KUALA LUMPUR: Six-time world champion Syarul Azman Mahen Abdullah admitted that age is catching up, and he is struggling to cope with the demands of competing at world level.
The 50-year-old clinched his sixth crown in the men's athletic physique category at the World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships in Gangwon, South Korea last week.
He also won the Asian title in Nepal on Sept 5.
Syarul hopes that his sixth world and Asian titles will land him the elusive National Sportsman award.
"It's getting harder for me to keep up with rivals half my age.
"I have to double my training and it takes longer for me to recover from the intense training," said Syarul who won the world titles in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022.
"My brain tells me that I can compete for two more years at international level, but my body is not keen on two more years of rigorous training and dieting.
"I was nominated for the Sportsman of the Year award five times but I always missed out.
"This year I believe I deserve to win it. Winning the award would be the best recognition for this sport."
In retrospect, Syarul was a budding footballer with Kuala Lumpur but suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during a Baradhan Cup match when he was 19.
He joined a gym to improve the muscles around his knee and ended up falling in love with bodybuilding.
"I loved football and believed I could be a successful footballer but the (ACL) injury was bad," said Syarul.
"I have gone through hardship and disappointment but there's always a result behind hard work.
The key is to never give up and have discipline," he added. K. Rajan
kw: bodybuilding, Syarul Azman Mahen Abdullah, World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships, National Sportsman award