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We had only prepared for only 2 minutes as per the rules but but for some reason we were allowed more time and no one else was allowed more time

On 25th June 2008 Amandeep Singh won the Sydney Open Australasian Natural Bodybuilding Competition with his unique routine. Friend and staunch supporter Rupi accompanied Amandeep on stage with his dhol. Here is the story of that day in his words - the first Indian student to ever take part in such a competition.

On 25th I was very nervous I had never in my life competed with other nationalities. Rupi kept telling me I had nothing to worry about. We had been practicing a routine where Rupi played dhol and I would perform with him. The President of the Australasian Natural Bodybuilding (ANB) allowed us to do this although it had never been done before.

As I did the first round with other bodybuilders, I was very nervous. I could hear the crowd cheering the other bodybuilders but the more the crowd shouted, the louder Rupi got which really encouraged me and I gave it my all. The next round was an individual one. When Rupi blasted the dhol, the crowd was in shock. I grew more and more confident with each dhol beat and the crowd joined in my clapping and cheered me on. We went on for 5 minutes with our routine. We had only prepared for only 2 minutes as per the rules but for some reason, we were allowed more time and no one else was allowed this. After everyone had done their routine, we went backstage. Then they called me and five others to the front of the stage and one by one my competitors were told to take a step back and my name was called. I was in shock and all I heard was a big shout from Rupi. I was presented 1st Place Mr Sydney Title. Three judges came up to me and said I had a bright future in this sport. This had never happened to me before. After the competition and the big win, it was back to work as I had to work weekends.

Amandeep came to Australia in 2007 to take care of his sister after his mother passed away. There are other people who have made this journey possible and each one of them is important to Amandeep. “I got support from my friends Ramakant, my farther SH. Surinder Singh, Rupi Hothi of Platinum Dholis, my sister, Hothi family who runs Hothi’s Indian Cuisine, Manpreet, Happy Harpreet Singh Khabra, Anthony Passarelli (www.sydneynaturopath.info), Mr. Bajwa of Austech Institute of Further Education, Michaeal Sookaloo and Dhaya Moodley from Coles Express and my class mate Anokh. My mother, of course, supported me from the very beginning and all this hard work is in her memory.”

Rupi was behind him 100 per cent. “It was like Rupi and I were competing together because both of us dieted and trained every day for months.”

Other supporters are rooting for Amandeep now. He is getting sponsored by Vital Health. Owner Sean Crossan approached him after the competition and asked him to join the team/company. “What Sean didn’t know was that I was already using his supplements in preparation to the competition.”

But where did it all start? “I entered the district competition in 2005 in Punjab and I was told by a lot of people I had a very good body and my coach (Ramakant bhaji) told me I had a very good structure. It’s because of him that I started training professionally.”

Amandeep is aware that he has a long way to go and is keen to get started. “My next step is to compete for the Mr. Australia Title. It’s going to take a lot of money to buy supplements and food. So I would like the public to support me in any way they can because I want everyone to see Indians can go far in bodybuilding where we are virtually unknown.”

Also, if he does win, he will be representing Australia for Mr World in America which is very important for him.

He has settled down well in Australia though he misses his home, friends and his fiancée Manpreet. “I like the rules and regulations here because when you work hard, you get the credit you deserve.”

Anyone interested in taking part in bodybuilding can email Rupi Hothi at platinum_dholis@hotmail.com. Rupi is an official member of the Australasian Natural Bodybuilding (ANB) Team