For Mr. Meghalaya 2018 champions, fitness is the end with Iron House Gym as their means
BY SHWETA RAJ KANWAR | October 24, 2018
"When you are winning, keep competing like you're losing"– This is the motto of Mr. Meghalaya 2018 champions, all four of whom are co-incidentally members of the same gym-Iron House Gym, Shillong, Meghalaya.
IN CONVERSATION WITH MR. MEGHALAYA 2018 CHAMPIONS FROM IRON HOUSE GYM, SHILLONG
Mr. Meghalaya 2018 overall champion, Bransley D Nongkynrih is not just a body builder but also a gym fitness instructor at Iron House Gym, Shillong founded by his father Khrawbok Nongrum in 2015 and who himself was a power lifter. And since 2016, the gym has been producing champions every year with 2018 being its third consecutive victory at a reputed state event.
Nitul Baruah who won Gold at Mr. Meghalaya 2018 in the 80 kg category was the 1st runner up in the Mr. Meghalaya 2018 overall category and is also a member of Iron House Gym.
Wanphai Jyrwa who is a lawyer by profession won Gold at the below 55 kg category in Mr. Meghalaya 2018 championship.
Marvin Synnah bagged the 1st place in the Best Physique category (Below 65 kg) at the Mr. Meghalaya Championship 2018.
A common feature in all the 4 champions at Mr. Meghalaya champonship this year is that they are all members of Iron House Gym, Shillong and are driven by a common motto of living a fit and healthy life.
Speaking to TNT- The Northeast Today, Khrawbok Nongrum, owner of Iron House Gym Shillong expressed his pride over the fact that this is the third year whereby members of his gym have emerged victorious and second consecutive year of winning the Mr. Meghalaya title.
"I started this gym in November 30, 2015 as I was and I am very passionate about fitness and I wanted to carry the legacy forward. I am very happy to say that in 2016, our gym won 2 gold medals in different categories at the championship held that year. Again in 2017, we won one categorical gold medal while also winning the Mr. Meghalaya 2017 title bagged by Arnab Roy".
And since then, the legacy of fitness accompanied with victory continues with Khrawbok's son taking forward the title of Mr. Meghalaya 2018 this year while three other members of the gym won three Gold and one silver medals at categorical events.
"My biggest and greatest inspiration is my father", says Bransley while flaunting his various past achievements.
Bransley has a first class diploma as Gym Fitness Instructor from Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University. He also earned a diploma of Body Building and Health Club Trainer from National School of Body Building and Nutrition.
Besides this, Bransley was awarded 1st place in the Bangalore District Best Physique and and Mr. Bengaluru Men's Physique Championship on September 22, 2018 held at Bengaluru.
"My first achievement was in Punjab when I bagged the 2nd place in the Junior Mr. Punjab 65 kg category. The second boost came from Jowai, Meghalaya where I secured 1st in below 60 kg category which was soon followed by Mr. Bangalore last month and now Mr. Meghalaya title", Bransley informed.
Giving a major credit to his father for his achievements, 25-yr-old Bransley expresses his gratitude to his father for always being there for him and more so, inspiring him.
When not body building, Bransley likes playing football. His next target is to partake and try to emerge victorious in championship in Mumbai next year as well as East India Championship.
All four champions work out every single day with a mission to strive for a healthy and fit lifestyle without any compromise whatsoever.
Mr. Meghalaya 2018 first runner up and champion in above 75 kg, Nitul Baruah also has his own set of achievements to share.
Speaking to TNT- The Northeast Today, he recalls, "I first started gymming in 2011 that is formally at the gym in Shillong at the age of 22. Prior to that, I practised exercises at home on my own. I first participated in a competition in 2012 where I featured in the top 2 in the 70 kg category. The next was Mr. Meghalaya 2013 (one organised by the Govt. and the other by a sponsoring private entity). And I bagged gold in one while I was the 2nd runner up in the other in respective category. Next was in 2014 where I was the second runner up".
Nitul now wants to participate in Mr. Assam Championship next year and the rest, he says is in the hands of God.
However body physique is different from body building says 24-yr-old Men's Physique champion 2018 Marvin Synnah.
"I am mostly into fitness, body proportionality and symmetry and have been working out for four years now", says Marvin while adding that he had been a witness to some bad influence as a teenager which led him to decide that he was not going to be part of something that would eventually ruin him in any manner.
"I made a choice, I chose a different life and now I am happy that I am living it. Taking care of myself has given me a whole new perspective to life. Fitness is not just about keeping the body fit but it has more to do with mental fitness", Marvin adds.
A lawyer by profession, Mr. Meghalaya 2018 below 55 kg champion Wanphai Jyrwa has been seriously gymming (without bunking) for two years now. For the 31-yr-old lawyer, fitness and body building has been a passion since his college days and he believes its never too late to take the first step towards fitness.
While Iron House Gym, Shillong continues to bask in the glory of victory for the third consecutive year, Khrawbok Nongrum proudly says, "It is all about team work here and I am proud of my boys, no matter what".
THE CHAMPIONS' MESSAGE FOR THOSE BATTLING ADDICTION
BRANSLEY D NONGKYNRIH (Mr. Meghalaya 2018 & Gold medal, below 70 kg): Come forward, leave behind all bad habits and exercise because everybody deserves to stay healthy and fit.
MARVIN SYNNAH (Men's Physique Champion, 2018 & Silver medal, below 65 kg): I would request those with harmful habits to change themselves because there is nothing to gain from such practices except early death.
NITUL BARUAH (Gold medal, above 75 kg & First runner up, Mr. Meghalaya 2018): There is no benefit from drinking or doing drugs. Take care of your body while you can hardwork always bears good results. It is also very important to control one's diet.
WANPHAI JYRWA (Gold Medal, below 55 kg): I understand that it is very difficult to come out of an addiction but I want to inspire them in whatever ways I can. This is a huge problem today and I would like to make myself helpful in any way possible to help those in need. Through this medium, I request them to take up any form of sport as it will be very beneficial to them.
Featured image courtesy: JOYDEEP DEY
The writer can be reached at shwetarajkanwar@gmail.com or shweta@thenortheasttoday.com
