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| Amazing feat: Syarul Azman Mike Mahen posing with the gold medal after the men’s athletic physique up to 170cm event of the World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships in Thailand yesterday. |
The 43-year-old, a former Kuala Lumpur football player, claimed the gold medal in the men’s athletic physique up to 170 cm event at the World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships in Pattaya, Thailand, yesterday.
It was the second gold medal for Malaysia at the world meet after Lilian Tan won the first in the women’s above 55 kg category on Friday.
Lilian finished ahead of Vietnamese favourite Nguyen Thi My Linh to secure her third career gold medal in the world meet.
The Malaysian team had more cause for joy on the final day when Syarul flexed his way to his first triumph in a field of 11 finalists.
The gold medal had always eluded Syarul, who is the reigning Asian champion. But not this time.
He marked his world meet debut with a silver in 2010. The physical fitness instructor from Kuala Lumpur did not compete the following year, but claimed three successive bronze medals from 2012.
Last year, Syarul won the Asian title for the first time in Uzbekistan before taking another silver at the world meet.
“Words can’t describe how I feel right now ... to win the gold medal after trying so many times.
“My preparations were better this time.
“I was also determined to prove a point to the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) ... that they are wrong in not including bodybuilding in the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games next year.
“We showed that we can contribute gold medals ... it is their loss.
“I want to thank the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Malaysian Body Building Federation (MBBF) for their support and funding ... and also my family and supporters,” said Syarul, who only got into the sport after a knee injury forced him to hang up his football boots in 1992.
Source: The Star | Other Sports | 5 December 2016
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