Tiny, toothless but still ripped, a former Mr. Universe turns 100

Former Mr. Universe Manohar Aich turned 100 this weekend, and the 4'11" body builder says the secret to a long life is not taking things too seriously. TODAY's Natalie Morales reports.

Manohar Aich, the 1952 Mr. Universe, is tiny, toothless and proudly ripped. And as of Sunday, he is 100 years old, the Indian Express reported.  

Aich said the key to longevity, for him, has been a simple diet of milk, fruits and vegetables, along with rice, lentils and fish, the Associated Press reported. He refuses alcohol and tobacco.

He told the Indian Express that times have changed since his weightlifting heyday.


“These youngsters want the easy way out these days,” Aich said. “They don’t have the time and energy to go through the drills in an old-style gymnasium. They don’t worship their body.”

Aich vied for the Mr. Universe title in 1951 but lost. At the time, he had to travel the city, raising money to compete. The next year, at 4 feet, 11 inches, he snagged the title.

As a physical education instructor in the Indian Air Force, Aich was jailed for slapping a British officer for making an offensive remark, the Indian Express reported.

"In jail I used to practice on my own, without any equipment, sometimes for 12 hours in a day," he told the AP.

TODAY

Manohar Aich says the key to longevity, for him at least, has been a diet of milk, fruits and vegetables, along with rice, lentils and fish. He refuses alcohol and tobacco.

A friendly jailer started calling him India’s “Pocket Hercules.” He continued lifting weights until 2011, when he suffered a stroke, the Indian Express reported.  

He told the AP that among his regrets in life was that he never met another Mr. Universe winner – Arnold Schwarzenegger, the movie star turned California governor.

"I like the incredible stunts he does in the movies," Aich said.

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Happy Birthday, Mr. Universe '52!

(I'd have a little more respect for Arnold Schwarzenegger if he'd pay the guy a visit.)

  • 66 votes
#1 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 6:18 PM EDT

It would not surprise me one bit if Schwarzenegger did just that, or in the alternative sent his plane to pick the guy up and bring him to CA so they can meet.

From the picture is looks like this guy still has some respectable muscle tone under that wrinkled 100 year old skin of his.

  • 36 votes
#1.1 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 6:31 PM EDT

Agreed, that would be wonderful if they could meet.

  • 17 votes
#1.2 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 6:41 PM EDT

At 100, the old timer seems like he can still go toe to toe with today's steroid infested humanoids...

I wonder how many steroid users will live to be 100, considering steroids cause liver toxicity.

  • 38 votes
#1.3 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 6:51 PM EDT

''Among his regrets in life was that he never met another Mr. Universe winner – Arnold Schwarzenegger''.

How do you tell an 100 yr old that Arnold Schwarzenegger is basically an a$$hole ....

  • 31 votes
#1.4 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:17 PM EDT

Yep, I think Mr S should visit the guy too.

  • 6 votes
#1.5 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:20 PM EDT

I like how the article explained who Arnold is "the movie star, turned California Governor." Thanks for clearing that up.

  • 6 votes
#1.6 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:36 PM EDT

You all are setting California up for an expensive trip to pay for.

  • 2 votes
#1.7 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:38 PM EDT

A little creativity... such as a plate dinner with Arnold and this old dude they could pay for the trip and make money at it.

    #1.8 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:46 PM EDT

    That guy should be happy that Arnold the A-hole has never visited him...

    • 6 votes
    #1.9 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 9:01 PM EDT

    Maybe Mr. Schwarzenegger didn't realize the guy wanted him to visit... ?

    Not a fan of Arnold anymore but c'mon he's not a mind reader.

    • 4 votes
    #1.10 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 9:16 PM EDT

    If Arny hears about it he will do it.

    • 1 vote
    #1.11 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:26 PM EDT

    Never strike a British officer.

    Unless you're American.

    • 4 votes
    #1.12 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:30 PM EDT

    ://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Great-Manohar_aich.1952.jpg

    Here is a pic of him in his glory. Nice story. Happy Birthday!

    • 10 votes
    #1.13 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:43 PM EDT

    @ freedman1

    ...and in an airplane

      #1.14 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 11:00 PM EDT

      @Newscover,

      How do you tell a 100 year old body builder that his idol arnold, is more wrinkled than he is?

      • 5 votes
      #1.15 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 11:06 PM EDT

      Judas, it doesn't really matter the conveyance, if there even is one. The Brits all know that Princes and Princesses and Knights are great fairy tales - but to never ever mess with an American.

      Ask one.

      • 1 vote
      #1.16 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 11:24 PM EDT

      "He refuses alcohol and tobacco" & I'll assume from his respect for his body and distain for guys taking short-cuts, that he also refused steroids. He really must have great strength of character; he stood up to a British officer at a time when it could have meant his life and he's still showing discipline in his character. Working out until he's 99yrs old - pretty impressive. Happy 100th B-day.

      • 4 votes
      #1.17 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 11:58 PM EDT

      newscover...how do we tell Mr Universe that you are a dbag.

        #1.18 - Mon Mar 19, 2012 12:32 AM EDT

        Here is a pic of him in his glory.

        And he looks totally natural, unlike the steroid junkies that compete these days.

        • 1 vote
        #1.19 - Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:09 AM EDT
        Reply

        That is so cool, he looks to be in great shape too! Kudos to him.

        • 11 votes
        Reply#2 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 6:28 PM EDT

        I bet this guy's wang is less shriveled at 100 than those of the roid-heads posing nowadays. And how embarrassing is that for them?

        • 3 votes
        #2.1 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:15 PM EDT

        Eugene, maybe you can judge the wang competition. Where did that comment come from? This is a feel good story.

        • 4 votes
        #2.2 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:27 PM EDT

        @pc101

        This is a feel good story, and I think judging a wang competition for Eugene would make him er, uh "Feel Good".

        • 3 votes
        #2.3 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 11:15 PM EDT

        Did I trash-talk the old guy?

        *Rereads earlier post* Nope. My comment was an indictment of the "sport" today, and specifically his interest in Arnold.

        P.S: If I was interested in judging wangs, I wouldn't need Mr. Universe contestants. I could just read msnbc comments. You folks make that real easy :|

        • 1 vote
        #2.4 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 11:26 PM EDT

        Eugene Saxe why would his wang even enter your thoughts? Obviously observing on it.

          #2.5 - Mon Mar 19, 2012 12:36 AM EDT
          Comment author avatarShauna Meyersvia Facebook

          Tehe Eugene Saxe, your comment got a giggle out of me. I bet if he read it, he would proudly agree with you.

            #2.6 - Thu Mar 22, 2012 1:25 AM EDT
            Reply

            "I like the incredible stunts he does in the movies," Aich said.

            1. Arnold uses a stunt double.

            2. Ever heard of a guy called Jackie Chan?

            Still its pretty awesome that he's managed to stay in such great shape at that age.

            • 4 votes
            Reply#3 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 6:34 PM EDT

            Sorry to intrude on your bubble, but Arnold has done many (or all) of his own stunts because he thinks it is more believable. You can google it.

            • 8 votes
            #3.1 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:24 PM EDT

            @EEK the EEK
            I wonder what Peter Kent (Schwarzenegger's stunt double) would think of that.

            • 11 votes
            #3.2 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:31 PM EDT

            Owned.

              #3.3 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:01 PM EDT

              Howdy Jon

              I did not mean to imply that Mr. S has never had a stunt double; I know he has had at least two; the aforementioned Peter Kent (14 of Schwarzenegger's films) and Billy Lucas (Terminator, True Lies, Collateral Damage, perhaps others as well). It has been my understanding, however, that Schwarzenegger has done MOST of his own stunts primarily because a stunt double was difficult to find for him. It is also my understanding from another article that he will be doing the stunts in the movie (Last Stand) he is working on right now. Maybe Peter Kent will do some of the stunts and maybe he won't; Schwarzenegger has said he doesn't need a stunt double for this upcoming movie.

              But this is really not associated with the article and I apologize for that. I think Arnold should visit Mr. Aich in the very near future. And there should be LOTS of photos taken.

              • 2 votes
              #3.4 - Mon Mar 19, 2012 1:45 PM EDT
              Reply

              As a physical education instructor in Indian Air Force,Aich was jailed for slapping a British officer for making an offensive remark, the Indian Express reported.

              Sounds like my kind of guy.

              • 22 votes
              Reply#4 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:03 PM EDT

              Yeah I pretty much fell in love with the guy after that sentence. 8itch slapped a Brit for thinking hes superior. This is at a time when Britain pretty much owned India. Dude has cajones.

              • 1 vote
              #4.1 - Mon Mar 19, 2012 10:43 AM EDT
              Reply

              They had no cameras at the 1952 Mr. Universe competition?

              • 9 votes
              Reply#5 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:06 PM EDT

              what? too lazy to Google it?

              • 3 votes
              #5.1 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:12 PM EDT

              Why would you write a story about the winner of the 1952 Mr. Universe and not show a picture of him at his coronation? that is what I call lazy journalism.

              • 15 votes
              #5.2 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:44 PM EDT

              It might of cost them money for rights to print the photo.

              • 1 vote
              #5.3 - Mon Mar 19, 2012 1:55 AM EDT

              stc1993:

              "might HAVE cost them..." Sorry. That error is my pet peeve.

              • 1 vote
              #5.4 - Mon Mar 19, 2012 10:18 AM EDT

              Thanks, learn something new everyday. I was never any good at composition. My worst subject at school 36 yrs ago. lol

                #5.5 - Mon Mar 19, 2012 11:33 PM EDT
                Reply

                Happy birthday to a hard working man whose title was genuinely earned!

                • 9 votes
                Reply#6 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:12 PM EDT

                He looks great for his age, but if there's anything "ripped" now, it'll require a doctor visit!

                • 2 votes
                Reply#7 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:19 PM EDT

                He was a pretty good looking guy! :-)

                • 3 votes
                #7.1 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:36 PM EDT

                He looks better at 100 than a lot of people I've seen in their 70s

                Also, he's got better muscles than some people I know in their 20s.

                • 2 votes
                #7.2 - Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:26 AM EDT
                Reply

                more power to this man!!

                • 1 vote
                Reply#9 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:46 PM EDT

                I'm in my fifties, but, I believe I could take him........

                • 2 votes
                Reply#10 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:02 PM EDT

                Happy birthday venerated sir.

                • 3 votes
                Reply#11 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:08 PM EDT

                Congratulations on having a wonderful life Mr Aich... Happy Birthday!

                God Bless You!

                • 2 votes
                Reply#12 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:13 PM EDT

                I read the whole article and don't remember him saying he had a "wonderful life", infact, it says he did some jail time....oh' that's right, doing time is a "badge of honor" in America now days. This is the country were we celebrate failure and filth while we condemn achivement and commitment to what is moral and right.

                • 2 votes
                #12.1 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:31 PM EDT

                Eric... did you read why he did jail time? Don't even know how long the jail time was. Maybe it was five years... maybe it was a few months. The man was Mr Universe. that is his badge of honor.

                So eric... do you have anything memorable that you have done that deserves world wide recognition of accomplishment? Let me guess. You don't even have a gym membership!

                • 5 votes
                #12.2 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:50 PM EDT

                Don't get your panties all wound up in your crack Eric. He slapped an officer for mouthing off back in the day. Be lucky you haven't screwed up with all the laws they have these days. Maybe you have and just haven't got caught.

                • 2 votes
                #12.3 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:52 PM EDT

                He still might be in jail...the article sure isn't clear about it.

                  #12.4 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 9:02 PM EDT

                  You read the whole article but forgot to read the part that says "Aich was jailed for slapping a British officer for making an offensive remark." I would have slapped that British officer with my rifle.

                  • 2 votes
                  #12.5 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 9:16 PM EDT

                  Eric

                  So umm, you read the whole article huh? I'm teaching some ESL students this summer. We'll be doing a lot of work on reading comprehension. I strongly urge you to join.

                    #12.6 - Mon Mar 19, 2012 9:41 PM EDT
                    Reply

                    If Joe Weider is still around (he's alive, but at 92 I don't know what shape he is in, whether he is in as good of shape as this guy at 100), Joe should get on the phone to Ahhnuld and tell him to get his @$$ on a plane to meet and greet this man ASAP!

                    • 2 votes
                    Reply#13 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:19 PM EDT

                    It's probably all obama's fault. I put that in for the idiot repukes that have to make EVERYTHING about our President.

                      Reply#14 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:27 PM EDT

                      Nothing in this article is obamas fault, unless he was born in India. On the other other hand...it's ignorant voters like you who are at fault. You sattled this country with an incompetent idiot that couldn't fix a basketball game let alone this countries problems, and you're likely dumb enough to vote for him again.

                      • 3 votes
                      #14.1 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:35 PM EDT
                      Comment author avatarRalphy-3621546Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

                      Eric,you my friend are an idiot if you think Bush or Obama have any power.You may want to do a bit of research on the subject.

                        #14.2 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:48 PM EDT

                        Stop the Fed, you could not help yourself. You poor schmuck, oh never mind son, I can't help you.

                          #14.3 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:33 PM EDT

                          I never criticize a person's spelling or grammar unless they are using it to be inflammatory or call other people stupid. Seriously, Eric ... that should be kind of embarrassing for you. I suggest you choose insults that don't apply so aptly to yourself.

                          • 2 votes
                          #14.4 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 11:45 PM EDT

                          Eric and PC101, you guys are off topic. Eric, you are talking about "Eh, I don't know where he is. I'm not concerned about getting Bin Laden (then America's NO 1 ENEMY)" Bush II. And Bush's 2004 voters. I don't understand why you think our President Obama is INCOMPETENT??? Obama GOT Bin Laden, after Bush did NOT CARE. Three years ago the USA was losing 800,000 jobs a month and under Obama we have 2 straight years of job growth, 3 MILLION jobs added. Obama won the war in in Iraq. Obama bet on and saved the US auto industry and SAVED MILLIONS more jobs. Thirty years of GOP and Bush "policies" wrecked America and Obama saved Her.....but we have a LONG way to go.....More of Obama's "incompetencies", PLEASE!!!

