It’s back to the grind
After winning Asia crown, Mike must get down to train for the world title
PETALING JAYA: There’s no time to celebrate for Syarul Azman Mike Mahen after clinching his fourth Mr. Asia title at the 52nd Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports championships in Pune, India.
Mike overcame stiff challenges from Indian, Iranian and Vietnamese bodybuilders to reign supreme in the men’s athletic physique up to 170cm below 71kg category at the Shri Shiv Chatrapati Sports Complex in Pune yesterday. But now his attention has shifted towards defending his world title in Thailand in December.
The Kuala Lumpur local thanked the National Athletes Welfare Foundation (Yakeb), National Sports Institute (NSI) and the National Sports Council (NSC) for their support.
“My job is not over yet. I’ll be back to Kuala Lumpur on Monday (today) and will start my training immediately to defend my world title in Thailand in December,” said Mike, who aims to complete a hattrick of world titles at the World Bodybuilding and Physique Championships.
“For bodybuilders, the competition period starts at the end of the year, so this win puts me on track to defend my world title. I need to thank Yakeb, NSI, NSC because they arranged for gel injections for my knee before I went to compete in Pune.”
Mike said he needed the injections as the pain could be unbearable at times and could affect his performance during competitions.
“The pain on my knee is the result of an injury I sustained during my football-playing days in the early 1990s,” he said.
The former Kuala Lumpur footballer made his breakthrough by winning the Mr. Asia title in 2015 and has been unbeatable since.
Mike said despite claiming his fourth title, he actually faced his toughest competition as more younger opponents competed in Pune.
“This year’s competition is one of the toughest I’ve had to face... I’m the oldest competitor in my category, the others are 20 and 30 yearolds with exquisite muscle definition,” said the 45-year-old.
“I had to go all out to win especially against the Indians, Iranians and Vietnamese who came out strong and gave everyone a run for their money. The world championship will be harder than this because top bodybuilders all over the world be competing.”