The Sarawak team, including last year’s national champion Malvern (front, third right), cheering Azizul on his feat. — Photos courtesy of TegapTV Malaysia
Azizul with his trophy.
KUCHING: Sarawak emerged triumphant once again in this year’s 46th Mr Malaysia Bodybuilding Championships, retaining their position as the best contingent for the second time around.
The victory in Labuan was made even sweeter when the panel of jury awarded the ‘Champion of Champions’ crown to welterweight (70-75kg) winner Awang Mohamad Azizul Ghani.
“I just couldn’t believe it. Yes, I have worked hard for the competition but being named ‘Champ of Champs’ is truly the highlight of my bodybuilding career,” Azizul told The Borneo Post here.
The Kuching-born muscleman, however, said he was humbled by the win, seeing that he was far less experienced than his mentor Dr Malvern Abdullah who was the national champion last year in Kuala Lumpur.
“On one hand, I’m happy to have continued Sarawak’s winning streak but on the other hand, it was truly unexpected because I thought Malvern would have won it. I owe this achievement to Malvern – my mentor since I seriously began bodybuilding in 2011,” said the 29-year-old.
“Another person whom I’m forever thankful to is my wife Zurina Hipni. Trust me when I tell you that there’s nothing crankier than a bodybuilder having to undergo a strict diet and exhausting regimen! She has been amazing in managing and supporting me through such tough situations and I just love her to death.”
For Malvern, though, it was a moment of pride to see his charge shine.
“I hope he would realise all that ‘torture’ that I put him through was worth it,” the 40-year-old lecturer quipped.
The seasoned bodybuilder also made the state proud by clinching the lightweight (65-70kg) title that night, beating rivals Muhammad Nur Arif Mohd Khalil of Putrajaya and Miri-born Maskabi Kabar into second and third place respectively.
“I was happy to see that all my teammates especially Azizul came prepared this year. For Azizul, I know that this could be his glorious entry into the international arena.
“I’m honoured to have inspired him to perform his best and I believe he would inspire other young bodybuilders as well,” said Malvern.
This year’s championships, hosted by Labuan Bodybuilding Association (PBBWPL) at Palm Beach Resort and Spa, hailed Sarawak as the overall winning contingent, followed by Royal Malaysian Police and Selangor at second and third position respectively.
The state team staged an impressive performance, with seven bodybuilders managing to finish among top five in their respective categories.
In the junior above 70kg, Mr Malaysia debutant Jacob Jinggut Vincent took fifth position while Azri Asmat Sefri and Aisa Rosli finished second in their respective flyweight (55-60kg) and light middleweight (75-80kg) categories.
Wilfred Harding, on the other hand, placed fourth in the bantamweight (60-65kg) challenge.
Sarawak Bodybuilding Association (SBBA) president Dato Wee Hong Seng was proud of the state contingent but at the same time, reminded his bodybuilders against resting on their laurels.
“Yes, we have won the overall title for two consecutive years but our athletes must remember that with this, comes the challenges and responsibility especially with Sarawak to be hosting the 47th Mr Malaysia event in Sibu next year.
“We are now tasked with continuing the momentum and maintaining our strong position in Malaysian bodybuilding.
“Having said this, I’m really proud that our boys excelled in Labuan despite our tight budget and very limited resources,” he said after welcoming the state team at Kuching International Airport on Monday night.
On another note, Wee also announced that he was re-elected as the vice-president of the Malaysian Bodybuilding Federation (MBBF) for the 2015-2017 term during its annual general meeting in Labuan over the weekend.
Meanwhile, Wee, on behalf of SBBA, wanted to offer condolences to those affected by the Ranau earthquake.
“It seems that although we are excited by our victory in Labuan, we must not forget the suffering of those who have lost their loved ones to the tragedy.
“We pray that they would be given the strength and comfort to endure this, and to move on,” he said.