yourself?
Sheru : Bodybuilding is the love of my life. I grew up watching my brother pump up his muscles and I too fell in love with the whole concept of health and fitness. I was so passionate about it that I used to get up at 4:30 am every day and then cycle for the next 45 minutes to gain strength. At that time, we did not have protein powders and supplements. I used to work out after cycling for two hours post which I used to return home, get ready and leave for college. I was ready to go to any extent to be at the peak of my physique and that showed in my competitions. Be it here in India or in UK, my love for this sport remained unchanged. Even today, when I can no longer compete, I am still proud to be a part of the health and fitness genre.
- What would you like to say about IBB (IndianBodybuilding.co.in)?
Sheru : IBB team is doing a commendable job. For India to see the true side of health and fitness world it is important for the right messages to reach them at the right time and IBB is doing that just great. You are connecting the masses to the reality of this profession. Keep doing the great job and keep supporting us in our efforts.
We are more than just humbled to receive such an appreciation for Mr. Aangrish. We are sure that this year Sheru Classic will break all its previous records and will prove yet again that when it comes to bodybuilding events, no one beat Sheru Classic. We are anxiously waiting for the event to start. Hope you are too!
You can listen to the audio interview of Sheru Aangrish here
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