Mumbai,
December 26, 2025: Supermodel Milind Soman and fitness
enthusiast Ankita Konwar are popularly being recognised as the fitness couple
at the NDTV Who’s Next 2025 Awards for their sustained contribution to fitness
and preventive health awareness across generations. At the ceremony, Milind
Soman received the Fitness Icon of the Year Award, while Ankita Konwar
was conferred the Millennial Fitness Icon Award.
Speaking
on the recognition, Milind Soman said, “Fitness is not about extremes or
milestones, but about consistency and commitment to oneself. Initiatives like
Pinkathon were created to make fitness inclusive and to remind people,
especially women, that their health deserves priority. It is encouraging to see
this journey being acknowledged.”
Ankita
Konwar said, “This recognition reflects the growing awareness among millennials
about health and well-being. Through my work, my effort has been to encourage
women to show up for themselves, listen to their bodies, and embrace fitness as
a way of life.”
Milind
Soman has played a pivotal role in redefining how fitness is perceived in
India, advocating consistency, inclusivity, and long-term well-being over
short-term goals. He is the founder of Pinkathon, India’s biggest women’s run,
launched in 2012 to encourage women to prioritise fitness while creating
awareness around breast cancer and preventive health. Over the years, Pinkathon
has grown into a nationwide movement, reaching more than half a million women
across cities including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and
Kolkata. The initiative has facilitated free breast screenings for thousands of
women and has raised over ₹1 crore towards the treatment of underprivileged
cancer patients, while continuing to bring first-time runners into the fitness
ecosystem through inclusive formats such as the Saree Run, Grandmothers’ Run,
and Babywearing Mothers’ Walk.
The
Fitness Icon of the Year Award recognises Milind Soman’s enduring
influence in making fitness accessible and relevant across age groups, and his
consistent efforts to link physical activity with awareness and self-care.
Ankita
Konwar, who received the Millennial Fitness Icon Award, has emerged as a
strong voice for mindful fitness and women’s health among younger audiences.
She is the founder of Invincible Women, an ultramarathon and health awareness
initiative launched in 2023, designed to encourage women to challenge both
visible and invisible barriers to prioritising their health. Invincible Women’s
Run is India’s first women-only ultramarathon, focusing on endurance-based
events including ultradistances of 50 km, 75 km, and 100 km, creating a
platform that emphasises physical resilience, mental strength, and long-term
wellness.
The NDTV Who’s Next 2025 Awards celebrate individuals who are shaping contemporary narratives through purpose-driven work and sustained impact. The recognition of Milind Soman and Ankita Konwar underscores the growing emphasis on fitness, preventive health, and community-led initiatives in India’s evolving wellness landscape.