A new entrant to the bodybuilding scene has made a quick rise to the top.
Priyaanka Khatri, from New Plymouth, started entering bodybuilding competitions only two years ago but has placed first in all but one of her competitions so far.
Khatri is the current Miss Shape NZ – a class of the Natural Amateur BodyBuilding (NABBA) league – and was placed 5th in the Miss NABBA Universe competition in the Philippines recently.
NABBA has three classes of competition; physique, figure and shape and Khatri describes the shape class as being less focused on muscular aspects of the contestants’ bodies and more on attainable “shapely” bodies.
“I still have to train heavy weights like the physique and figure competitors,” she said.
“The main thing that changes between the classes is diet.”
Khatri won her first ever competition in June last year and now has her sights set on more competitors in Germany and U.S.
“I guess I just caught the bug after that first win,” she said.
“I went there to win.”
“It was just tunnel vision on my goal and I think you have to be like that to succeed in this sport.”
“If you’re not doing the right kind of training or dieting then it definitely does show on stage.”
Khatri said she thought bodybuilding was becoming more and more popular in New Zealand, especially the shape category.
“It’s a healthy category for people to start out in because anyone can do it without too much of a drastic change in lifestyle or diet,” she said.
“I love the healthy lifestyle and competing is sort of a way to celebrate that healthy living.”
Khatri said a lot of advice and support comes from her mother Farah Deobhakta, who has been competing in figure category competitors for more than 11 years.
Deobhakta said she got into bodybuilding after a car accident forced her into a gym for rehabilitation.
“I’m a doctor by profession and have studied as a personal trainer so I think a combination of that and my experience in competing has helped with Priyaanka’s success as well,” she said.
“Although culturally it is not something which is generally accepted in the indian community.”
“What she has accomplished in just two years is amazing though.”
Courtesy of: Taranaki Daily News