KUCHING: After nearly three decades of dominating the national stage, winning four world championship titles, and contributing significantly to bodybuilding in Sarawak, next year may mark the end of Buda Anchah’s illustrious career.
In recent years, Buda’s name has been synonymous with Sarawak’s bodybuilding legacy, following in the footsteps of pioneers like Salomon Esmanto, Bujang Taha, and Asian bodybuilding champion Liaw Teck Leong from the 1990s.
Despite the emergence of relatively younger talents like Malvern Abdullah, Sarawak has maintained a prominent position in the Malaysian bodybuilding scene. Buda, a former Air Force personnel based in Kuala Lumpur during the 1990s, rose to prominence by winning his first national title in 2006.
The six-time Mr Malaysia has clinched four World titles, Asian titles, and SEA Games medals, revitalising Malaysian bodybuilding and putting Sarawak back on the map.
As Sri Aman-born Buda, 52, contemplates retirement due to the inevitable effects of aging and slower recovery times, he expressed confidence in the younger generation of bodybuilders in Sarawak. Malvern, a few years junior to Buda, has already made a mark since 2013.
Buda is determined to guide and share his extensive experience, acknowledging the complexities of bodybuilding, particularly the strict dieting rules. He believes Sarawak’s potential successors, such as Azri Azmat Sefri, a bronze medalist at the Asian Bodybuilding Championships, and others like Philomena Dexclyn Siar, can carry on the torch for Sarawak in international competitions.
“I had planned to retire and concentrate on guiding the young talents all over Malaysia but the other part of me also thinks I should give it another go to guide the young as they need encouragement in the highly competitive competitions at the national level.
“Nowadays, they are very strict on doping and it is very important to give these inexperienced athletes advice on their dieting as there are substances that may be banned.”
While Buda has phased out from competing internationally, he remains committed to contributing to the sport. His recent participation in the Asian Championships in Kathmandu resulted in a gold in the masters category and a bronze in the lighter category, showcasing that his passion for the sport still burns bright.
Throughout his career, Buda has amassed an impressive record, including four world titles, 12 Asian titles, a bronze in the 2013 SEA Games, and a silver in the SEA Games held in Vietnam in 2022.
