Ribesh Pradhan comes 2nd at the Mr India Senior National Body-Building Championship

Ribesh Pradhan is a new face in the world of body-building and fitness who is quickly climbing the ladder of success. Ribesh recently won Silver in Mr India Senior National Body-building Championship (60kg) and Bronze in men's physique (below 170 cm) in the same tournament. Besides, Ribesh has won the Strongman of Darjeeling District Bench Press and Powerlifting Championship title twice in the past, along with many other titles.

Nabin Pradhan, for TheDC, caught up with Ribesh over the phone to find out more about him, to know his journey so far, and to learn about his future and other plans.

TheDC: What got you into the world of fitness and gym?

Ribesh: I was really a skinny guy weighing just about 45 kg when I started my fitness activities. In fact, I didn't join gym for body-building; rather I was motivated by factors such as looking good and fitness.

TheDC: Please tell us more about your involvement in this field and the awards and recognition you have won so far?

Ribesh: I started my gym at 2010 at Mahananda sporting club, Siliguri. After six months there, my coach and trainer Papu Roy sent me to a bodybuilding competition where I got out number of times and from that time till 2014 I didn't get a good place in body-building.

After 2014, I started playing for Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) when I came 2nd in the Eastern India Competition in 2014 at Darjeeling. Thereafter, I won many titles, including Mr Darjeeling overall champion in 2014, three consecutive gold medalist in Eastern India in 2015, 2016, and 2017; Asia's super show International Health and Fitness Festival Sheruclassic Male model 2016 overall runner-up silver medalist; Fit-factor Body-power Expo-Regional 2nd place finisher at fitness model Kolkata 2016; Mr Siliguri 2017 overall champion bodybuilding and this year biggest achievement Mr India senior National 2nd place(Silver medal) in 60kg bodybuilding and 3rd place (bronze) in men's physique (below 170 cm) 2017. 

TheDC: How did your family object or support your decision?

Ribesh: My family supports me a lot, they pull me up sometimes since bodybuilding is a very expensive game but over all they have been encouraging... I spent all my savings on acquiring necessary fitness instruments and my family was sceptic about my plan (to join the gym). However, after winning few titles, my family appeared happy and that is what made me happy and kept me pushing thus far.

TheDC: What are some of the major challenges you have faced in this field?

Ribesh: Body-building is a very expensive game. One  needs to spend a lot of money (in it), remain dedicated, follow strict diet routine, work extra hard... I remember working out for 6 hours in a day before the competition... As such you have to get out of your comfort zone. Besides, I faced financial problems many times initially.

TheDC: How do you overcome these challenges?

Ribesh: Thanks to my friends and brothers who helped me - Jairaj Pradhan, Shadab Qureshi, Khalid Khan, Alvarun Chettri da Anit Thapa da, Neeraj Zimba da, G. B. Giri sir (my teacher and mentor) who always believed in me, inspired  and helped me without whose  blessings I would not have come this far. My friends im the army for always motivating me and inspiring me. And especially my family and their blessings.

TheDC: What message do you want to share with youngsters, who want to follow on your footsetps?

Ribesh: I want to advise our youngsters to join gym because it is good for health, and fitness too. Gym helps you to groom your personality, you look a little different from normal people... Joining gym also helps in getting out of bad habits automatically. Infact, after joining gym, when you want to indulge in any bad things, first thing that comes to your mind is you
have to attend the gym... Stay fit, stay healthy, live fit and make others fit. Let's make a chain and make everyone fit because if we youths are fit then everyone will be fit.

TheDC: What are your future plans?

Ribesh: As of now, I am an instructor at Sculpt Nation Gym, Kurseong, and look forward to taking up new challenges ahead.

Congratulations, Ribesh! We are all proud of you and inspired by your story of extraordinary zeal, commitment, and determination.

TheDC Note of Acknowledgment: We are most thankful to Nehal Giri for sharing Ribesh's story and for helping us in touching base with him.