Malvern Abdullah wins inaugural Mr Iron Hardcore 2014

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Contenders for the Body Smart Under-170cm category strutting their stuff during the pose-down.

KUCHING: T o Malvern Abdullah, age is just a number as far as his bodybuilding career is concerned.

At 39, the lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Samarahan Campus has an impressive resume, which includes three-time Mr Sarawak and a Mr Malaysia Under-70kg championship title.

Last Saturday, the brawny scholar just added another feather in his cap by winning the inaugural Mr Iron Hardcore Sarawak Open 2014.

Organised by The Summer Shopping Mall and Iron Hardcore Gym Samarahan in collaboration with Sarawak Bodybuilding Association (SBBA), the event saw Malvern beating 26 bodybuilders from across the country to claim the coveted Champion of Champions trophy.

“It’s exciting not only because I won, but also because I was up against the best in Malaysia. I take every competition seriously.

“Moreover, this victory also shows that all my hard work since coming back from the Asian championships in Macau last month has paid off,” he told The Borneo Post after the finals at Summer Mall on Saturday night.

Malvern, who competed under Phoenix Gym Kuching’s banner, claimed the Under-65kg title before the showdown against 65.1-70kg champion Henro Lee of Sabah and Above 75.1kg winner Mohayan Rosmani of Kuala Lumpur.

His near-perfect musculature and engaging showmanship obviously won the hearts of the jury panel comprising officials from SBBA and Malaysian Bodybuilding Federation (MBBF).

Making the crowning moment even sweeter was having reigning Mr Asia Masters champion Buda Anchah himself presenting the honour to Malvern.

The seasoned bodybuilder was proud of Malvern’s achievement.

“He indeed deserves this win. I’m also pleased to see that he has embarked on going international. I know he has worked really hard for this. To him, all the best,” Buda said.

The first-ever Iron Hardcore challenge, held in celebration of Malaysia Day and Summer Mall’s first anniversary, attracted almost 100 participants.

Apart from bodybuilding, the event also included Mr Fitness Body Smart events comprising two categories, namely Under- and Above 170cm.

It was a family affair as far as the top placings went.

Buda (left) and Malvern dancing the ‘ngajat’ in honour of the latter’s triumph.

Mohd Khairulddin Hadzari of Bintulu claimed the Under-170cm title, followed by his cousins from Miri, Syallehudeen and Abdul Khaliq Ahmad, finishing second and third place.

Syallehudeen’s and Abdul Khaliq’s brother, Muhammad Firdaus Ahmad, was second in the Above-170cm category, behind Mohd Razeaf Khasshoggi Razak of Muscle Gear and Prolabs Gym Kuala Lumpur.

Third was the bronze medallist from last year’s Malaysia Games, Mohd Alrzrin Abdul Ghani of Miri.

The bodybuilding segment offered a cash prize of RM2,500 for the winner of each category, with RM1,500, RM1,000, RM500 and RM300 for second, third, fourth and fifth respectively.

The Body Smart segment gave out RM1,400 to the champion of each category, while those placed second, third, fourth and fifth bagged RM1,000, RM700, RM300 and RM100 respectively.

Those finishing sixth to eighth across all categories each received RM50.

All finalists also took home other gifts, hampers and vouchers from sponsors GNC, WK Time, Borneo Bodybuilding Supplement, Hari-Hari Clothing Store, XOX Mobile and Newscastle Mobile Enterprise.

Officiating at the event was SBBA president Datuk Wee Hong Seng who remarked that 2014 had been a wonderful year for state bodybuilding so far.

“We emerged overall champions at this year’s Mr Malaysia in Putrajaya, and Malvern is the latest of our bodybuilding athletes having made the cut for last month’s Asian outing.

“We’re also proud of Buda having won the Masters title in Macau.

“It was an impressive Merdeka and Malaysia Day gift for us all.

“It is in this capacity that we, at SBBA, is officially welcoming Buda as our life member,” he said.

Summer Mall managing director Datuk Lee Chee Fui and homegrown bodybuilding legend as well as former Mr Asia, Bujang Taha, were on hand to present prizes to winners.