Police muscleman chases down global title

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Ismadi poses with the Jalur Gemilang after his victory at Los Angeles Convention Centre.

KUCHING: Police corporal Ismadi Riji lifted the ‘Champion of Champions’ title in the bodybuilding 30-39 age division at last weekend’s World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) held in California, US.

The Kuching-born bodybuilder had earlier won the 172-179cm category during the final at Los Angeles Convention Centre.

“It’s the sweetest moment. This win marks my third consecutive gold medal after the WPFG 2013 in Belfast (Northern Ireland) and the 2015 edition in Fairfax, Virginia (US).

“Only this time, I’ve claimed the ‘Champion of Champions’ title as well,” he said during a phone interview yesterday. Ismadi, 38, dedicated the win to wife Nancy Martin, coach Othman Yahya, facilitator DSP Ghazali Yunos, PDRM Sports Council and the management of the police force.

He also thanked Works Minister and Petra Jaya MP Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman for the financial assistance which helped in his preparations for the event.

Ismadi was among four Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) athletes competing in WPFG 2017. Lance-Corporal Zmarul Al Adam Pulutan Abdullah from Sabah also clinched the gold medal in 165-172cm category (18-29 age division). Sergeant Mohayan Rosmani and Lance-Corporal Mohd Aliff Firdaus Alias each collected the bronze in the 172-179cm (40 and Above) and 165-172cm (30-39) categories respectively.

The biennial WPFG began as the Police Olympics in San Diego, California in 1967 and years later grew to include athletes from Fire and Rescue Department. The event went global during the San Jose Games in California in 1985. Typically, the WPFG would be hosted in major cities across the US and Canada although Australia, Sweden and Spain have also organised the Games as well. The 2019 edition will take place in Chengdu, China.