Prateek Jain is pretty pleased

From dealing with financial figures as an investment banker, to flaunting his figure and scorching the runways, this 26-year-old model has come a long way. The student of Christ University, who won the contest held in Guilin, China in August 2015, reveals that it wasn’t all hunky dory. “There were a lot of challenges that I had to go through. We were given various challenges for a month. In fact, you would be surprised to know what all I had to do to win this championship; it’s not just about looking good and walking the ramp or posing for the camera. It was extremely intense- training for Tai Chi martial arts, challenging the Tai Chi masters to win the challenge, rock climbing, diving into the rivers of China, swimming, catching fishes with your bare hands, surviving the wild, cooking in the wild, treasure hunts etc. From shooting in the rivers and on mountain tops, I loved every bit of it,” shares Prateek of how it was the survival of the fittest.

What gave him the edge over many others? He quips, “Apart from my beard, I think it was my performance. I kept winning points for our country, winning single and group tasks. There were 10 countries and 20 contestants. I met amazing people from across the world. I wrote down my memories in a diary that I maintained during this contest. I challenged myself since I won Mr World and it’s been an adventure for me, this past year. I love my new nomadic life, travelling to different countries. I love adventure and shooting in the midst of nature. I thank ramp Asia from Delhi for believing in me.”

Recalling his time in Bengaluru, Prateek adds, “Bengaluru has made me what I am today. My character, my personality everything is thanks to this city. My family lives in Bengaluru, so I come here as often as possible. I started modelling three years ago when I injured myself seriously during mix martial arts. Fitness and martial arts are my passion and hobbies.”