By Arfandi Jaafar
Ranau to host Mr Borneo
KOTA KINABALU: Ranau will host the 2017 Mr Borneo Body Building and Physiques Championship on November 25.
Sabah Body Building Association acting president Joannes Staneslous said the championship is jointly organised by SBBA and Ranau District Bodybuilding Association.
A total of seven categories will be contested including five for bodybuilding namely 65kg and below, 65-75kg, 75-85kg and 85kg and above as well as a closed category for Ranau contestants only.
The two categories in the physiques event are men's 170cm and below and men's 170cm and above.
“As per previous editions before this one, we anticipate entries to include athletes from Sarawak, Labuan and Kalimantan and of course from all over Sabah.
“We have extended invitations to Sarawak, Brunei, Kalimantan and Labuan. So far their response has been encourageing,” Joannes said.
He said the championship, which is considered prestigious for athletes in Borneo, was not held last year. It was last organised by Sabah in 2015 and hosted by Keningau.
“The return of this championship is certainly a warm welcome because it gives bodybuilders in Borneo a chance to compete and showcase their talents,” Joannes said.
Meanwhile, Joannes hoped the early notice would urge bodybuilders in Sabah to double their efforts to prepare to grace the stage.
“We want to see them at their best form so that they may challenge for a spot on the podium and give all the other participants some serious rivalry,” he said.
“Surely as hosts for the tournament, we have some advantage in numbers. Having said that, it would be better to have quality representation than quantity although to have both would be the most ideal,” Joannes added.
He said SBBA together with Ranau District Bodybuilding Association led by its president Bob Frender James, were in Ranau recently to conduct inspections on the tournament venue and its suitability for the championship.