Cover image via BarcroftTalk about overcoming your weaknesses!
Hailing from the city of Ludhiana in the Punjab state of India, he always dreamt of becoming a bodybuilding champion. In fact, he won his first trophy in a bodybuilding championship when he was just 13.
However, tragedy struck the young fitness enthusiast at the mere age of 15 when he was diagnosed with cancer in his lower spinal cord, and quickly underwent an operation which left him paralysed and bed-ridden for three long years.
Famously known as *Anand Arnold*, named after Arnold Schwarzenegger, the young Indian, however, didn't let his disability define him or hold him back from realising his childhood dream. In his own words, he made is weakness his strength.
Today, Anand Arnold is India's first wheelchair bodybuilder
A compilation of pictures show Anand through his ages of transformation.
Image via Anand Arnold/folomojo
Talking about his paralysis, Anand says, "after the operation, my chest was paralysed. I could just move my hands and nothing else." He added that "those three years were like hell for me".
Image via Barcroft
Image via Barcroft
Anand's intensive training helped regain his strength and he began to compete as India's first wheelchair bodybuilder.
In fact, he went on to win 3 Mr India titles, 12 Mr Punjab titles and 27 other major titles since he began competing again.
