An Indian bodybuilder who lost his right leg to bone cancer is surprising everyone with his dedication for intense workouts, including deadlifts.
Mohit Kumar, 21, has won several Mr India bodybuilding competitions and is now training for the upcoming championship in Thailand.
The young lad stands at 6 feet and weighs just 105 lbs but can easily take up to 551 lbs on thighs and 110 pounds on chest.
Because of his awe-inspiring determination and confidence, Mohit has become a sensation in the bodybuilding world in India.
Everyone is in awe of me. Whether it is gym or competitions, people see me as an inspiration. They treat me special and respect me for my hard work. The feeling is amazing.Mohit Kumar, Bodybuilder
However, he admits the journey from hospital bed to the gym was not easy. Mohit was barely 14 years old when cancer attacked his right thigh.
He would often come home complaining of severe pain in his knees and sometimes head spins.
Oblivious to the severity of his condition, Mohit's father Mahendra Singh, 48, a railway ticket agent from Sonepat in Haryana in northern India, relied on quack doctors for months to relieve the pain.
However, the remedies did not help and Mohit's condition worsened. His leg swelled to twice its size and one day, he collapsed in school.
Mahendra Singh consulted doctors at government-run hospitals who found complications in his case and advised quick surgery.
The doctors removed the cancer stricken portion – one inch above the knee – and fit in a rod. However, four years later Mohit met with a bike accident in which the rod snapped.
Scared of getting an earful from his father, he kept the accident a secret from his family for two months. But the infection had spread to his whole leg by then.
When he was rushed to doctors, they feared the infection might reach his liver and kidneys and further threaten his life, and advised Mohit to amputate his leg.
Devastated with the advice, Mohit gave in to save his life. For six months, the then teen lay bedridden in hospital.
It was during his solitary days at the hospital that Mohit discovered the sport of bodybuilding and quickly got drawn to it.
He said, "Those six months were the most painful years in my life. It was not because I had lost a leg but I was also losing my confidence.”
However, Mohit's confidence was back when he read the story of Arunima Sinha – the first Indian amputee to have climbed Mount Everest.
Her story came as a great teacher. I realised when she can climb the Mount Everest I can definitely work out and play sports.Mohit Kumar, Bodybuilder
As soon as he got out of the hospital, Mohit started practising walking with his artificial limb. Within two months, he managed to balance on single leg and the third month, he went straight to the gym.
He started off with a 22-pound dumbell but due to his weakened body, he lacked strength. He kept coming to the gym and practised for four hours just lifting the dumbbells for ten minutes each set.
Mohit said: "I decided to build my core strength and for that I started working out two hours a day. Gradually I gained enough strength and stamina and now I can dead lift 120 kg, leg press and take up to 250 kg on thigh and 50 kg on chest."
Mohit warms up for two hours before exercising and is now working on building muscle weight.
I have won three golds, two bronze and two silver medals in bodybuilding competitions so far but my aim is to win the Mr World championship. The dream is big and the journey is long but I am working hard to achieve it. I only want support from the government as the sport is very expensive.Mohit Kumar, Bodybuilder
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