                          And kidos to the 100 year old weight lifter.....by then EVERYBODY in my family would be dead.

                          • 3 votes
                          #14.5 - Mon Mar 19, 2012 2:25 AM EDT

                          You sattled this country with an incompetent idiot that couldn't fix a basketball game let alone this countries problem

                          Anyone ever notice that the people who slam Obama for being an idiot can't spell? I guess they really hate Muslins.

                          • 4 votes
                          #14.6 - Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:13 AM EDT
                          Reply

                          La Late news has a more detailed story on this man with photo. Hard to believe by the photo he was only 4'-11".

                          • 1 vote
                          Reply#15 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:34 PM EDT

                          here he is in 1952.

                          • 1 vote
                          Reply#16 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:39 PM EDT

                          His diet included Milk in our country they tell us to cut out dairy products. the rest of his diet was very healthy. meat was fish no red meat. Lentils, rice, fruits, veggies. Good diet. That would be an expensive diet to eat in the USA. Fresh fish expensive. Veggies, fruits fresh are expensive and hard to keep. It seems like these extrememly long lives are always in other countrys when our health care cost 100 times more than theirs.

                          • 4 votes
                          Reply#17 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:42 PM EDT

                          I never read anywhere that Pocket Hercules is a millionare. Put just a little effort in to your diet and it won't be expensive. First of all, the most widely consumed food on the planet, rice, is not pricey at all. If you really cared about your quality of life, you'd be buying canned veggies (rinse them of their preservative juices) and frozen fruits if you can't afford fresh. I find it interesting though that your on a computer and have internet...are you at a public library? If not, you have money but choose to eat over priced, over processed, convenient food, that in the long run will definitely cost alot more. The joke is on you because all of that "cheap" processed food is calorically dense food that will leave your body void of important nutrients and feeling hungry still, so you over eat--the wrong foods. Your so called "expensive" food like fruits and vegetables is nutritionally dense and satisfy what your body truly craves without overeating. Truth does hurt.

                          • 1 vote
                          #17.1 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:22 PM EDT

                          Oh yeah, and quit blaming the U.S. gov't for your laziness. Our country is being torn at the seams because of people with mentalities similar to yours. Healthcare would be cheaper if more people would take accountability for their lifestyle choices.

                          • 2 votes
                          #17.2 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:28 PM EDT

                          truthhurts, just keep popping them anti psychotics and keep downing them brewskies. Keep eating your low cost processed foods & lay on that couch all day smoking dope, because lord know's it is so expensive to eat natural healthy food and exercise. We will absorb your medical bills, no problemo.

                          • 2 votes
                          #17.3 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:39 PM EDT

                          Your longevity has more to do with your genes than anything else. You can live an active healthy lifestyle and still keel over from a heart attack at 30, its genes, genes, genes.

                            #17.4 - Mon Mar 19, 2012 11:47 PM EDT
                            Reply

                            Happy Birthday, Mr. Manohar Aich, Mr. Universe '52!

                              Reply#18 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:44 PM EDT

                              And for the uninformed who think a trip by Mr. Schwarzenegger would be expensive for California, you should probably know that Mr. S is no longer Governor, so it's not going to cost California any more to fly him to India for a personal visit than it would for him to visit the corner store.

                              • 1 vote
                              Reply#19 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:54 PM EDT

                              Yes, and when he was the governor he paid his own travel expenses as well.

                              • 2 votes
                              #19.1 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:06 PM EDT
                              Reply

                              I hope I'm as healthy as you are at 100. I'm impressed sir!

                                Reply#20 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:54 PM EDT

                                That guy is MINT!!

                                  Reply#21 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 9:02 PM EDT

                                  can find a picture of him in 1952 here.

                                  www. sandowplus.co.uk/India/Monohar/aich.htm

                                    Reply#22 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 9:05 PM EDT

                                    Hope I am doing this well at 100 years of age.

                                      Reply#23 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 9:05 PM EDT

                                      I hope the GOP don't take away His Viagra.

                                      • 1 vote
                                      Reply#24 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 9:06 PM EDT

                                      tryreality, you should try it sometime. No not viagra, reality.

                                      • 1 vote
                                      #24.1 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:41 PM EDT

                                      The GOP has nothing to do with him as he lives in India.

                                      • 1 vote
                                      #24.2 - Mon Mar 19, 2012 2:01 AM EDT
                                      Reply

                                      Hey truth hurts..

                                      Our boy says he doesn't touch booze and doesn't smoke. How much of our disposable income are we Americans spending on that part of our diet? I'm sure if Americans gave up the booze and smokes for a week, we could eat that every day.

                                      • 5 votes
                                      Reply#25 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 9:06 PM EDT
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