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.
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| Lilian Tan |
