Mumbaikar Sham Rahate is Mr India

MUMBAI: Body builder Sham Rahate should have been at the Ravindra Natya Mandir on Thursday evening where the Shiv Chhatrapati awards were being given away.
That wasn''t possible because the problem of multiple associations has meant no awards coming the way of the state''s body builders. But Rahate has ensured that he will be there next year.
He claimed his maiden national title of Mr India, in the 85 kg category, at the 43rd Senior National Body Building Championship at Jorhat in Assam last week.The title will spur him on to international glory he says the muscleman supported by Percept D''Mark in the interview.
Excerpts:
Since when have you been doing body building?
I have been doing it for some 19 years now.
Did you expect this title?
I won the Mumbai Shree title last month, I had been Maharashtra Shree last year. I finished third at the Nationals last year. When I saw some of my rivals seeking other categories I knew I had a chance.
Who have been your role models?
The Mr Universe who was later banned Zimmerman looked good. But the best I like is Arnold (Schwarzenegger).
What did you learn from the Mumbai event?
I got talking with the top notchers and picked up things about diet and the like from them. It will help me in the future.
Won''t you also like to shine in a world field?
Of course. I couldn''t qualify for the Mumbai meet. I have been placed seventh at the last worlds in Malaysia. I will try and get selected again and surpass myself.