This Fitness Journey Is For My Son’: 53-Year-Old Dad Completes Mumbai Hyrox Despite Pain

For 53-year-old Devang Gandhi, completing the Hyrox race in Mumbai was about far more than fitness. After losing 30 kg over 18 months, Gandhi pushed through severe pain to finish the race with one deeply personal goal in mind — staying strong enough to care for his specially-abled son, Rudra, for the rest of his life.

Gandhi’s fitness journey began in 2024. His story was recently featured in a video by Sports Lab of Masters’ Union, which has crossed 1.7 million views on Instagram.

‘This Fitness Journey Is Not For Me, It’s For My Son’

Speaking about the motivation behind his transformation, Gandhi said his son’s needs made him think about his own health and future.

“I have to outlive him. I have to live more than him so that I can take care of him,” Gandhi said.

“This fitness journey is not for me, it’s for my son, Rudra,” he added.

The video’s narrator said Gandhi’s goal was not simply to become fitter, but to build the strength and endurance needed to care for his son in the long term.

“He was chasing his better self. He wanted to be better, he wanted to be more fit, just so that he could take care of his son forever,” the narrator said.

What Is Hyrox?

Hyrox describes itself as the “World Series of Fitness Racing”. The standardised indoor competition combines 8 km of running with eight functional workout stations.

Participants complete a 1 km run before reaching a workout station, repeating the sequence eight times.

The stations include SkiErg, sled push, sled pull, burpee broad jumps, rowing, farmers carry, sandbag lunges and wall balls.

Severe Cramp Nearly Forced Him To Stop

Gandhi’s determination was tested during the Mumbai race when he developed a severe cramp in his leg.

He was taken to the medical room and advised not to continue. At that point, it was unclear whether he would return to the course.

However, Gandhi eventually pushed through the pain and completed the race.

“As I was watching him be extremely tired, in a lot of pain, and at the brink of giving up, he drew all his strength just for this one cause. He finished it all for his son, Rudra,” the narrator said.

The video’s caption described Gandhi as a father on a “very special mission”, with the goal of being there for his specially-abled son “forever”.

“Talking to him truly shook me to my core,” the narrator wrote before ending the post with: “To Rudra!”

Gandhi also commented on the viral video, thanking the team for documenting his journey. The post has since attracted thousands of emotional comments, with viewers praising his determination and sending messages to both Devang and Rudra.