THE Johor Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Association (JBWA) is planning to lobby for the Mr Malaysia 2009 competition to be held in Johor
President Ayub Rahmat said the association would discuss the matter with the National Body-building and Weightlifting Association during the Mr Malaysia 2008 contest to be held in Port Dickson.
“It is timely that next year’s contest should be held in Johor as the state is well known for producing international bodybuilders,” he said.
Ayub said that Johorean bodybuilders always emerged among the top three winners in different categories from previous Mr Malaysia contests at national level.
He said the famous Johor bodybuilders who not only made Johor proud but also Malaysia in the international bodybuilding competitions included Batu Pahat-born Malek Noor and Sazali Samad.
He was speaking at the Mr IOI-Johor 2008 at IOI Mall Bandar Putra Kulai jointly organised by JBWA, IOI Group, and Johor Sports Council recently.
This was the fifth year that it was held at the mall and, for the first time, the contest was divided into five categories with 50 bodybuilders taking part this year.
The categories were Junior for those below 21 years, Master for those 45 years in age and above, Bantam for those 65kg and below, Welter for those weighing 65kg and above and 75kg and below and Welter for 75kg and above.
Zainal Ariff, 19, and Muhamad Jasri, 20, came first and second in the Junior category respectively while Fendri Firdanzi, 21, took the third spot.
Winner in the Master category Ayob Said, 60, proved that one could look equally “muscular” at his age, Mohd Kamil Wan, 48, emerged second and The Ah Fook, 57, came in third.
Ten bodybuilders took part in the Master category with aged ranging from 46 to 73-years-old. The oldest participant was Ng Chow Seng.
Although he did not win any of the top three positions in the category, Ng received a thunderous applause from the crowd.
Crowd favourite in the Bantam category Ismail Hamid, 32, won the first spot with Hussin Bandu, 39, came second and the third placing went to Mustaffa Kamal, 34.
During the interval after the first three categories, guest bodybuilder Mr Universe 2007 Sazali Samad was invited to flaunt his muscles before a delighted crowd.
Muhammad Azam, 30, and Mohd Hafiziey, 21, took first and second placing respectively in the Welter category for 65kg and above and 75kg and below, Rostam Sidek, 35, took the third spot.
In the Welter category 75kg and above, Yaacob Ali, 38, was crowned champion, A. Hakim, 36, was placed second and Nor Azui Md Ali, 39, third.
IOI Mall Bandar Putra Kulai complex manager Goh Aik Liang said a similar event would be held next year at the same venue as it received good response from bodybuilders and the crowd.
