You might not know who Deepika Chowdhury is, but she has accomplished something remarkable. Deepika, the first Indian woman bodybuilder, is known as “the fierce, graceful warrior.” Her journey from a molecular biologist to a famous athlete is truly inspiring. Continue reading to learn more about Deepika and her untold success story.
Early Life and Education
Deepika Chowdhury was born in Pune, Maharashtra. She has been an athlete since childhood, competing in numerous track and field events as a young girl. However, after completing her studies, she pursued a career in science. Deepika holds a Master’s in Biotechnology and has worked as a molecular biologist.
Introduction to Bodybuilding
Deepika’s husband inspired her to hit a gym once in 2012. Initially, she was interested in more basic workouts, but eventually, she started resistance training under her trainer’s guidance. Deepika started learning about different exercises and became interested in the world of bodybuilding. It dawned on her that she loved the idea of literally sculpting her body through hard workouts.
Inspiration and Early Competitions
It was around this time that Deepika decided to take a big leap towards her newfound passion by visiting the Sheru Classic, one of India’s premier bodybuilding tournaments, in Delhi. This is because she was also influenced by the best International athlete, Shannon Dey. Deepika wanted to train hard and have a well-toned physique like Shannon, who was described as muscular but also having an attractive tight look by Deepika. She became interested in competitive bodybuilding and took certification courses to study proper form.
Breakthrough and International Success
She then competed at the 2013 Fort Lauderdale Cup, her first international competition, held in Florida, USA. However, to everyone’s surprise, she won the ‘figure category’ in her debut tournament! It was a morale booster for Deepika. Over the subsequent years, she paid her way to travel to America and fight in more contests. Deepika won all five tournaments she participated in by sheer grit and hard work.
Achieving Professional Status
It was during that American circuit touring that she kept doing fantastically, and with that, Deepika became a prominent figure. Eventually, in 2016, she was selected by the International Federation of Bodybuilding (IFBB) and awarded a ‘pro card’, an honour that carries weight among bodybuilders. And here, Deepika created history by becoming the first Indian woman to get a pro card.
Challenges and Dedication
You would be amazed to know that Deepika Dev spent a lot of money on bodybuilding from her savings! She had very little sponsorship, and regardless, she maintained her focus on her dream. Deepika, for instance, continues to pursue her training even today, working as a research assistant. She gets up at 5 a.m. every morning for cardio and goes to the gym after work, where she lifts weights for two hours. Her diet comprises just the right amount of healthy proteins, carbs, and supplements.
Inspiration for Future Generations
She inspires many young girls in India who want to take up a sport. Her successes have paved the way for other women to follow their dreams without hesitation. In India, bodybuilding is still considered to be a ‘taboo’ for girls, but Deepika’s achievement is now changing the face of it. She wants her sport to be intense in the country and hopes there can be another two or three more champions from here. Deepika now aspires to be one of the qualifiers for Ms. Olympia, if not this year, in the coming years.
