Sid, the skinny lad from Kerala, who is America's Mr Universe

Sid stood like a Greek god on an elaborate stage of the National Physique Committee (NPC) show in New York. He exuded confidence as he went through a series of choreographed routines, revealing his might. Then he bowed and offered a gentle namaskaram by bringing his hands together.

In one perfect motion, the 35-year-old displayed his magnificent Rear Lat Spread, chiselled abs, and revealed much about his identity on the big stage. "Thiruvananthapurath maram keri nadanna, noolu pole irunna payyan ayirunu njan (I was a skinny kid who hopped around trees in Thiruvananthapuram)," said Sid or Sidharth Balakrishnan in Malayalam. Perhaps there was a hint of an accent somewhere, not uncommon for someone who has lived in the US for 25 years, though one couldn't tell from how purely he pronounced the tricky name of Kerala's capital city.

Sid is the latest Malayali to win the Mr Universe title in bodybuilding, and the first Indian-American to become NPC's Men's Physique winner. Kochi native Chitharesh Natesan won the Mr Universe title at the World Bodybuilding and Physique Championships in South Korea in 2019.

Sidharth Balakrishnan with his family. Photo: Special Arrangement

For Sid, the Mr Universe title has earned him the coveted Pro Card, and he is now one pro show away from contesting in the Mr Olympia event, considered the pinnacle of bodybuilding. "In cricket terms, I have made it to the Indian team, and the next step is going to the World Cup." The cricket analogy should put to rest any lingering doubts over his Indianness.

ADVERTISEMENT

Sid was a late entrant to the highly competitive field of bodybuilding. He worked as a clinical psychologist for a short period, but didn't find joy sitting behind a desk. "I was always passionate about looking good and being in shape. I joined the US Navy when I was 18 and did a tour of Afghanistan. I followed a healthy lifestyle, so I thought, why not try it (bodybuilding) professionally?"

Balakrishnan wasn't going to stop his son from following bodybuilding as a career, but warned him of the perils of choosing an extremely demanding profession. "I told him it won't be easy and he must make a lot of sacrifices. He had to say a firm no to a lot of good food and be a stickler for discipline," Balu, as friends call him, said. The native of Kottayam and his wife, Uma from Thiruvananthapuram, moved to the US a quarter of a century ago with Sid and his sister Surya.

Sid understood his calling, perhaps more keenly than Balu had expected. "This lifestyle requires a lot of discipline. I even say no to my friends when they call me to go to a night party. For the last eight years, I haven't gone out after 9 pm. I stay home and set myself up for the next day."

The Beastified Gym in Kansas is his sanctuary, where he works three sessions. Sid eats six meals a day, but not one of those is a Kerala sadya, a rich variety of dishes typically cooked in coconut oil. "I'm a proper Malayali and I love our Malayali culture, minus the food (laughs heartily)."

ADVERTISEMENT

Sid lives in Overland Park in Kansas. He's married to an Italian-American, Korey, whom he regards as his biggest support. They have a daughter, Harley, who loves painting her father's toenails and understands some Malayalam, like 'sundari kutty' (beautiful little girl).

The family was together throughout Sid's NPC event, staying at a rental home in New York. "We started our drive from Dallas to New York with a lot of ifs and buts. Life has shown me that nothing is impossible if you put your 100 per cent into it. Now my son proved it again," Balu said.

"I remember him as a small baby who fit in my palm. I often lifted him above my head. Looking at him on the stage, I realised he doesn't need that lift anymore. The world has seen him."

With the Mr Universe title in the bag, Sid is back in the gym, hitting it with his trainer, Ariel Alberto. So, is he ready for the Olympia stage? "Do you think anyone asked Virat Kohli if he was ready for India when he got there the first time?" Sid retorts. "I am a kid from nowhere, who has got this far because I dream big and plan to make it happen. I want the kids out there to know this."

Click here to read article