(From left) Tee, Jiau, Alfie, Musa and Farrokh posing for the camera.
SIBU: A few new faces are among the 16 bodybuilders who have entered for the Mr Sibu Bodybuilding Contest at Sing Kwong (Salim) Supermarket at 7pm this Saturday.
Farrokh Ibtisam from the Solid Gym is one of the debutants for the Mr Sibu title. He will be competing in the novice category. Farrokh said he first stepped into a bodybuilding gym to lose weight.
“But, from there, my interest in bodybuilding started to grow,” he recalled.
“I am not sure how well I will do in the coming competition. But, I will do my best,” he enthused.
Farrokh said he had been training for about three years, and it was encouragement from friends that prompted him to enter the Mr Sibu contest.
His friend, Tee Siew Kean, who trains with him is another fist-timers in the competition. Tee is will be competing in the 75kg-80kg category.
After spending five years in the gym training five days a week, Tee said he finally gathered enough guts to go for a competition.
“I have always been interested in bodybuilding. Initially, there was no systematic training.
“Later, at Solid Gym, I was guided in proper training,” he enthused.
The April 25 contest is organised by Sibu Division Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Association.
Its secretary, Thomas Lee, said entries had come from different gyms, such as Sibu Gym, Solid Gym, and Spartan Gym.
“We also have contestants from Mukah,” Lee said.
There are five categories, and the winner of every category will be sent to Kuching to compete in the Mr Sarawak 2015.
Lee confirmed there would be some new faces, but could not tell off hand the exact number.
“We shall also see familiar faces, the old stagers,” he added.
Among the familiar faces is Edric Jiau Yew Ang who had entered the Mr Sibu Contest at least five times and won some top prizes.
The 25-year-old, who also trains at Solid Gym, said he would give a shot in the 65-70kg category.
Among his contenders is gym-mate Alfie Khan Abdul Aziz Khan, who targets a podium finish in the contest.
“I entered for Mr Sibu Contest twice in the novice category, and on both occasions I won,” he recalled.
Musa Hanapi, another of their gym-mates, is competing in the 70kg and above category.
“I have the encouragement from Solid Gym owner Lau Kah Yii to enter the contest again,” he said.