Philomena (fourth left) and Zmarul (seventh left) in a group photo of the Malaysian team in Yangon.
KUCHING: Philomena Dexclyn Siar has earned a silver medal at the 16th South East Asia Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships in Yangon, Myanmar last weekend.
She competed in the Women’s Model Physique (Up to 165cm) finale which was staged at Myanmar Convention Centre.
When contacted by The Borneo Post here, the 35-year-old Bidayuh was ecstatic about her achievement.
“Last year in my debut in Cambodia, I placed sixth among 13 contestants in the same category, but it was an open competition without any height requirement.
“This time, I bagged silver. I’m happy because it validates all the efforts that I have put in throughout the past two years,” said the mapping officer, who is also a certified fitness instructor.
(From left) Philomena, Nguyen and Ingyin pose after the results were announced.
Philomena said her journey had not been easy, pointing out that she was not the fitness enthusiast that she is today.
“I struggled with weight problems four years ago and, on top of that, I suffered a failed relationship.
“I remained at a bad place, up until I realised that I needed to change that.
“Now, I believe that my journey and whatever that I have achieved so far, serve as proof that women can be as powerful, beautiful, healthy and confident as they can be.”
She said she owed much to her mentors, Asian bodybuilding champions Buda Anchah and Dr Malvern Abdullah.
On her venture into women’s bodybuilding, Philomena wanted to dispel the myth about women losing their femininity once they took up the sport.
“I don’t have any intention to be over-muscular; I want the curves and to look good. As such, I’m happy to have found several women’s bodybuilding divisions that promote just that – for me, it’s the women’s model physique category,” she said.
The Sarawak-born was second behind Nguyen Phan Nha Mien of Vietnam who was also the winner last year.
Ingyin Thant Zin of the hosting country was third.
“It was exciting to see some of last year’s contestants competing again this year. We’re rivals on stage, but off-stage, we’re sisters,” Philomena said.
Six athletes represented Malaysia at the annual championships organised by South East Asia Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Federation.
Apart from her, Zmarul Al Adam Pulutan Abdullah was also a medal contributor to the Malaysian contingent.
The police lance-corporal from Sabah bagged the bronze medal in the Men’s Bodybuilding 75kg category.
The gold and silver went to Suwit Gatejinsa of Thailand and Thaung Tan of Myanmar respectively.
The other four members of the Malaysian line-up were Firman Raynar Jamis, Mohd Aliff Firdaus Alias, Muammar Ghadafi M Hussein and Charles Luanga Uyong.