(From right) Ismadi, Sazali and Othman with their gold medals.
KUCHING: It was a victorious outing for Ismadi Riji at the World Police and Fire Games 2015 in Fairfax, Virginia, recently – his first appearance in any bodybuilding competition after a hiatus of almost two years.
The 36-year-old police corporal clinched gold medal in the Men’s Age Group Above-30 (Over 1.79m) category, leaving his American contenders Terence Napier of Tipton City Police, Indiana, and Jason Nasworth of Marion County Sheriff’s Department, Florida, at respective second and third place.
“This is a sweet win for me, in that I helped to contribute to our (Malaysian) team’s six-gold medal haul and one bronze. As a Sarawakian, I’m really proud to have been able to elevate Malaysia, through Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), on the world’s stage,” the Kuching-born bodybuilder told The Borneo Post here.
On his feat, Ismadi said apart from his family, he also had his fellow team-mates, 10-time Mr Universe titleholder Sazali Abdul Samad and 15-time Mr Malaysia winner Othman Yahya, to thank for.
“They have really been pushing me ever since I was included under PDRM Elite Bodybuilding Squad. My appreciation also goes to the commandant of Police Training Centre (Pulapol) Sports Complex and Bukit Aman Sports Council,” the former Mr Malaysia said.
The Malaysian police squad presented an excellent performance during the Fairfax outing, with star athletes Sazali Abdul Samad, Othman Yahya and Azahar Mahamad emerging triumphant in their respective Age Group Above-40 categories, while Mohd Aliff Firdaus excelled in the Age Group Above-20 (1.65m-1.72m) challenge.
Even more impressive was Azahar being adjudged the Above-40’s ‘Champion of Champions’.
Aloysius @ George Jaimon, on the other hand, bagged the bronze in Age Group Above-30 (1.65m-1.72m) category, while Murugan Gananam placed fourth in the Age Group Above-40 (1.65m-1.72m) category. The nation’s squad was headed by Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Sharifuddin Abd Ghani who acted as chef de mission, aided by ASP Gazali Yunos as the team’s technical officer and coach.
Gazali was pleased by the judging which he viewed as being “very thorough and professional”.
“Still, I take my hat off to the athletes for their high level of discipline and determination, having managed to perform admirably after a tiring 24-hour flight. For the Muslim bodybuilders, they had to go through ‘puasa’ (fasting) throughout the dry Virginia summer.
“Our gratitude also goes to Datuk Seri Sharifuddin for his guidance and hard work,” he said.
After Fairfax, Gazali said the next focus for the PDRM squad would be the 2017 World Police and Fire Games in Montreal, Canada.
“We have been doing quite well in the games over the past several years, but I believe with our current line-up plus a number of potential talents, we could fare better,” he said.