BHARATI PAWASKAR
He is 5.11”, weighs 101 kilos, has a large appetite, works out in the gym for four hours a day, six days a week. Creating history for Goa, as nobody until this day had won the overall Champion of Champion title in Bodybuilding at Mr India level, Naivedya Shetkar has made Goa proud by winning ‘Khasdarshree 2019’ held recently in Nagpur Indian Body Building Championship in 85 kg weight category.
A treat for the sports lovers, Khasdar Krida Mahotsav was held in Nagpur from January 12 to 27 and hosted 24 events. “So far Goa had not defeated Maharashtra in body building. I had not dreamt that I would defeat the topmost among them. Nagpur’s event turns out to be a real feather in the cap of Goa,” quips Naivedya who represented Goa in this prestigious sports festival and received his trophy from India’s first Mr Universe, Premchand Dogra.
Noting that it was the strong support of his family and friends that made it possible for him to pursue bodybuilding, Naivedya thanks them for allowing him to chase his dream. Australian coach Harry Sandhu and nutritionist Thaira Khan also worked with him. His mother cooks untiringly and consistently to satiate his unstoppable hunger that needs six feeds a day. Naivedya’s daily diet consists of four kg of boiled chicken with no masala and 38 eggs along with oats, peanut butter, green salads, sprouts, proteins, vitamins and mineral supplements, amino acids, pineapple and orange juice.
“Milk is a no no, because it makes the body bloat. I need to keep my body in shape. I don’t eat sugar and junk food and have only green tea with stevia. However, I do go for cheat meals, maybe once a week. And my hunger prangs compel me to wake up and eat at odd hours of the night too. I stop fresh fruit juices a month before participating in any event,” discloses Naivedya who earns his living by offering online training. Some clients take personal training from him. He also held a job in the directorate of sports as a gym instructor on temporary basis for three years till 2014.
He points out that body building requires good diet and nutrition. It is an expensive sport and not all afford to pursue it, especially if there are no sponsors or government support. Like football and cricket, where the State government is keen in supporting the sportspersons financially, body building must also be encouraged in Goa. There are many aspiring bodybuilders in Goa but lack of financial support compelled them either to limit their dreams or to settle elsewhere. “Some Goan body builders have embraced Pune as there is no dearth of motivators and sponsors in Maharashtra,” points out Naivedya.
A Guardian Angel boy from Quepem, body building attracted Naivedya since childhood. He read books to gain knowledge on body building. Elder brother Nilesh was his inspiration as he was a University champion in body building and had won a gold medal. “I made dumbbells out of clay and practiced with them. Since teenage, I kept the fire burning within me and never gave up,” states Naivedya who joined gym in 2002 under trainer Viraj Arabekar. Naivedya is now concentrating on two major championships in 2019 - Mr India in March and Mr Asia in September.
Year 2018 was rather lucky for Naivedya. He was placed in top 5 in his first attempt for Asia. Back in Goa, he bagged the overall Champion of the Champion titles at Sanguem and Shiroda (where he was Mr Goa). He secured gold medal in 75 kg and above category at Vasco and silver at Western India championship in MP. The recent event at Nagpur proved to be the crown jewel among his achievements.
His journey began in 2008 with a gold medal in the University, just like his big brother. Facing some ups and downs in life Naivedya took break after an accident. Then in 2011 he won silver at national level in 85-90 kg category. Again after a break for three years he opted for power lifting and won in 70 kg category in 2013. After a year’s rest, he re-entered the game in 2015 to win Silver in All Goa Body Building championship. In 2016 he was, three times, chosen the most improved body builder and won Gold in Patrakarshree competition. “I kept a gap in 2017 but 2018 proved to be the best year in my career,” smiles Naivedya.
