KUCHING: While cleaning the cluttered storeroom of her parents’ house one day, she stumbled upon a fitness magazine. The cover featured a confident female athlete with well-defined muscles and a lean physique. The image left a deep impression on her, inspiring her to join a gym with the sole intention of shedding the weight that had burdened her for years.
“I joined a gym because I was overweight, about 80kg. I knew I needed to lose some weight to be healthier and, of course, to feel and look more confident,” she recalled.
Little did she know that this decision would lead to a remarkable turn in her life. At the same gym where she embarked on her weight loss journey, she caught the attention of Dr Malvern Abdullah, a fellow bodybuilding athlete. This encounter marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life, one that would take her into the world of bodybuilding and self-discovery.
Her name is Philomena Dexclyn Siar, and she has made history by winning a gold medal at the 55th Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships in Kathmandu, Nepal in September this year. She is the first Sarawakian woman to achieve such a title in the Asian competition.
Speaking to the New Sarawak Tribune recently, Philomena shared that she did not expect to win the gold medal. She had hoped it would be “good enough” if she could place in the top five.
“This gold medal marks another significant milestone in my athletic career, and it secures my place in the national team, where there will be funds and grants. Before this, I have been using my own money to join competitions.”
Before her recent victory, she won a silver medal at the 16th Southeast Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships in Yangon, Myanmar in 2018.
Challenges in a Male-Dominated Sport
Philomena began her journey in the male-dominated sport in 2016 and has faced various challenges along the way. One of the major obstacles has been the lack of female mentors, coaches, or teammates to provide essential support.
Feeling constantly intimidated and judged by predominantly male gym-goers, she realized that her unique approach to workouts, tailored to her goals, set her apart.
“It’s not uncommon for men, accustomed to heavy lifting, to feel threatened when I handle 70% of their weights, sometimes even attempting to disrupt my workouts,” she shared.
Apart from that, she addressed misconceptions surrounding women in bodybuilding and weightlifting. These misconceptions often revolve around fears of bulking up, losing feminine features, and potential health risks.
However, the fact is that women naturally possess fewer muscle-building hormones than men. Therefore, building significant muscle as a woman is a more challenging and time-consuming endeavour compared to men.
“This does not mean that bodybuilding is not for women. It simply means that we need more time.”
Philomena further explained that women’s bodybuilding offers a wide range of categories, from smaller sizes to more muscular physiques. These categories include model, sport, fitness, athletic, and bodybuilding. The choice of how to sculpt one’s body and which category to aspire to compete in is entirely up to the individual.
“I am living proof that bodybuilding and weightlifting do not turn women into ‘The Hulk’—a big, angry, and muscular monster,” she quipped.
“Despite my heavy training regimen, daily dedication, and strict dietary habits, I have achieved a fit and toned physique, reflecting a healthy and empowered woman with increased self-confidence.”
Philomena currently maintains a weight between 58kg and 60kg during the off-season and 50kg for competition weight.
Advice for Aspiring Female Bodybuilders and Weightlifters
For women considering entering the world of bodybuilding or weightlifting, Philomena emphasized the importance of investing in a reputable personal coach.
“Look for someone with a solid track record in both knowledge and competition experiences in these fields. This coach will not only guide you but also relate to your journey as an athlete.”
She also highlighted that bodybuilding and weightlifting are undeniably expensive and demanding sports, requiring unwavering dedication, motivation, and an unrelenting drive.
“Therefore, be prepared to make sacrifices, whether in terms of time, social life, or leisure activities. This path isn’t for the faint-hearted.”
“Above all, remember to never give up when you encounter challenges, hardships, or pressure. In this demanding journey, resilience is your best friend.”
What’s Next?
Philomena’s next target is to win gold in the World Championships, which will be held in South Korea in November. However, her aspirations extend far beyond personal success. She is determined to raise awareness and promote the sport, encouraging more women to take up bodybuilding.
“For my personal goal and career, I will continue bodybuilding as long as my body allows me. At the same time, I hope to identify more talents and scout more potential women bodybuilders in Sarawak.”
She also has plans to create more local and national championship platforms, offering women the opportunity to step onto the competition stage and maximize their full potential. To ensure the sustainability of this vision, she aims to open doors to coaching bodybuilding-specific courses for women, providing high-quality female bodybuilding coaches.
She believes that this will be instrumental in shaping the next generation of women bodybuilders and competitive athletes. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of support and equal opportunities from the Sarawak government, sports bodies, and organizations for female bodybuilders.
She calls for collective efforts to organize more events, programs, and courses on sports science knowledge in bodybuilding. This includes ensuring access to top-notch sports facilities for stage and competition performances and offering sports grants to fuel sports development programs and competition organization.
“The future of female bodybuilding depends on such collective effort,” Philomena emphasised.
