Buda eyeing hattrick in upcoming Mr Asia
KUCHING: Two- time Mr Asia double gold medallist Buda Ancha is defending his titles and seeking a hat-trick of wins in the 51st Mr Asia Bodybuilding Championship to be held in South Korea in August.
The 45-year- old bodybuilder, who retired from the Royal Malaysia Air Force as Warrant Officer 1 last year, will compete in the Masters and 70kg categories.
He is one of the four bodybuilders representing Malaysia at the championship, the other two Dr Malvern Abdullah and Awang Mohd Azizul Ghani are also from Sarawak while Mohd Syahrul Azman Mahen Abdullah of Kuala Lumpur will vie for the Athletic Physique honours.
Mal vern will be in the bantamweight and Azizul in the welterweight categories.
Buda is feeling confident but admits that it could be tough as there are many underdogs from other countries especially from Thailand.
“I know what to do if I know who are my opponents but lately there are many newcomers and youngsters that I do not know,” he said.
He has been doing a study on probable opponents on Facebook and expects threats from younger opponents.
Currently working as a security officer with the Sarawak Sports Corporation, Buda said he is now preparing more on his body symmetery and size of muscles during his training sessions at Iron Hardcore Gym in Samarahan and Gymbox.
Buda, who has been involved in bodybuilding for 22 years, has represented Malaysia since 2006 and won numerous accolades in the international arena.
These include gold medals in Mr World, Malacca, Malaysia in 2011 and Mr World, Budapest, Hungary in 2013 as well as bronze in Mr World, Dubai in 2009, double golds in Mr Asia, Macau in 2014 and Mr Asia, Bhutan in 2016, bronze in Mr Asia, Uzbekistan in 2015.
Other achievements are gold medals in Asia Paci f ic, the Philippines in 2011, Jakarta Open in 2011 and Mr Asean in 2013.
He is even looking further ahead to defending his titles in the 9th World Bodybuilding Championship in Mongolia in November.
One of the four holders of Licence C in Bodybuilding coaching in Malaysia and an international judge, Buda is open to coaching the state bodybuilding team if his services are needed.
I know what to do if I know who are my opponents but lately there are many newcomers and youngsters that I do not know. Buda Ancha, two-time Mr Asia