Beginner’s luck for car salesman at inaugural Serian event
SERIAN: It was a fruitful maiden attempt for Azli Suhaili, 31, when he was announced the winner of the Above-168cm category of the inaugural Mr Badan Cantik Serian 2019 staged here last Saturday.
The car salesman outflexed the other top finalists Arif Azhan Mohd Ghazali and Risduan Hussain who finished second and third respectively. All three are from Kuching. “It was an unexpected win, seeing that I have only been in this sport in just over one year. Still, this is a very encouraging feat and I strive to be better going forward,” said Azli. The competition was run by Iron Hardcore Bodybuilding Club Kota Samarahan ( BBIC) in collaboration with Pertubuhan Islam Gabungan Amal ( PER3), organiser of the inaugural Serian International Bike Week at Tasik Danu here over the weekend.
According to Azli, the experience gained from the Serian competition would help him prepare for the Kuching selection ahead of this year’s Mr Sarawak championships to be held in Kuching.
“I am excited for the Kuching selection, where I would enter the Athletic Physique – 170cm and Above category,” he said.
In the Under-168cm category, young muscleman Erwin Stephen emerged the winner after beating topcontendersHamizulJahwifrom Kuching and Muhamad Zarudin Nawi from Kota Samarahan.
The 24-year- old, who works as a manufacturing technician in Samajaya, said the Serian event was his fifth competition since he entered the sport back in 2017.
According to BBIC president Zulkarnain Abdul lah, t he representatives of PER3 had first approached the club and enquired about the possibility of holding an event that could make the festival more lively and exciting.
“Seeing that we have done ‘big bikers’- themed bodybuilding competitions several times, we agreed to it immediately, with blessing from SBBA ( Sarawak Bodybui lding Associat ion) president Dato Wee Hong Seng.
“We’re also happy not only because this is the first competition of its kind for Serian Division, but it’s also the first competition that opens Sarawak’s bodybuilding season this year. We are very encouraged,” said Zulkarnain, who is also a big bike enthusiast and a seasoned bodybuilding judge certified by the Malaysian Bodybuilding Federation.
T he t h r e e - d ay S e r i a n International Bike Week 2019 concluded yesterday.