The journey of Sadaananda Gogoi: From Nazira to World Championship

Hrishikesh Sarma

(The writer can be reached at hriskikeshsarma@gmail.com)

Let us know of the real (not the reel) odyssey of Sadaananda Gogoi. He hails from Assam; and presently lives at Vashi Navimumbai.

We are trying to encompass his forays into bodybuilding; and what he gained from it. You are going to love this story.

Now, Sadaananda is 76 years old! Still, he is very health conscious. He is an inspiration to many others of the so-called 'Z generation'. Your's truly enjoyed the recent opportunity to exchange views with Gogoi on his life story.

He shared his memories over the phone.

"I am a small-town boy from Nazira in Assam. I dared to Dream' and make a name in the National Bodybuilding Champion way back in 1975.

"I was born at Bamunpukhuri TE (Tea Estate), in Nazira, Sibsagar, Assam on September 1, 1946.

"Our small town lacked many essential facilities for the upcoming generation. We longed for a modern gymnasium, mentors, coaches, and nutritionists."

Gogoi continued, "As the popular saying goes "If you focus on a particular dream it will be fulfilled. God sends His angels to create an opportunity. One rainy afternoon, I was lying in the living -room sofa and looking at my first bodybuilding picture. It had my profile with the 'Mr Sibsagar' trophy that I had been honoured with. Then, I compared it with the photograph of 'Mr America-1968' — Jim Haislop.

"Finally, I made up my mind. I started dreaming of leaving my home State — Assam — to get better trained in a state-of-the art environment. This is how my body-building journey began from being a small town boy to the Mr India (Masters) stage.

Myth Unfold:

"I don't believe in age,

I believe in Energy, Don't let age dictate,

What you can do or cannot do..."

I was a part of the celebration of the 19th anniversary of the 'One Above Gym' at Vashi Navimumbai on March 19, 2021.The photos accompanying this write-up were taken on that very day. Unfortunately the COVID-induced lockdown started across Maharashtra from April 2, 2021.

"I believe that the ageing process can be deferred with proper weight training and proper nutrition. Today at the age of 75 years, I am still a gym lover. I am into hardcore weight training. I consider myself very lucky to get an opportunity to be trained at 'One Above Gym', Vashi, Navimumbai."

The bodybuilder from Assam further said, "When I recall my earlier days of bodybuilding at my small town in Assam there was nothing. I wish I could have got trained with these modern scientifically-designed weight training machines then

I have started bodybuilding quite lately. During my college days in the DHSK Commerce College in Dibrugarh during 1966-69, nobody would have imagined that I would come this far — from being 'Mr Sibasagar-1973' to be the five-time winner of the 'Mr India (Masters) from 1997-2001. I have also represented India in several international bodybuilding competitions – five Times in the 'Mr. Asia (Masters); and once in 'Mr. World (Masters) Body Building Championship' at Barcelona, Spain in 1998.

"I am sure many of my college friends of 1966-69 times, our B. Commerce batch mates will be amazed to know that the unknown little boy from Nazira would one day step into 'World Stage'.

"It is very unfortunate that one of my best friends who had won the 'Mr DHSK Commerce College (in Dibrugarh), during 1967 and 1968 is no more with us today. I am also not being able to keep track of the other friends who graduated in 1969 from, our alma mater."

I remember one story while penning this write-up. It is about my HS (Higher Secondary) stage. My parents had decidesd to get me enrolled in the 'DHSK Commerce College ,Dibrugarh'. I was thrilled for the reason that I will be in a city like Dibrugarh for three years. In those days of 1969 the Kanoi College building attracted me like a magnet. It was a beautiful campus; I fell in love with the sprawling building in the college brochure. When I entered the college premises and walked in the institution's corridors in the first evening, I came across an Olympic-style parallel bar. I did a few dips there. I was thrilled because the parallel bar at home where we used to carry out our sessions was made from bamboos.

Something magical happened that evening in 1966 at the Kanoi College premises. Suddenly, I sensed that someone was whispering in my ear when I was touching that Olympic-size parallel bar. Today, when I am recalling those moments, this experience again reminds me that I was destined to be in the National and International Bodybuilding Stages. But nothing extraordinary happened in bodybuilding area during my college days. I was not exclusively into bodybuilding then. I was into Athletics as a long-distance runner. I was also into recitation, dramatics, and story writing. I was honoured as the best literary competitor. Bodybuilding had gone into the backburner.

