Indian origin man is Asia's biggest weight loser

(Credit:IANS) David Gurnani, an Indonesian of Indian origin, has been adjudged The Biggest Loser Asia (TBLA) in the weight loss reality show organised in Malaysia. Gurnani, 25, Tuesday beat 15 other contestants who underwent a grueling three-month exercise and fitness regime. He took home $100,000 and a car.

Gurnani, whose starting weight was 157 kg, is a salesman who wants to "look compatible to his fiancee, have good health and a long life, and make his family proud". He has been the contest's weekly winner thrice.

TBLA is Asia's first unscripted weight-loss contest and invites viewers in the region to root for their favourite "warriors" battling the bulge.

More than 2,000 people auditioned for the show, a spin-off of The Biggest Loser (TBL), which has had eight successful seasons, The Star newspaper said.

The 14-episode contest hosted by Malaysian celebrity Sarimah Ibrahim saw participants surrendering their mobile phones and Internet access to undergo punishing weight-loss training at a boot camp in Alor Gajah, Malacca.