Raj Winner The Biggest Loser Asia Season 2

SINGAPOREAN RAJ IS ASIA’S BIGGEST LOSER

Singaporean loses 67kg in months to win DIVA Universal’s Biggest Loser Asia Season 2

Malaysia, 14 December 2010 – Thirteen long weeks of exhausting workouts, drama, intense rivalry and camaraderie came to an explosive end tonight as The Biggest Loser Asia (TBLA) Season 2’s grand finale saw Singaporean Viveganandam Deveraj (Raj) walk away as the winner of the highly popular weight-loss reality TV show on DIVA Universal in front of his very own home fans.

Raj, 24, started on DIVA Universal’s TBLA at a hefty 144kg. After a three-month period of training on the camp, Raj went through a tough but ultimately fulfilling journey and 67kg weight loss (46.53% overall weight loss percentage) to reach his eventual winning weight of 77kg, thus completing his transformation from an overweight young man to a real life inspiration for overcoming impossible challenges.

The Singaporean beat Atikom Laksanapanai (Nai), 26, from Thailand and Genghis Enrique Khan, 34, from the Philippines, at the finale episode shot in Singapore on the same day of telecast, to take home US$100,000 in cash and the title of Asia’s Biggest Loser. Nai came in a close second behind Raj by dropping 63kg (45.99% overall weight loss percentage) from 137kg, while Filipino Genghis also triumphed with a big change at a current 105kg (35.19% overall weight loss percentage) from 162kg.

A glowing Raj said, “It’s great to be a winner! I’ve gotten my life back with The Biggest Loser Asia and that’s the biggest reward possible. I’ve done my best to win this competition and I’m thrilled to be Asia’s Biggest Loser. Being on the show taught me that change is possible and I hope that my success here might motivate others in the same boat to challenge themselves.”

Karen Johnston, Programming and Acquisitions Director, Asia Pacific, Universal Networks International said, “We are extremely happy with the successful conclusion of DIVA Universal’s highly-popular Biggest Loser Asia, which has brought big changes to the lives of our contestants and viewers. We would like to congratulate Raj for winning, he is an inspiration to all across Asia.”

Riaz Mehta, CEO of Imagine Group and Executive Producer of TBLA, said, “Imagine is extremely proud of the second season of The Biggest Loser Asia. The show continues to transform lives across Asia, informing viewers on the right way to beat obesity. Our winner Raj has proven to be a true Cinderella story through his sheer determination as this is the second time he has tried for the show. We look forward to touching and transforming more lives in Asia for years to come.”

The finale also saw 30kg lighter Filipina Desiree Vinoya, who was eliminated in the first episode, walk away with US$10,000 as the ‘At Home Contestant’ winner. The ‘At Home Contestant’ competition allowed overweight individuals that joined the show’s anchor sponsor Fitness First’s weight loss program vie for the prize money by losing the most weight. Both Desiree and Indonesian Rico Michael were allowed to take part in the competition after their double elimination in the first episode.

Singaporean Nurhafiza Bte Mohammed (Fish), 26, won a Grand Park hotel stay and a trip to her choice destination as a reward for having the highest weight loss percentage among the eliminated contestants of Season 2. Fish lost 35kg (36.46%) from her starting weight of 96kg.

TBLA 2 began its broadcast on DIVA Universal with 16 contestants and each week, they had to go through arduous training regimes and strict diets guided by professional trainers, Kristy Curtis and Dave Nuku.

DIVA Universal’s TBLA, which is based on the highly rated US weight loss reality TV series The Biggest Loser, is a pan-regional production by Imagine Group and hosted by Asian celebrity Marion Caunter (E! News Asia). TBLA is supported by established global brands, Fitness First – the anchor sponsor and provider of weight-loss expertise on the series, Nestle Fitnesse, Gatorade, Gardenia, The Biggest Loser Club, venue sponsor IOI Resort City, TRX, Polar, Prince Court Medical Centre, Mk Homes, Ambience, Skype, The Studio, Toni & Guy, Tiger Airways and Grand Park Hotel.

The finale was filmed in Singapore on 14 December for same day telecast exclusively on DIVA Universal @ 9pm (SG, MY, PH, HK), 8pm (JKT, TH).