Ethnic Indian Singaporean loses 67 kg, wins $100,000
By IANSWednesday, December 15, 2010
KUALA LUMPUR - Singapore’s ethnic Indian Viveganandam Deveraj was crowned the winner of The Biggest Loser Asia 2, a popular weight-loss reality TV series, it was reported here.
The 24-year-old walked away Tuesday with the prize money of $100,000 after losing 67kg from his starting weight of 144kg - making him the contestant with the highest percentage of weight loss (46.53 percent) over a six-month period, The Star reported Wednesday.
“Being on the show has taught me that anything is possible and I want to inspire others who want to lose weight,” said Deveraj who planned to set up a charity organisation to help combat the rising obesity rate in Singapore.
“Obesity is prevalent here, especially among young children due to their sedentary lifestyles. I believe I can help them with the knowledge I have now,” added Raj, dubbed “the snake” in the competition due to his scheming ways.
He was among the season’s top three finalists after Hong Kong’s Lori Davis Granito, 43, was voted out.
Thailand’s Atikom Laksanapanai (Nai), 26, an insurance agent trainee came in a close second with an overall weight loss percentage of 45.99 percent, which is 63kg from his 137kg starting weight.
Genghis Enrique Khan, 34, an internet cafe owner from the Philippines, became the second runner-up with an overall weight loss percentage of 35.19 percent, or a weight loss of 57kg from his original 162kg.
The second season of the reality show started out with 16 contestants from Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.
The contestants, who have all suffered weight-related health problems, competed for the title of The Biggest Loser 2 in a mansion at IOI Resort City in Putrajaya, Malaysia, for 13 weeks.
