“When the going gets tough, the tough get’s going”. I met a living testament of this proverb, Mr. Mumbai, whose journey to this title wasn’t a bed of roses, Atik Khan, 24, winner of Sr. Mr. Mumbai 2020 title, was equally elated and emotional while talking about his achievements. Atik, Bandraite by birth, is a proud winner of a Silver medal in Jr. Mr. Mumbai 2016, Gold medal in Mr. Mumbai Novices 2019, Silver Medal in Mumbai Shree 2019, Gold medal in Mr. Mumbai 2020. Well, the list is endless as he secured top spot in several other bodybuilding championships. This Bandra boy wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth and had to beat all the odds on his way through to the top. Let’s prick up our ears to what Mr. Mumbai has to say which will definitely leave you with ‘Wow, is it real’ feeling.
Participating in sports wasn’t exactly your cup of tea during college days. So where did this all start from?
Can you imagine that you’re sitting with a guy who was a walking skeleton once upon a time? I was a skinny pale guy weighing 38 kgs, and bundle of laughs for my classmates more so as I rode a bullet gifted by my dad. And that’s when it all began in the year 2013. With a simple motive to put on a few pounds, so that I and my bullet looked like we were made for each other, I hit the gym and the first six months passed without any results. Luckily after six months, I gained 2-3 kgs and within a year my body was in a good shape. In 2014, I won an inter-college bodybuilding competition that sowed the seed which I’ve reaped now as Mr. Mumbai. I started working, in 2015 when I was in the final year of my college, as a floor trainer in Leena Mogre gym. That was the only time when I asked my dad to sponsor the personal trainer course for me to get started. Till 2015, I was quite passionate but naive about bodybuilding. My dearest pal – Zeebran Shaikh always offered me encouragement that I can be the next Shawn Rhoden.
What about finances? Participating in bodybuilding competitions requires investment in training, diet supplements, etc. Was your family at your back?
My heart sinks when I remember that those days when all my pocket had was just 10 bucks. Unnecessary spending was not in the picture. My only emotional and financial support was myself, I pumped in all my savings in preparation when I decided that I’m meant to be a bodybuilder. Savings were not enough to fund my training, so I used to sell diet supplements and provide personal training sessions to keep my training going. Everything I had gone through in the making of an athlete sitting next to you.
The gem can’t be polished without friction, nor the man can be perfected without trials, isn’t it? I owe all my achievements to my mom. Though my family wasn’t able to support me financially and otherwise, though they weren’t in favour of me making my career in bodybuilding, I still remember that my mom used to wake up by the crack of the dawn. By no means, bodybuilders can compromise on their diet. We need to consume eight to nine protein and nutrition-packed meals in a day and preparing them apart from taking care of the requirements of other family members is not a joke. Salute to mom, she is irreplaceable.
We are all ears to know if there was any twist in the story?
23rd December 2017, the darkest day in my life. It was just like an unpredicted storm on a bright sunny day. My life was a rollercoaster after I had won the Silver Medal in Jr. Mr. Mumbai 2016. Not content with my achievement, I started preparing for Jr. Mr. Mumbai 2017 as my coach, Atul Ambre, motivated me that I was meant for Gold Medal. Luck was not on my side, I was denied participation after a year-long of preparation as I was six days older to the defined age criteria of the competition. I didn’t take a sigh, as my coach then, Sanjay Chavan, encouraged me to participate in Mr. Mumbai Novices in January 2018.
I started training in full swing, days and nights were alike and no force on earth could have stopped me winning Novices title until I got hospitalized just 10 days prior to the competition on 23rd December. By the time I recovered, the competition was over and now only love was there in the air. My love-story, a short-lived one, left me shattered in the end as my girlfriend and I parted after being in a relationship for six months. What I was left with is a broken heart and unforgettable raspy words: “You are a loser and always will be one…” As devastated as I was, I walked in a dark alley of depression, hanged out with brats, smoked, slept, wept for seven months.
One fine day, I glanced myself in the mirror and saw a guy starring at me asking: “Are you meant for this?”. With a ray of hope entering my dark alley, I contacted my mentors, Atul and Sanjay who still had confidence in me and encouraged me to participate in Mr. Mumbai Novices 2019. My journey, right from August 2018 when I started preparing till January 2019 when I was crowned as Mr. Mumbai Novices 2019, was patchy but worth a lifetime. All’s well that ends well.
Mr. Mumbai sounds an achievement at your age. What went in the making?
Atul Ambre and Sanjay Chavan are not only my immutable mentors but I owe the world to them. Without them, I aka Mr. Mumbai won’t be here today interacting with you. After I won Novices 2019 title, I got the wings and then there was no looking back. Within a fraction of a month, in February 2019, I won Silver medal in Mumbai Shree 2019. With 29,500 followers on Instagram, Mr. Mumbai Novices 2019 now wanted to be Sr. Mr. Mumbai. Confidence of my fans and their faith in me, rigorous training sessions by my mentors, fire in my belly and my self-confidence are the key ingredients that went in the making of Sr. Mr. Mumbai 2020.
Your story is a real-life rags-to-riches tale. Do you want to give any message to our readers?
And either victory or else a grave. These words of wisdom by William Shakespeare kept echoing in my mind until I held the trophy of Sr. Mr. Mumbai 2020 in my hands. Believe in yourself even if the whole world is against you. I’m from a middle-class family and participating in bodybuilding competitions needs an investment of lakhs of rupees. I worked in the morning to earn enough and practised at night, didn’t borrow a penny from my folks. I would end by saying that don’t hit “I can’t do it” or “it’s over” button in your mind, and you will find a way to conquer your dreams. Keep dreaming, keep achieving!!!
Alhumdullilah apna bhai Aur aage jayega 👍.