Uggah (right) giving the thumbs up as he pose for a photo with Buda and his trophies from the 10th World Building and Physique Sports Championships.
KUCHING: Sarawak’s very own world class bodybuilder Buda Anchah has been personally picked by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas to serve as an icon for Sarawak’s youths.
He pointed out that with Buda’s numerous and outstanding achievements at world championships as well as at Asian levels, the 47-year-old is certainly in the position to inspire youths to move forward and take charge of their own future.
“I want him to be an icon for our youths. He is one of our most successful athletes.
“It is not easy to reaches level of achievement without the right discipline, commitment and mental fortitude,” he said after receiving Buda at his office in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex here today.
Buda, a retired Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) warrant officer from Sri Aman, recently proved that age is nothing but a number after winning first place at the 10th World Building and Physique Sports Championships in the Men’s Masters (Age 40-49, Up to 80kg) category last month.
He also came in second in the Men’s Bodybuilding Lightweight (70kg) category at the same championship which was held in Chiangmai, Thailand.
Uggah suggested that Buda, as a sports icon, can play a role in inspiring people by holding motivational talks.
“He can have a big impact on motivating not only our students but also our athletes.”
He also noted that the Sarawak government will look into ways to help Buda advance further in his sporting career so as to bring more pride and glory to the state and the country.
Meanwhile, Buda is currently eyeing for gold in the Asian Bodybuilding Championships which will be held in Cambodia in October as well as the next World Building and Physique Sports Championships to be held in Seoul, Korea in November.
“If bodybuilding is included in the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Manila, the Philippines, I will prepare for that too,” he disclosed.
On serving as a sports icon to the youths, Buda, who took up bodybuilding since he was a TUDM recruit in 1994, hopes to be able to pass on the knowledge, skills and experiences I have gained over the years to the younger generation.
“More importantly, I want to warn them on the dangers of taking illegal performance enhancing drugs and steroids in sports.”
He also shared on his dreams of setting up a gymnasium either in Kuching or Kota Samarahan.
“Bodybuilding is a very popular sport among our youths nowadays particularly with gymnasium facilities easily available in the state, even in rural areas.
“I am hoping to show that through disciplined, proper training and careful diet, anyone can achieve a superb physique without resorting to drugs and steroids,” he stressed.