The world’s shortest bodybuilder who stands at 3ft 4ins (102cm) has married his partner who measures 4ft 2ins (127cm).
Pratik Vittal Mohite, 28, from Raigad, Maharashtra, central India, was born with his disability and struggled his entire life to fit in, and was sceptical he’d ever be able to find someone to share his life.
Four years ago he met Jayaa, 22, after their families searched for someone to match each other’s size.
But at the time Pratik, a cricket fan, was not ready to settle down. He said: ‘I liked Jayaa the moment I saw her and I think she liked me, she seemed impressed by my physique but I couldn’t provide for her. I wanted to get a good job, do well as a bodybuilder and make sure I could give her a good life.’
Since then Pratik has worked hard, determined his height will not affect his life. These days he’s world famous, recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the ‘shortest competitive bodybuilder in the world’.
Four years ago Pratik (left) met Jayaa, 22, after their families searched for someone to match each other’s size
Pratik is recognised by thye Guinness Book of Records as the ‘shortest competitive bodybuilder in the world’
Pratik is the world’s shortest bodybuilder who stands at 3ft 4ins. He works as a personal trainer helping other budding body builder get in shape
He’s competed in over 50 competitions and now works as a personal trainer for budding body builders, splitting his time between two gyms.
With over 200k followers on Instagram, where even US singer Snoop Dogg follows him, he’s often approached by huge brands about collaborations and sponsorships.
Eventually, back in December, Pratik felt he was ready to settle down and marry, so his parents arranged another meeting between him and Jayaa. And almost immediately the two began to text each other daily until eventually their parents agreed they should get engaged, which is customary in traditional India where arranged marriages are common place.
‘I knew Jayaa was the one,’ Pratik said. ‘Not only is she close in height to me, we laugh a lot, we have the same sense of humour. My parents searched far for someone right for me, I always knew I’d have an arranged marriage but I hoped that I’d love the girl too. And with Jayaa it felt right from the start.’
The couple got married in a Hindu ceremony this week, on March 13, surrounded by family and friends and danced the night away with both bride and groom dressed in traditional Hindu wedding attire. Pratik wore gold, while Jayaa was a goddess in red.
Pratik has come a long way since he was a young child comparing his inabilities to other kids his age.
His father, Vittal Gajanan Mohite, 50, said: ‘We were very sad when he was born and we saw the way he was. Any parent would feel the same. But raising him has been no problem, he’s learnt to do everything himself so he’s been no extra problem for us.’
Pratik said: ‘I liked Jayaa the moment I saw her and I think she liked me, she seemed impressed by my physique but I couldn’t provide for her. I wanted to get a good job, do well as a bodybuilder and make sure I could give her a good life.’
Pratik met Jayaa four years ago but at the time her wasn’t ready to settle down. He said he wanted to be able to provide for her
Patrik has competed in over 50 competitions and now works as a personal trainer for budding body builders, splitting his time between two gyms
Pratik Mohite, 28, poses for a picture with his new wife, Jayaa Pratik Mohite, 22, on the day of their wedding, after meeting four years ago
Pratik Mohite proposed to his new wife, Jayaa Pratik Mohite, back in December 2022. The two are now married
His mother, Sunita Vittal Mohite, 48, said she had regular check-ups during her pregnancy but no one said anything until her final appointment in her ninth month.
She said: ‘My mum took me to a different doctor in the ninth month and he told me the baby had a condition. The doctor asked me what did I want to do? He said he could give me an injection in the tummy and kill the baby.
‘When I returned home I couldn’t sleep all night. My father said don’t do anything. My father in law also said we shouldn’t do anything. And so we went ahead with the baby.
When he was born, everyone was happy he was a baby boy but his arms and legs were different. I was so worried about his future. If he couldn’t sit or walk, what would he do?’
But by the time Pratik turned one he was able to sit up. And eventually he started to walk.
Pratik said: ‘When I was little I wasn’t able to play with my friends and that’s when I realised something wasn’t right. They could ride a bike, swim, and play but I couldn’t do anything. It made me feel sad so I tried to live like others. I was determined to do what the other kids were doing and move forward in life.’
Pratik remembers being the only one sitting out of sports class in school and had to watch the boys play cricket.
He added: ‘I was a shy boy, and if I used to try and run the kids used to laugh at me. Boys used to make fun of me but I learnt to ignore them. I was angry inside and it’d put me in a bad mood for the rest of the day. My family would try to help and encourage me to ignore them. Eventually I began to to play cricket and then my body just got stronger.’
Pratik Vittal Mohite, 28, from Raigad, Maharashtra, central India, was born with his disability and struggled his entire life to fit in
With over 200k followers on Instagram, where even US singer Snoop Dogg follows him, Patrik is often approached by huge brands about collaborations and sponsorships
Pratik is pictured in a personal photo of himself back in 2013 before he started taking bodybuilding seriously
Pratik poses for the camera at his home. Pratik is a body builder but measures just 3ft 3ins tall. He has so far competed in over 50 competitions in India and is now aiming for Mr World
By the time Pratik hit his teens he was living with his uncle as his home was closer to school. His uncle used to be in the army so was very active and he’d often do work-outs in front of Pratik.
‘Eventually I started to copy my uncle. I liked it and it made me feel good so I thought it’d carry on, and concentrated on body building. I was 18 when I started working out seriously at the gym.’
Pratik said he couldn’t hold a dumb bell during his first few visits to the gym because his hands were too small to grip them. So instead he used a weight plate and his friends would help him tie a handkerchief to the plate for a better grip.
‘I used to struggle in the gym,’ he said. ‘But gradually I began to get stronger and when I did my first show it was a huge reward.’
Pratik won his first body building show in 2016 after his local gym encouraged him to take part as a guest and it was to be the start of his career.
He follows a strict diet and exercise routine, going to the gym morning and evening, and running when he can too.
His mother Sunita added: ‘He works very hard. I cook separate meals for him, I cook with little oil for him. And when he goes for a show he stops eating three or fours days before, eats just light meals, fruit or veg, and doesn’t drink water on that day itself. He’s very committed.’
World’s Shortest Competitive Bodybuilder, Pratik Mohite, 28, poses for a picture on his wedding day
Pratik is a body builder but measures just 3ft 3ins tall. He has so far competed in over 50 bodybuilding competitions in India
When he started working out, Pratik said he couldn’t hold a dumb bell during his first few visits to the gym because his hands were too small to grip them
Pratik is looking forward to married life. He also aims to win a gold medal in the international competition Mr World
Now Jayaa will take over and help Pratik with his diet and training regime.
Jayaa had to finish school when she was 14 as her parents couldn’t afford to send her. And she stayed at home to help her mother run the house. Now, she’s looking forward to helping her husband continue his profession.
‘I was impressed by Pratik from the moment I met him, he’s determined and I will do whatever to support him in his career. I am so proud to now be his wife.’
Pratik’s dream is still to win a gold medal in the international competition Mr World.
Sunita said: ‘Doctors told me my son would never sit or walk but now look at him. My son is living, and moving and now he’s starting his own family. I am very proud.’
