Ronjit Chandra Sarkar, a professional bodybuilder and trainer may not be a household name yet but he is the proud winner of the title of Mr. Bangladesh for three years and the only Bangladeshi bodybuilder to win gold at the 2018 Men’s Bodybuilding World Regional Championship, Singapore.
What prompted you to begin your journey as a bodybuilder?
Ever since my childhood, I admired Indian superstar Salman khan and wanted a body like his. In 2011, after completing a diploma in electric engineering from Dinajpur, I came to Dhaka in order to pursue a bachelor’s degree. That’s when the doors to bodybuilding opened up for me and I dropped out of school. I took the conscious decision to pursue a career in bodybuilding with the goal to be one of the best in the business.
Did you face any issues of body-image before that?
Being one of the shortest and lankiest kids in the family and neighborhood, the issue of body-image did have an impact on me. I remember when there used to be wrestling on TV and all the kids in the neighborhood would idolize and be fans of different wrestlers for their body. I did not only idolize them, I wanted to be like them.
Moving to Dhaka was a step, and the access to the internet helped me to research about how to put on more weight, learn about nutrition, healthcare and so on. I used to follow different international bodybuilders like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lee Priest and others while trying to find out more about their workout routine, diet plans and incorporate them to construct my routine.
A career as a professional bodybuilder is like a chain of improvements and all about focusing on the symmetry of muscle and body.
What was the “ideal” figure you were aiming to achieve when you were starting out? Even better, what constitutes as the “ideal” figure?
My bodybuilding career began by competing in the weight categories of 50kgs and went on about. To me, the ideal figure would be to have a big [traditionally] masculine body like Arnold Schwarzenegger along with ripped six-pack abs, arms and legs like Lee Priest. A career as a professional bodybuilder is like a chain of improvements and all about focusing on the symmetry of muscle and body.
I don’t think I can specifically define the “ideal” body or figure. All knew is that I want to get bigger everyday and have a defined symmetrical body to pursue titles in the international bodybuilding scene. Since I won a title in Singapore, the next step for me is to compete in the Mr World bodybuilding competition. Therefore to me, the ideal body would reflect on my credibility to earn more gold for my country.
Tell us about your recent experience at international events.
The experience of going to Singapore and participating was a dream come true. This trip was the first ever experience to get out of the country. Words won’t be enough to explain my journey. It was surely one of the most important moments of my life.
Having no knowledge about how to register or how to proceed, I was very confused and I didn’t receive much help from anyone, particularly the Bangladesh bodybuilding federation. One of my personal trainees helped me register for the competition and also sponsored me for the Singapore visa and air tickets. Without his help I probably could have never gone out of the country and participate.
It was a complex mixture of fear, adventure, the experience of a new country that overwhelmed me and it is still hard for me to believe that I made it and won a gold title for my country.
Do you believe Bangladesh has the ability and infrastructure to compete at the global level?
Yes, I do believe we have the infrastructure and opportunity to compete at the global level. I may be the first Bangladeshi to win a gold title in the global bodybuilding championship but there were two other bodybuilders from Bangladesh who won silver and bronze. A few other bodybuilders have travelled to India and Thailand to compete and I believe if we get support and facilities from the government or relevent authorities, I am confident that we will reach the top.
Did you receive support from your closed ones or were they annoyed? (Since in most households, this is seen as an extravagant and costly hobby)
My family, particularly my older brothers, sisters and my mother always supported me. Without their support I could have never been the man I am today. I think when they first heard about me dropping out of school, they had doubts but all my achievements proved to them that this was indeed my path.
Tell our readers why they should consider this lifestyle.
Living a healthy life is the best way to do so. These days, everyone wants to live a healthy life, look good and eat healthy. Plan your day with proper nutrition, workouts at the gym or parks and follow a routine diet plan which will leave you feeling fresh, happy and confident.
