Sazali is Mr. Perfect 10, Lilian wins her first

Sazali Samad (centre) won his 10th title in the men's 75kg at the World Bodybuilding and Fitness Physique championships in Mumbai on Tuesday.

PETALING JAYA: Sazali Samad and Lilian Tan capped a wonderful evening for Malaysia when they emerged triumphant on the final day of the World Bodybuilding and Fitness Physique (WBFP) championships in Mumbai.

Sazali won the below 75kg men’s weight class on Tuesday to make it an unprecedented 10th success at the world meet.

Sazali, who beat a field of finalists including Indian hope Boby Aramban Singh, was delighted to add the world title to the Asian crown he won in Macau in August.

Sazali won his first world title in 1996 and went on to add to his illustrious collection with successful attempts in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013.

“This is my 10th world title and no words can describe how I feel to bring home this gold medal. It gets harder each time and especially this year as I have moved up from 70kg previously.

“I had to focus on conditioning to make sure my muscles stay in shape and at the same time keep within the body weight.

“Discipline is what keeps me going all these years. I dedicate this to my country,” said the reigning National Sportsman of the Year from Mumbai.

The 46-year-old Sazali was not the only Malaysian winner in Mumbai. Lilian enjoyed the satisfaction of a successful comeback to active competition after one year of absence to win the 55kg women’s weight division.

Lilian, who works as a personal trainer, became the first Malaysian women bodybuilder to win a world title when she won the 50kg weight class in Bangkok in 2012.

Malaysia also claimed silver through Buda Anchah in the men’s 80kg weight class while Syarul Azman Mike Mahen clinched the bronze in the men’s 170cm body physique category.

Four other Malaysians – Mohd Roszaimi Rani, Malvern Abdullah, Azahar Mohd and Mohayan Rosmaini, failed to reach the final.

by Lim Teik Huat - The Star

Comments

Ex-coach's jail sentence cut to a year

PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal yesterday sentenced former athletics coach C. Ramanathan to 12 months' jail for molesting two junior athletes 19 years ago. A three-man bench led by Datuk Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus unanimously dismissed Ramanathan's appeal against conviction, but varied the jail sentence of four years to a year, which was to run concurrently. Following yesterday's ruling, Ramanathan, 75, a former teacher, walked out a free man as he had served 10 months in Kajang Prison. Convicts get one-third remission for good behaviour while in prison. However, he will lose his pension. Hishamudin, who sat with Datuk Abdul Wahab Patail and Datuk Linton Albert, said the court found no merit to overturn the conviction. "However, in reducing the sentence, we considered Ramanathan's age and the long years the appeal has taken." Deputy public prosecutor Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud submitted that then High Court judge Tan Sri Abdull Hamid E...

Govt Always Gives Emphasis To Sporting Culture, Says PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 29 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badaw i said the government always gives emphasis on cultivating a strong sporting culture in achieving excellence at the international level. As such, the Prime Minister said, it was important to scout for young talents in sports. "I observe that the Malaysia Games (Sukma) has become one of the important platforms to do so. "In this arena, the potentials and skills of the youngsters can be identified for development so that they can achieve greater success in sports," he said in his message in the souvenir book of the 12th Sukma from May 31 until June 9. Abdullah said he was aware that competition in sports was very keen and challenging but this did not mean that Malaysian athletes were incapable of competing at the international level. "The fact is that we have all the characteristics required to be excellent. We must inculcate a strong fighting spirit so that we don't easily surrender,...

Chance to catch Messi and company

FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and vice president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin with FC Barcelona chief executive officer Antoni Rossich yesterday. Pic by Osman Adnan LIONEL Messi's presence alone could sell half the tickets despite reigning world club champions FC Barcelona's date with a Malaysian XI at the National Stadium on Aug 10 falling on the third day of Hari Raya. The much anticipated visit of the four-time European champions comes with expectations from fans who want a full star-studded line-up. "The summer will be a busy period with a lot of uncertainty with players moving away and coming in. "But yes, our plans are to bring our full team here," said FC Barcelona chief executive officer Antoni Rossich yesterday. Rossich was speaking at the announcement of the friendly match, which is part of the three-match FC Barcelona Asia Tour 2013, which sees the giants also visiting China and Thailand. Also pre...

Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!

Search This Blog