Alfie, Buda outmuscle rivals to win top titles
SIBU: A teacher and a former Royal Malaysian Air Force ( RMAF) officer were crowned Champion of Champions in the Mr Kenyalang Classic 2018 Bodybuilding Championships, held at Kingwood Hotel Sibu on Saturday evening.
Al f ie Khan, who teaches primary- school level Physical Education, won the Physique Above-170.1cm category pipping the Physique Under- 170 cm winner Azmir Ajis from Saratok to clinch the category’s overall championship.
Buda Anchah, who retired from the RMAF in 2016, excelled in the Above- 70.1kg category and later, shared the showdown stage with Under- 70kg winner Wilfred Harding , another schoolteacher, and emerged the grand champion.
The Mr Kenyalang competition was organised and hosted by Sibu Division Bodybui lding and Weightlifting Association ( SDBWA) , in col laboration with Sarawak Bodybui lding Association ( SBBA) and Borneo Bodybuilding Supplement ( BBS) as key sponsor.
The championships attracted nearly 40 competitors from Kuching, Serian, Kota Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Saratok, Dalat, Mukah, Sibu, Miri and Bintulu.
In his speech Sibu Division Resident Charles Siaw, who of f iciated at the ceremony, commended SDBWA for the organisation of bodybuilding competition.
“I was made to understand that the very idea of hosting a bodybuilding and physique competition speci f ical ly for Sarawakians came from Mr Chia Soon Cheong (SDBWA), and
I was made to understand that the very idea of hosting a bodybuilding and physique competition specifically for Sarawakians came from Mr Chia Soon Cheong (SDBWA), and strongly supported by Dato Wee Hong Seng (SBBA President). Charles Siaw, Sibu Division Resident
strongly supported by Dato Wee Hong Seng ( SBBA President),” said Siaw, who represented Minister of International Trade and E- Commerce Sarawak, Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, at the event.
Earlier in his speech, Wee who is also the Vice- President of Malaysian Bodybui lding Federation, hoped organisers of bodybuilding competitions would focus on unearthing new talents.
“Sarawak has been fortunate to have a line-up of bodybuilders who are ready to take on the mantle of our present champions like Buda Anchah, Dr Malvern Abdullah and Awang Azizul, who themselves have carried on the legacy from Mr Asia legends – the late Bujang Taha, the late Soloman Esmanto and Liaw Teck Leong.
“It is my hope that we sustain this achievement and continue to have a good pool of Sarawak bodybuilding talents. We can, and SBBA strives for this, but it cannot do it without the support and cooperation from all stakeholders,” said Wee.
Miri Division Bodybuilding Association President Cheyenne Murris, SDBWA Vice-President Ling Tung Hock and BBS Director Adrian Wong were also present.