It is time for Greek gods to move aside because one look at Thakur Anoop Singh will tell you just how discipline and dedication can sculpt the human body. A former pilot who was forced to ground himself after the 2008 global recession, Anoop won the gold medal in the recently held world bodybuilding meet in Bangkok.

While Indians are not usually known to have the physique to match their international counterparts in such competitions, Anoop not just matched but bettered the field of competition. At 6 feet, he finished first among 70 athletes from as many as 43 different countries taking part in the event.

While a fantastic achievement in itself, Anoop has touched several highs in the highly competitive world of bodybuilding. He finished third at the Mr Asia event recently. In Bangkok though, he managed the gold in the “fitness physique” category of the seventh WBPF World Bodybuilding and Physique Championships. That he had promised to win the medal before even leaving for Thailand shows just how confident he was in his preparation – one that requires unimaginable commitment.