IT turned out to be a memorable affair for Malaysian bodybuilders at the World Bodybuilding and Physique Championships in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Sazali Samad claimed his 10th Mr. Universe title while Lilian Tan captured her second world title in the women’s 55kg category.
Despite being 46-years-old, the age factor did not stop Sazali from successfully flexing his muscles for the 75kg category gold medal.
Sazali led the way through pre-judging and maintained his form in the final to notch an unprecedented triumph for Malaysia.
The Batu Pahat-born sub-inspector clinched his first Mr Universe title in the 65kg category in Malacca in 2000, followed by wins in Moscow (2004) and Ostrava, Czech Republic (2006).
Sazali later shifted to the lightweight (70kg) category and won it on his first attempt in Jeju, South Korea (2007) before notching wins in Dubai (2009), Varanasi, India (2010), Malacca (2011), Bangkok (2012) and Budaors, Hungary (2013).
Sazali, a nine-time Mr Asia champion, was close to tears after the judges awarded him the title.
”No words can describe how I feel. I don’t think anyone has achieved 10 Mr. Universe titles in bodybuilding. It gets tougher each time and especially this year as I moved up from 70kg previously,” said Sazali.
“I had to focus on conditioning to make sure my muscles stayed in shape. Discipline in training was the key to my success.”
Lilian mesmerised the judges with her pose and perfect muscled body to win the 55kg event. In 2012, the 42-year-old won the 50kg category but the Penang-born did not compete last year.
Compatriot Buda Anchah, 40, finished second in the Masters Open (80kg) category while Syarul Azman Mike Mahen Abdullah took third in the men’s Athletic Physique 170cm event.