From judo to aerobicsRashmi Rao
Professionally trained under Russian and European judo coaches, Najib was the national champion from Karnataka for seven years.
He’s a former Olympian who has represented Karnataka and India in national and international events, respectively, in judo. Now, he motivates others to keep fit with aerobics. A unique combination in a city that has just latched itself to the fitness bandwagon. Bangalore’s own Najib Aga’s list of accomplishments is impressive. A sporting career spanning 20 years, began around the age of 10, when most other boys his age opted for neighbourhood cricket or football matches. By age 14, he had started representing India. Professionally trained under Russian and European judo coaches, Najib was the national champion from Karnataka for seven years. He represented the country at the Asian Championships (1995), Atlanta Olympics (1996) and Commonwealth Championships (’96). Among the awards he has won are the Ekalavya Award (’93) and the PM’s Outstanding Sportspersons Awards, ’95 and ’96.
“Judo interested me as a form of martial arts. Gradually, I took it up as a sport,” says Najib. A ligament tear after the Olympics put the brakes on his career as a judoka. But he bounced back into the field of fitness through aerobics. “At the time I started, aerobics was a very novel thing to do. There were hardly any instructors in Bangalore. I had undergone a surgery to repair my torn ligament and so decided to sign up for aerobics to strengthen my legs. I trained under a Chinese master instructor in the City. Soon I realised that it was a fun way of staying in shape,” he says. By his own admission, Najib wanted to “share his skills and knowledge gained through sports”. So he signed up as an instructor at Energy Gym (presently situated opp KSBA, Vasanthnagar) and has been conducting aerobics classes since eight years. “At this centre, we teach what we, as sportsmen, have mastered. Our USP is a former Olympian taking fitness classes,” he says, as his eyes gleam with pride. Ask him about aerobics and he waxes eloquent on the benefits. “Aerobics is like any other form of exercise, but with the advantage of music to motivate you. It helps relieve stress, gives flexibility and aids in weight loss.”
He’s a former Olympian who has represented Karnataka and India in national and international events, respectively, in judo. Now, he motivates others to keep fit with aerobics. A unique combination in a city that has just latched itself to the fitness bandwagon. Bangalore’s own Najib Aga’s list of accomplishments is impressive. A sporting career spanning 20 years, began around the age of 10, when most other boys his age opted for neighbourhood cricket or football matches. By age 14, he had started representing India. Professionally trained under Russian and European judo coaches, Najib was the national champion from Karnataka for seven years. He represented the country at the Asian Championships (1995), Atlanta Olympics (1996) and Commonwealth Championships (’96). Among the awards he has won are the Ekalavya Award (’93) and the PM’s Outstanding Sportspersons Awards, ’95 and ’96.
“Judo interested me as a form of martial arts. Gradually, I took it up as a sport,” says Najib. A ligament tear after the Olympics put the brakes on his career as a judoka. But he bounced back into the field of fitness through aerobics. “At the time I started, aerobics was a very novel thing to do. There were hardly any instructors in Bangalore. I had undergone a surgery to repair my torn ligament and so decided to sign up for aerobics to strengthen my legs. I trained under a Chinese master instructor in the City. Soon I realised that it was a fun way of staying in shape,” he says. By his own admission, Najib wanted to “share his skills and knowledge gained through sports”. So he signed up as an instructor at Energy Gym (presently situated opp KSBA, Vasanthnagar) and has been conducting aerobics classes since eight years. “At this centre, we teach what we, as sportsmen, have mastered. Our USP is a former Olympian taking fitness classes,” he says, as his eyes gleam with pride. Ask him about aerobics and he waxes eloquent on the benefits. “Aerobics is like any other form of exercise, but with the advantage of music to motivate you. It helps relieve stress, gives flexibility and aids in weight loss.”
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário