“ I never thought that I would achieve something big in my life, but I pushed myself to be a better person.This is the best achievement ever and I offer my victory to my country, most specially to my state Manipur”

Manipur which is believed to be the power house of sports now has youths gaining and excelling in newer fields. This 21 year old, Vikas Usham, who stands 5’11 inch tall, is a fashion model who also has a magical hands with culinary skills and love travelling to places. 

This is not the first time India won this pageant. Earlier Pankaj Ahlawat bagged the title in 2017. This time Nepal’s Kaushik Prasai , last year winner assisted with in the crowning.

The event is one of the most exciting male pageants at the grand ballroom of Holiday Nava in Hua Hin,Thailand. Followed by 1^st Runners up Mister National World, Jan Kim Santos Vergei from Mindoro Island( Philippines), 2^nd runners up Mister National Globe, Caleb Zheng Eg French from Malaysia, 3^rd runners up Mister National Earth, Duc Hieu Dang from Vietnam and 4^th runners up Mister National Intercontinental, Alexander Coles from United Kingdom.

The 9 day sojourn in Thailand had semi-finalist from Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, UK, Manipur,Malaysia, Brazil, Mindoro Island, Russia, Puerto Rico.

Earlier Usham had bagged the “ Beach Body ” title in male category at the Body Power Beach Carnival same year in March at Goa.

KRC Times caught up with the man. An excerpts. 

What message would you like to give to the youths?

Nobody knows what future holds for us. But if you believe in yourself there is always a bright future ahead. All you have to do it to push yourself to be a better you, if you truly want to achieve something, you know you will have a lot of failure, but don’t give up, without failure there is no success, I only leant from my failure, where failure is the way to success. Have confidence in yourself, prove yourself that you can be a better person than you were yesterday. And you can finally prove the world that you are capable of doing something.

Manipur being a power house in sports and famous personalities either in field of arts and literature. But growing up with so many existential challenges, what is that one thing which most of the youths lacks in the State?

To be frank we have many good sportsmen and sportswomen in Manipur but we are very laid back as compared to other states when it comes to support system. Due to this most of the youths hardly see and bright future in any other profession other than studying and getting a government jobs.

Kindly share some uniqueness of your hometown.

 I am from Haraorou , a village in Manipur, it is clean with co-operative people surrounded by deep firmly rooted cultural beliefs. The sense of oneness is very strong there. 

How do you balance your studies and modelling?

It is really hard, but I do modelling when I have only shows. Rest I concentrate hard on my studies. I am presently pursuing my 4^th year engineering in Electrical and Electronics in Goa.

What is your fitness mantra ? What are your future projects?

I don’t follow any strike diet routine like most of the professional builders do. But I never miss my trainings. That’s my simplest mantra. Being the Mister National Universe Winner I would be visiting different countries judging beauty pageants’ shows. Would be looking forward to co-operate with other countries organisations in promoting beauty pageants.

Given a magical wand what is that one thing you would want to do?

Want to stand on the tallest building  in the world , raise my wand and say , “ love each other no matter  what!!!” 

Just two months back  I started modelling. I use to refer youtube alot.  It’s my passion to be a Supermodel but I have never walk on a ramp or did modelling but its luck by chance two months back. Yes I am confident when showcasing in bodybuilding power lifting and other fitness shows, and have been a winner in any event. Wherever I go I just want to give the message of love.