Describing Aich as a “legend of body building”, West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi also expressed his grief over the demise of the former Mr Universe. But the endeavour failed and a bankrupt Aich had to work for nearly three years in Oriental Circus to repay his loans.
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Manohar Aich won the Mr. Universe title in 1952, and was nicknamed “Pocket Hercules” due to his 4-feet, 11-inch frame.
Born in 1912 in the district of Tipperah, in what is now Bangladesh, Aich suffered an attack of leishmaniosis – a parasitic disease transmitted by the bite of sandflies – when he was 12.
The diminutive man took part in Mr. Universe for the first time in 1951 where he came second and in the next year, he bettered himself to win the historical title. Age couldn’t prove to be a deterrent for him as he performed even in his eighties and he did his last bodybuilding in 2003 at the age of 90.
Aich died at his home in Kolkata yesterday, his son told AFP by phone.
In 1951 he had finished second in the Mr Universe contest and he stayed back in London to have another go in the Pro-Short division of the Mr Universe contest, eventually winning it a year later.
He emerged from prison as India won its independence in 1947 and made a decision to settle in the eastern city of Kolkata, where he turned to selling coconuts for a living. A year later, he won the title in the amateur category. Aich had turned 104 on March 17.
“Learning is always fun at any age”, said Hirata in an article published by the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper.
That, and a simple diet of milk, fruits and vegetables along with rice, lentils and fish kept him healthy, he said.
Aich started training in 1942 during his tenure with the British Royal Air Force. “He never smoked, nor did he take alcohol”.
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Manohar Aich also tried his luck with politics.
