BODYBUILDER COP RETURNS AS MR TAMIL NADU AFTER A 10 YEAR GAP

*Image courtesy: The Times of India*

It took 10 years of hardwork and dedication for head constable A Purushothaman to finally achieve his goal and dream - to become 'Mr Tamil Nadu'.

The 39-year-old cop emerged as a regular winner at multiple bodybuilding competitions till 2008. However, an unexpected injury restricted his training routine, and Purushothaman was asked to rest. While he continued to hit the gym, he took a hiatus from the hard and uncompromising routine that is associated with bodybuilding.

And now 10 years later, Purushothaman is back to his habit of winning competitions. Since January, he has prepared himself by taking part in smaller competitions, and in May, he bagged the 'Mr Chennai' title. He has now bagged the coveted 'Mr Tamil Nadu title' this month, after winning the 80 kg category of the overall state championship.

Purushothaman has now set his eyes on the national stage where he plans to compete in October.
"I work out at a gym in Kodambakkam for two hours in the morning and two hours in evening after my shift," said Purushothaman. He believes that only those who are passionate about their physique can take up bodybuilding. "It requires a lot of sacrifice when it comes to food habits. Though I was once fond of eating rice, I have limited this and take oats, proteins and wheat," he added.

Purushothaman is a head constable with the Adyar traffic enforcement wing and even has fans within his department. He began his bodybuilding career in 1997, and was trained by the famous bodybuilder Rajendra Mani.

*Report: Times of India*