Balakrishna is a fan of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
G Balakrishna, a 25-year-old water tanker driver from Bengaluru, has won the Mr. Asia 2016 title at the 5th Phil-Asia bodybuilding championships held in the Philippines recently.
A resident of Ramagondanahalli near Varthur, Balakrishna is known as the “Arnold Schwarzenegger of Whitefield” after winning many international titles.
“I am proud of my achievement and hope to repeat it more often with some financial support, I owe it to my mother, Parvathamma, and brother Rajesh who have been my pillars of support,” Balakrishna, who lost his father at a very young age and had financial hardships, told The Times of India.
A well-known body builder in the IT hub, Balakrishna started his own water tanker business in 2010 to support his career. A passionate follower of Hollywood star Schwarzenegger, he is trained by bodybuilders from Mumbai and Punjab, named Sangram Chougla and Manish Kumar, respectively.
Apart from a daily practice that lasts up to six hours a day, Balakrishna follows a strict diet to maintain his boy.
“I am maintaining my position with a rich daily diet that includes 750 grams of chicken, 25 eggs, 300 grams of rice, 200 grams of vegetables along with fish for extra protein and fruits,” he said.
Balakrishna has won many titles, including the 2013 edition of Mr. Universe Under-24 junior contest in Germany and Mr. Universe title in the same category at the World Championship in Athens, Greece the very next year.
Though he doesn’t get any financial help from the government, the residents of Whitefield and Varthur have come forward to help him by raising funds.