He’s a small but mighty centenarian.
A pint-sized Mr. Universe winner who began beefing up his muscles while doing time in a British colonial prison celebrated his 100th birthday in India Saturday.
Manohar Aich, nicknamed the Pocket Hercules because of his 4-foot-11 frame, said low stress and happiness in the face of adversity have kept him alive all these years.
“I never allow any sort of tension to grip me. I had to struggle to earn money since my young days, but whatever the situation, I remained happy,” said Aich, winner of the 1952 Mr. Universe title.
The toothless but chiseled bodybuilder was honored with a birthday feast in the Indian city of Kolkata, surrounded by his numerous children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In addition to a positive attitude, Aich said a basic diet including milk, veggies, fruits, fish and lentils kept him going strong.
The hard-bodied senior has also abstained from booze and cigarettes all his life.
Aich was a skinny kid, but discovered weightlifting upon joining the Royal Air Force under India’s British rulers in the early 1940s.
Some years later, when authorities threw him in prison for protesting colonialism, Aich spent nearly every waking moment building his monster physique.
“It was in the jail that I began weight training seriously. This helped me prepare myself for the world championship,” said Aich.
“In jail I used to practice on my own, without any equipment, sometimes for 12 hours in a day,” he said.
Aich was sprung once India gained independence in 1947, and despite extreme poverty, worked a series of jobs to support his bodybuilding hobby.
He won a Mr. Hercules contest in 1950, finished second in the Mr. Universe contest a year later and won the prestigious title in London in 1952.
Unable to lift weights because of a stroke he suffered last year, Aich still runs a gym with his sons and mentors Indian bodybuilders, including eight-time national champion Satya Paul.
Despite all his success, Aich has a major regret: never meeting Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“I like the incredible stunts he does in the movies,” Aich said.
With The Associated Press
kdeutsch@nydailynews.com
