SABAH’S VERY OWN IRON LADY
31-year-old hopes to see more women take up bodybuilding, writes
PENAMPANG
STEEL bars and dumbbells are no longer toys reserved for the big boys. Meet 31-year-old Heng Shu Xia, fondly known as Joyce, who has put such notions to rest at the flex of her bulbous biceps.
The female bodybuilder recently turned heads as she showed off her strength by pulling and lifting heavy vehicles, and flipping a tractor tyre at Sabah’s first Strongestwoman Open Challenge in Donggong here.
She emerged champion after collecting the highest point, defeating 12 other women.
She took home a gold medal and RM1,500.
Throughout the two-day challenge, Heng competed in six events, namely Vehicle Pull, Farmer’s Walk, Tyre Flip, Car Deadlift, Yoke Walk and Atlas Stone.
“There were no such challenges for women in the past and I was unsure whether to join when the organiser contacted me three days before the event.
“I gave it a try and I am happy to win,” she told the New Sunday Times.
Heng’s accomplishment is a testament that such events are no longer a man’s only game.
“Women nowadays want to show off their skills and strength just like men, and the Strongestwomen Open Challenge is a platform for us to do so.
“I am a bodybuilder while the rest of the participants were power lifters.
“So, they are more experienced because they are trained to lift weights.”
The youngest of four siblings, Heng said a bodybuilder focused mainly on building muscles, losing fat, maintaining strength, and contest preparation.
Unlike other female athletes who prefer getting toned, Heng, who weighs 80kg and stands at 165cm, does not mind having bulky muscles.
“I was an archer. In 2006, I went to the gym to build up my stamina because I was representing Sabah for the Sukma Games.
“Since then, I have never stopped training.”
Because of her passion in the sport, Heng opened a gym — Anytime Gym and Fitness — so that she could train in her own comfort and let others utilise the exercise equipment.
“In 2013, another female bodybuilder and I took part in a bodybuilding competition in Vietnam.
“She won, but I did not make it to the final.
“However, I did not give up and I started training harder under my Japanese coach, Takashi Ishihara.
“When he is not around, we will have a one-on-one training via video conference.
“I have a personal motivator, Suthida Theerakhawong, who is also my close friend, to inspire me so that I won’t slack off.”
In 2015, Heng won first placing at the 4th Phil-Asia International NUC Universe Qualifier and emerged first runner-up at the NABBA International Universe, both held in Cebu City in the Philippines.
After 11 years of training, she said bodybuilding had taught her to be disciplined and to have confidence.
“It encourages me to surround myself with positive people because in everything you do, there will always be someone who wants to bring you down.
“So, it is important to have strong support.
“In Malaysia, bodybuilding is a taboo for women.
“Besides, not many women are interested in the sport because of the bulky physical look.
“I am, however, grateful that my family is supportive of my decision.”
Heng hoped to see more women take up bodybuilding and advised those interested but fearful of beto ing criticised just try out the sport.
Currently,
Heng is training for her fourth bodybuilding competition — Mr Olympia,
Women Physique Category — in Hong Kong at the end of the month.
Heng flipping a tractor tyre.