Charles strikes a pose before receiving his prizes from Hii (second left) as (from left) Tang, Chia and Jamilah look on.
SIBU: Charles Luanga Uyong could not have asked for a better outcome in his first try at the Mr Sibu bodybuilding championships when he clinched the coveted ‘Champion of Champions’ crown at Sing Kwong Shopping Complex here on Saturday night.
Earlier the 31-year-old Sports Science teacher beat four other finalists to win the Above-70.1kg category.
“This is a great feeling – to compete in my hometown for the first time and claim this win. As I’m presently based in Kuala Lumpur due to my job, I have been competing elsewhere for the past several years and winning some other titles, but to achieve this in Sibu is just tremendous,” he said.
Charles, who entered the sport in 2010, added he is now looking forward to the upcoming Mr Sarawak 2017 championships in Miri.
Incidentally, the other three categories were also won by new faces.
Roger Wong swept both the Novice and Under-65kg titles while Anthony Tebie Raphael bagged his maiden 65.1–70kg champion trophy.
(From right) Charles, Anthony and Wong in the showdown of champions.
The annual competition, organised by Sibu Division Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Association (SDBWA) attracted a field of 13 comprising competitors from Sibu, Kapit and Mukah.
Sibu Resident Hii Chang Kee, who officiated at the opening ceremony, noted the rising popularity of the sport here, as evident by the increasing number of new gyms.
“These gyms also have sizeable memberships. This is an encouraging sign that people are becoming more involved in body fitness and bodybuilding,” he said. Commending those involved in the sport, he added,” Bodybuilders must work very hard physically and give up many things that they enjoy. They must be really disciplined in their diet, their supplements and their workout regimen. Very often, they have to give up precious time with their families, so that they can pursue bodybuilding and therefore, gain recognition in the sport.”
Sing Kwong Group chairman Tang Tai Teck, SDBWA president Chia Soon Cheong and Miri Division Bodybuilding Association president Jamilah Ibrahim were among the special guests who presented the prizes.