Kuching Zone team the ‘Best Contingent’
MIRI: It was a triumphant feat by Maskabi Kabar at the annual 52nd Mr Sarawak bodybuilding championships, here, recently after he outshone six other strong contenders to clinch the coveted ‘Champion of Champions’ crown.
The grand victory was also the first for the seasoned bodybuilder, who is the Miri Zone champion for four consecutive years since 2014.
The 36-year-old Miri Hospital personnel had first won over finalists Louis Glass from Kuching, Anthony Tebie Raphael and Mohamad Kairul Semione – both from Sibu – in the lightweight category.
Later at the clash of champions staged at Boulevard Shopping Mall, here, he went up against other category winners Anthony Cadrick Nyisong of Kuching (flyweight), Wilfred Harding of Kuching (bantamweight), Mohd Sani Sanawi of Kuching (welterweight), Jacob Jinggut Vincent of Miri (light middleweight), Huang Chee Yan of Kuching (middleweight) and Donny Fam of Kuching (light heavyweight).
“This is really surreal. I can’t even say it’s a dream come true because I’ve never even dreamt of winning this title. I have to thank my father Kabar Eni for pushing me into bodybuilding, my family, especially my wife Zailatul Asmah Sulaini for their love and hardcore support, my colleagues, as well as all my friends and supporters from 360 Gym,” said Maskabi, who made his competitive debut at Mr Fitness Miri 2012.
His win earned him a spot in the Sarawak contingent for Mr Malaysia 2017, which will be taking place at Puchong in Selangor from May 18 to 21.
On this, Maskabi hoped that he and his teammates would receive funding from the government and corporate sponsors to cover the preparation costs for Mr Malaysia 2017.
“Preparations are very expensive, especially with us aiming to give a good fight in Puchong. We would appreciate all the support that we could get,” he said.
Overall, the Kuching Zone team was named ‘Best Contingent’ for excelling in seven out 11 categories including Athletics Physique Under-170cm and Masters categories through Mohd Faizal Mat Rashid and Zulazman Mohamad Bujang, respectively.
Mohd Faizal Bojing of Miri was chosen by the judges as the ‘Best Poser’ based on his entertaining solo routine on stage.
Earlier, Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports, Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who officiated at the opening ceremony, commended Miri Division Bodybuilding Association (PBBBM) for hosting the 52nd edition of the state-level tournament this year.
“I grew up with names like Bujang Taha and Soloman Esmanto, our very own bodybuilding legends who had made Sarawak proud in international competitions. So seeing all the musclemen here today reminds us all that Sarawak is never short of potential talents in bodybuilding even after more than 50 years. “We have this crop of new and young athletes to hold the torch but having said this, it is our (ministry’s) and also the associations’ responsibility to make sure that this succession plan would continue its momentum. For us at the ministry, we strive to render our support – you are assured of this,” he said in his opening remarks.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Bodybuilding Association (SBBA) president Dato Wee Hong Seng expressed his appreciation to Karim for the latter’s all-out support in the development of sports in Sarawak.
“You have always been hands-down and hands-on in major sports events in Sarawak, most significantly when the state hosted the prestigious Malaysia Games and the National Paralympics last year, as well as the recent Celcom-Axiata Malaysia Open 2017 Badminton Championships.
“Now, you are present for our event and for that, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Wee also took the opportunity to announce the proposal to host a regional-level bodybuilding tournament slated for the year-end.
“This championship is suggested to be renamed as ‘Bujang Taha Classic’ — in honour of our very own bodybuilding legend, the late two-time Mr Asia Bujang Taha. So to the athletes, be prepared for this competition,” he said.
PBBBM president Jamilah Ibrahim said the hosting job for the annual Mr Sarawak championships signified the rise in awareness of not only the sport, but also the fit and healthy lifestyle among the Mirians. “This is inspired by the call by the government for all Malaysians to make sports and recreational activities as a culture.
“In this regard, we would like to thank the government, specifically the Miri City Council on its partin providing various facilities like parks and open exercise grounds for the local community to run their sports and recreational activities,” she said.
Deputy Miri Mayor Julaihi Mohamad and Sibu Division Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Association (SDBWA) president Chia Soon Cheong were also present as the guests-of-honour.
