Joseph Ladi wears Mr Kuching crown for the second time
KUCHING: Joseph Ladi won the Mr Kuching title for the second time at the annual divisional bodybuilding championship held at Plaza Merdeka here yesterday.
The 31-year-old was crowned ‘Winner of Winners’ and the 70kg and below category, defeating Abang Ahmad Agus Khalil Abang Ibrahim and Ismail Jahwi.
In the 70-80kg category, school teacher Wilfred Harding emerged as champion after fending off the challenge of Lansconnery Ripit and newcomer Ariff Amaruddin Azmi. Huang Chee Yan won the 80kg and above title with Roslie Jamawi coming second and Mohd Kamarrudin Mustapha third.
In the ‘Athletic Physique’ category, which attracted the most participants, Mohd Affizan Abdullah overcame runner-up Azmir Ajis and third placed Noor Iskandar Mohamad Alifa for the 170cm and below title while Muhamad Azri Nazaruddin captured the 170 cm and above crown defeating Azwan Rosdan dan Arif Azhan Mohamad Ghazali.
The event was officiated by Sarawak Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, accompanied by Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) mayor Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang July and Sarawak Bodybuilding Association (SBBA) president Dato Wee Hong Seng.
Dr Sim expressed the hope that the sport which has won many honours for the state be given special attention.
“Sarawak have won many sports honours through bodybuilding. I think we should help the state’s bodybuilding set up in the best possible way we can,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wee announced that trophies offered for next month’s Mr Sarawak championship will be renamed.
The Masters champion will be named the Dr YY Lee Cup while the Bujang Taha Cup will be for the Junior champion. Winners of Athletic Physique category will receive the Soloman Cup.
“This move signifies our way to honour and acknowledge our bodybuilding legends, remembering their contributions to this sport in a way that we all can physically see - hopefully for all posterity. I would also like to convey deepest appreciation to our first president, Dr YY Lee who had led the association from 1963 up to 2003.,” Wee said.
Also present were SBBS secretary Andy Ismail, treasurer Sonny Chia, Sarawak State Sports Council officer Ikmal Affandi and Plaza Merdeka marketing manager Leovel Sam Avenido.