Syarul to take five-month break after winning third title

PETALING JAYA: It’s time for bodybuilder Syarul Azman Mike Mahen (pic) to take a welldeserved break after a fruitful year.

The 44yearold capped off a splendid season by winning his third title in the athletic physique up to 170cm category at the inaugural China International Bodybuilding Open in Zhejiang on Sunday.

The Kuala Lumpurborn Syarul had earlier claimed his third Asian Championships title in South Korea in August and then went on to retain his crown at the World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships in Mongolia on Oct 7.

“I’ll be heading straight to my mother’s place for a proper Deepavali meal after coming back to KL,” said Syarul from Zhejiang yesterday.

“I missed celebrating Deepavali with my mother because I was on diet. Before that I was dieting for the Asian and World Championships.”

Syarul, a former Kuala Lumpur footballer, said he would take a fivemonth break before beginning preparations for next year’s championships.

“I’ll use this break to recover from a knee injury. I fell off my scooter due to a punctured tyre three days before the competition in China. I landed awkwardly on my knees. It was not too serious but I felt some pain when I was posing during the competition in China,” said the fitness trainer.

“I need to rehabilitate my knees in the offseason.

“The good thing is that I don’t have to go on diet for a couple of months,” he added.