Kottayam: The boy studying in eighth standard who was a menace to the local people at Varissery in the district some years ago attracted the attention of Gym Sura. He took the youngster to Olympic Gym in Kottayam for training. Others who frowned at Sura soon got a fitting reply. The youngster, Murali Kumar has so far won 51 prizes at body building competitions. The last title he won was his third Mr India. However, Murali is sad that his dear mentor Sura is no more.
Now, when Murali comes home during leave from the Navy, he goes around his native place as just another local man. He dedicates all his success to Kottayam.
Murali won his first title in the sub-junior category in tenth standard and there was no looking back. During his pre-degree classes, Murali became the Mr M G University. He joined C M S College in sports quota for degree and continued with his passion. It was here that Murali became Mr Kottayam and Mr South India. While doing his last year of the degree course, Murali was selected to the Navy and his training became truly professional from 2003.
Featured in Manorama
The first time Murali won the Mr India title was in 2008. The event held at Meerut coincided with Murali’s sister’s engagement in their native place. His sister, who was feeling dejected as Murali could not make it to the function, brightened up when the ‘Malayala Manorama’ newspaper landed at their house on the morning of April 6. The first page displayed photos Mr India Murali Kumar as well as Miss World India Parvathy Omanakuttan. Mini, Murali’s sister, could proudly show her brother’s photo in the newspaper to her fiancé.
At international venues
Murali has won the gold medal at the Mr Asia championship held in Vietnam in 2013 and the bronze at the Mr World meet hosted by Hungary. At present, Murali is stationed at Mumbai, home to several Bollywood musclemen. He is a master chief petty officer with the Indian Navy. Son of Unnikrishnan and Radha of Kalayil House, Varissery, Murali lives with his wife Divya and children Devananda and Devjith.
Work hard to build muscles
Even on the day after he won the Mr India title, Murali headed to the gym at 5.30 am. The ‘muscleman’ says it is strict adherence to his training schedule that is the secret of his success. “You cannot build muscles by visiting the gym for a few days. For that, systematic training under the guidance of expert trainers is needed,” he says.
