Andy (third right) receiving the state colours from Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Snowdan Lawan (fourth left) while Sarawak Sports Corporation CEO Dr Ong Kong Swee (third left), Sarawak Bodybuilding Association president Dato Wee Hong Seng (fourth right), George (right) and others look on at the Sarawak Stadium, Petra Jaya last Sunday. — Photo by Ghaz Ghazali
KUCHING: The Sarawak team comprising 13 athletes are looking forward to score a fourth consecutive victory in the 48th Mr Malaysia Bodybuilding Championships in Puchong, Selangor from May 19-21.
Team manager Andy Ismail said they are only taking part in 13 out of the 14 events, skipping the heavyweight category.
The state bodybuilders are Kelvin Ling Zeng Tung, Lukman Haziq Hamdan, Maskabi Kabar and Jacob Jinggut Vincent (Miri), Zulazman Mohamad Bujang, Anthony Caddrick Nyisong, Wilfred Harding, Louis Glass, Lansconnery Ripit, Huang Chee Yan and Donny Fam (Kuching), Mohd Faizal Mat Rashid (Samarahan), and Mohamad Sani Sanawi (Sri Aman).
“Yes, I am hoping that they can all make it to the finals (top five) in their respective categories so that we can have a better chances of winning and retain our title,” he told the Borneo Post yesterday.
Andy said the state’s hopes are pinned on Anthony, Wilfred and Maskabi to deliver the gold medals.
“We are targeting three gold medals in this meet and it would be a bonus if they can get more,” said Andy who is also the secretary of the Sarawak Bodybuilding Association.
He said Sarawak’s main rivals in the national meet will be Sabah, Police and Selangor.
“If we cannot finish as overall champions again, we are hoping to finish among the top five teams,” he added.
For the record, Sarawak won the Mr Malaysia for the third consecutive time in Sibu last year after capturing four gold medals. “We would like to thank the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Youth and Sports as well as the Sarawak State Sports Council for the support and making this trip to Selangor possible,” said Andy.
Accompanying the team are coach George Awi William from Kuching and judge Cheyenne Muris from Miri.
They will depart to Kuala Lumpur tomorrow (May 19).