Meilaura to contest 8th World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship
KOTA KINABALU: Sabahan bodybuilder Meilaura Dora Jimmy is at it again as she prepares to represent the country at another world event, next month.
The 36-year-old from Kota Kinabalu will flex her muscles at the 8th World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship happening in Pattaya City, Thailand from Nov 29 to Dec 5.
Having competed at several international competitions in her short career in the sport, Meilaura is quickly becoming the face of the country in these sports at world level.
“She competed twice at the Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship in Macau (2014) and Vietnam (2013) and she finished respectably in third place in both occasions.
“This time we hope she will do even better but we are already very proud that she is making her world debut in this upcoming championship,” said Sabah Bodybuilding Association's Joannes Stanelous when met here yesterday.
The SBBA acting president was witnessing a simple sponsorship handing-over ceremony at the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) gym and fitness centre here, yesterday.
On hand to present the sponsorship was entrepreneur Dr Wong Su En @ Jeffery. Also present was SBBA treasurer Jeffery Thaddeus.
Only two Malaysians will compete in Pattaya and alongside Meilaura will be another athlete from the peninsula.
Meilaura will compete in the 55kg category in bodybuilding and she hopes to rise to the challenge for a podium finish.
“I hope I can do well...the competition will be very tough at world level but I will try my best to bring back a medal,” she said.
Towards this end, Joannes thanked Dr Wong for his willingness to support SBBA and their athletes and he hoped others would come forward to help ease the burden of travel and other costs involved for athletes to gain exposure from championships outside the country.
“We rely a lot on support from the private as well as the public sector to help our athletes gain the necessary exposure and we thank people like Dr Wong who are willing to make contributions,” he said.
Meilaura will depart for the national capital en route to Thailand on November 28. Those who wish to come forward for contribution of cash or kind can contact Joannes at 0138517730.