Mr Fiji: ‘Proud Of My Success’

When Suva bodybuilder, Nilesh Chand, suffered a serious knee injury in 2007, doctors told him he would never play sports again.

Chand tore his meniscus/cartilage and posterior cruciate ligament PCL during a casual volleyball match and needed surgery to treat it.

What followed was a strict rehabilitation programme that entailed light leg exercises at the gym to strengthen the knees and quads.

Ironically, this is where Chand’s dream of becoming a bodybuilder was first born.

“I started enjoying my regular visits to the gym and it became a habit,” he said.

Nearly 12 years on, the 42-year-old is planning to go pro after winning the coveted Mr Fiji crown earlier this month.

Chand started competing in 2013, enjoying decent success in various international and local amateur shows.

His target, however, was to win the iconic Mr Fiji title which is no easy feat.

Chand competed at the NZIFBB Pro League Waikato Champs 2019 and returned in tip-top shape three weeks out from Mr Fiji.

But the Fiji Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation moved the show without an explanation, forcing athletes to extend their diet and training programmes.

Chand stayed the course, despite the financial demands of the sport, and it paid off in the end.

“I had been dreaming of winning this competition since 2012 when I started bodybuilding. It was a hard and historic win and I’m very proud of my achievement,” he said.

Chand’s next target is to win a pro card and compete professionally on an international level.

He will need to win at international shows to achieve that target, something only one Fijian bodybuilder – Zoheb Razak - has managed to do.

“I always dream big and I know I can live up to it,” Chand said.

Fiji Shows

Fiji Games (under 70kg) 2013 - Gold

Mr. Suva (under 70kg) 2013 - GoldMr. Fiji (under 70kg) 2013 - Gold

Mr. Suva (under 70kg) 2014 - Silver

Mr. Fiji (under 70kg) 2014 - Gold

Fiji Games (under 70kg) 2014 - Silver

Mr. Fiji (under 70kg) 2015 - Gold

Mr. Fiji (under 75kg) 2016 - Silver

Mr. Fiji (masters over 40yrs) 2019 - Gold

Mr. Fiji (under 80kg) 2019 - Gold

Mr. Fiji Overall Title -2019

International shows

NZIFBB Northland Champs bodybuilding (under 80kg) 2016 - Gold

NZIFBB Northland Champs Classic Physique (class B) 2016 - Gold

NZIFBB Northland Champs bodybuilding (novice) - Gold

NZIFBB Nationals Champ Classic Physique (class B) 2017 - Silver

NZIFBB Nationals Champ Bodybuilding (novice) 2017 - Gold

NZIFBB Pro League Fiji PRO/AM bodybuilding (under 80kg) 2018 - Gold

NZIFBB Pro League Fiji PRO/AM bodybuilding (overall open) 2018 - Bronze

NZIFBB Pro League Fiji PRO/AM Classic Physique (class B) 2018 - Silver

NZIFBB Pro League Waikato Champs 2019

Masters over 40yrs - Gold

Open Class under 80kg - Silver

Classic Physique class B - Bronz

NZIFBB Pro League National Champ 2019

Masters over 40yrs - Silver

Open Class under 80kg - Bronze

Edited by Osea Bola

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