AGAINST ALL ODDS

Life isn't always smooth sailing or a bed of roses. To quote the classic film "Forrest Gump", it is more like a box of chocolates, whereby you never know what you're gonna get. And the true test of a man's character comes when in the face of adversity, whether would he crumble under the surmounting pressures and negativity, or channel his inner strength and motivation to emerge triumphant. Where there's a will, there's always a way. And Senior Manhunt finalists Dylan Huan and Rajesh Ramalingam are living proof of that age old saying.

Unbeknownst to most, it was a harrowing tragedy that got the 35 year old personal trainer Dylan started on his road to muscled glory. It was nearly two decades ago when the then scrawny 1.71m 55kg schoolboy was walking along the street with a buddy, when they were savagely attacked by a group of four menacing gangsters for no apparent reason! While his friend narrowly managed to escape, Dylan unfortunately got pinned under a tree by one of the ruffians, and viciously kicked in the eye, which had barely healed from a sports injury at the time.

As it turned out later, it was a case of mistaken identity. However, that was of no comfort to his family or Dylan, whose multiple injuries landed him in the hospital, where he had to undergo serious eye surgery and thereafter, a recuperation period that spanned 3 months! Upon his recovery, Dylan returned to school, resolved to no longer be the victimized skinny kid. Adopting a stringent diet of oatmeal thrice a day, together with an intensive gym regiment, he soon bulked up 30kgs of hard-earned muscles, becoming one of the biggest and strongest kids on the schoolyard! Finally, his days of being intimidated and bullied by street thugs were a thing of the past.

Meanwhile, those growing up years had not been without its fair share of hard knocks as well for 31 year old, 1.83m, 78kg public servant and freelance model Rajesh. Having missed the mark with his GCE `O’ Level academic scores back in 1999, not only did this setback not get him down, but instead, it spurred him on with the determination to do whatever it takes to earn his way into university against all odds.

Taking his first step towards success, Rajesh made the best out of his situation then by enrolling into ITE (Institute of Technical Education) Bishan. His good grades in his Certificate in Business Studies (Accounting) thereafter earned him a coveted spot in Singapore Polytechnic’s Business School, where he then continued his academic journey towards a Diploma in Business Administration. Unwavering in his intent on fulfilling his dream, Rajesh went on to ace the cohort, making it to the top 5% with his tertiary grades, and finally realizing his wish of being accepted into and graduating from the Bachelor in Business Administration program at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Whether be it physical transformation or academic excellence, these two Senior Manhunt finalists have shown that as long as you dedicate your heart and mind into your pursuits, there is nothing you cannot achieve. And it is with this mantra that they enter Senior Manhunt Singapore 2013, with personal aspirations to succeed in yet another breakthrough in their lives, creating their indelible mark in the world of pageantry.

Photos Credit:

Beam Artistes Pte Ltd (www.beam.com.sg),
Photography by Barry Seah Photography
PPi :: Print | Photography | Ideas
(http://ppideas.wix.com/ppideas
https://www.facebook.com/barry.seahphotography)
The Makeover Inc.
(http://www.themakeoverinc.com.sg/index.htm
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Makeover-Inc/145085108885779)