When the pandemic brought life and golf to a standstill in March 2020, introspection helped Chikkarangappa S realise that time was ripe to work on golf-specific muscles, which otherwise wasn’t possible given the rigours of Tour life.
Thrice a week, Chikka travelled 35km from his home on the outskirts to Bengaluru to be with trainer Harihara Palani and worked on strengthening the oblique muscles, upper back and rotator cuffs. Lunges, full squats, and deadlifts with weights ranging from 65-90kg were incorporated in the programme.
Along with weekly checks to gauge the progress, a strict plan was drawn up by dietitian Aliya Abreo which required Chikka to go gluten and soya free and shun milk products.
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The gains were not visible immediately after the Professional Golf Tour of India resumed in November last , but the feeling of well-being was unmistakable for Chikka as he looked to make a triumphant comeback to the golf course.
“Getting into tournament mode after seven months, there were bound to be butterflies, but standing at the 1st tee (on Day 1 of the Players Championship in Panchkula) all that played on the mind was to follow the routine devised during lockdown,” said Chikka.
From then till March when the PGTI paused again due to the latest wave of the pandemic, Chikka’s record makes for impressive reading. Starting from the top-3 in Panchkula, he has two top-2s, a top-8 and the crowning glory is the title at the Gujarat Open at the Kalhaar Blues and Greens in February.
Fitness photo: Chikkarangappa S
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