"To cut the long story short, after graduation I got a job in Nagaland even before my graduation results were declared. I was in Nagaland for two years. There I had the company of a friend who loves bodybuilding. We got a weightlifting set from Jorhat and start training in the evening. We had the amazing experience of muscles pumping. Previously , we lacked any knowledge of bodybuilding, nutrition and all those related things.

"After leaving Nagaland, I joined ONGC, Assam in my home town Nazira. Then I come across a few bodybuilders and came to know about various bodybuilding competitions. I won my first Bodybuilding Championship as 'Mr Sibsagar' in 1973. I still remember that magical evening in the 'Natya Mandir', Sibsagar. Those clappings, cheering and praising probably further determined my journey into arena of Bodybuilding. After that I had won the 'Mr PG, Guahati University in 1973-1974. I was getting restless to move ahead in the competitive bodybuilding arena.

"It so happened that one of my best friends H. K. Borgohain who had joined the IAF (Indian Air Force) and start winning major bodybuilding championship across India. He won the 'Mr India' title (probably seven times) and represented India in the Mr Asia & Mr. World Bodybuilding Championship. Whenever he used to visit me he came to my home and told the exciting stories of the bodybuilders and the bodybuilding championships.

"I would like to mention here a point regarding the north-eastern genetics. We are blessed with this genetics; and that is why, there are many champion body builders, boxers, arm-wrestlers, from the Northeast region.

"When I was dreaming to be in the 'National Bodybuilding' competitions, after listening to all the motivating story of my dear friend — Borgohain, then God created an opportunity for me to proceed to Calcutta where I was posted. That time Calcutta was the Mecca for bodybuilding and football. The real journey of bodybuilding begins here under the guidance of Monotosh Roy – 'Mr. Universe-1958'.

"In 1977, I flew to Tezpur and won 'Mr Assam-1977'. I love this city of Tezpur for its beauty and the hospitality of the people there. I got the first prize in my Group – 'Mr Guahati University Competition — 1973-74' in the the 'Inter College Sports Festival' hosted by Darrang College and also bagged the 'Mr. Assam' title in 1977 in Tezpur. After returning from Tezpur with the 'Mr Assam' title, I won the 'Mr Desabandhu Shree' title in Calcutta. Then I got a promotion along with a transfer to ONGC Mumbai, the 'City of Dreams'.

Mumbai has really moulded me as a bodybuilder. I won many bodybuilding championships there. I won the 'Mr. Bombay (Masters) – nine times; 'Mr Maharashtra (Masters)' – also nine times; 'Mr. Western India (Masters) – 4 times and also flew to several countries for my International Championships. I have represented India in the 'Mr Asia (Masters) — 4 Times during 1997 to 2000; Vietnam; Taiwan; Hongkong; and Korea Mr World (Masters) in the year 1998 at Barcelona, Spain.

"I will always remain grateful to Greater Bombay Bodybuilding Association, Maharashtra Bodybuilding Association, and Indian Bodybuilding Federation.

In a nutshell this is my story if bodybuilding. I left my competitive bodybuilding in the year 2003. But I am still continuing my bodybuilding training.

"Joy of Fitness": Today I am 75 and still continuing body building training. You can judge my youthfulness from the photographs and the video. Friends in the Gym don't believe my age. They say that at the most you look like 45-50 .It is a big complement for me. If at the age of 75 you look like 45 and with the same kind of enthusiasm of a 45 year old in every sense. This is the magic key of anti-aging we all have. I always emphasized in three things if you really want to enjoy your life with a young physique, young mind and a young heart. The three things are: Desire, Discipline, and Dedication.

Believe me I don't eat any magic food or any supplements. I have never touched steroid in my life. I did my Bodybuilding in a Natural way. I request to all those gym going guys that not to fall into the trap of age. "My principle is Any Age is Good Age to Begin with. I am also firm believer of yoga, pranayama and meditation, I do practice regularly all three. I hope I am inspiring you all.

"A small town boy like me who dreamt to be in the National Bodybuilding Stage has done all this braving all odds. Be a dream chaser, any dream and follow the dream relentlessly, eventually and you will achieve it.

"I am really looking forward to more people to listen to my story and get inspired.

"Everybody wants to leave a positive story for the generation next so that the new generation get the inspiration and channelize their energy in a healthy way. We need a healthy Assam. Believe me there will be many more Lovlina and Hima Das if we focus in this front and create proper infrastructure for developing of our youth.

If anyone needs any guidance for fitness lifestyle please don't hesitate to contact me."