600-strong crowd get wowed at 48th National Bodybuilding Championships

Story and photos by REDintern Mai A Malek

Kreta Ayer People's Theatre, Saturday, April 10, 2010 - Some see it as a sport, some see it as an art. Whatever the reason, the annual National Bodybuilding and Physique Championships managed to attract a strong crowd of more than 600. Formerly known as the National Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships, the annual bodybuilding event has entered its 48th year.

As mentioned by Mr. Paul Chua, Honorary Life President of the Singapore Bodybuilding Federation (SBBF), in his opening address, "The popularity of bodybuilding is becoming greater by the years."

The event kicked off with six junior bodybuilders in the under-60kg category taking the stage. The crowd ooh-ed and ahh-ed as the contestants showed what they had after a grueling 3-month long training period.

20-year-old Zen Low wowed the crowd as he raised the atmosphere during his compulsory one-minute posing routine to the accompaniment of the Black Eyed Peas hit, "Pump It". It was all smiles for Zen when he was crowned as the champion for the category.

For first-time competitor Liang Adam Ridzuan, his inaugural appearance was indeed a memorable one as he bagged the second runners-up position in the same category.

"It has been 14 weeks of hell," said the 21-year-old, "and I feel really happy to have won."

The soft-spoken bodybuilder added that he would definitely continue to compete in future as he sees bodybuilding as an individual sport which he is very comfortable with as it enables him to spot his own mistakes and not one which involves any finger-pointing should anything go wrong. Liang also clinched the third placing in the senior men's under-60kg category.

Things got a little more spiced up in the senior men's under-60kg with hot favourite Fairuz So'od. The category champion was finally able to take to the stage again after a two-year ban from the sport.

"I feel as if I'm back at home, though I didn't actually expect such good results. After all, it's all about having fun," said the two-time national champion whose strong passion for bodybuilding never failed to stop him from training during his two-year ban.

Spotted in the audience was former National Junior Lightweight champion, Farhan Rahmad, who gave a thumbs-up to the event. The aspiring bodybuilder, who aims to follow after his coach, Azman Abdullah, former Mr. Universe of 1993 and also the current national coach, was all smiles as he describes the local bodybuilding scene as simply "awesome".

"I feel that the standard has been brought to greater heights," said the 21-year-old who is currently pursuing his National Service with the Home Team.

"I have to admit that I hate the feeling of not being able to compete, considering the fact that it's my last junior year and knowing that I could have been at my best this year," added the teen who also won the Mr. Cairnhill Classic Bodybuilding title in 2008.

For Marcus Fam, it was a day to remember as he clinched the first placing for the senior men's under-70kg category, as well as the title of Mr. Athletic Physique. The 29-year-old P.E. teacher, who is currently teaching in Serangoon Junior College said that many would comment how narcissistic and selfish the sport is but he thought otherwise and considered bodybuilding a rare individual sport.

Like Fairuz So'od, Marcus did not expect such a triumphant win as he thought he could have been better. When interviewed after receiving his trophy for the under-70kg category, his mother, Monica Cheng, came along, teary-eyed and held her son's hand tightly.

"I love you," she said in the presence of Marcus's supporters comprising mainly of his family, friends and colleagues as well as a little student fan club from Serangoon Junior College, who were touched by what they witnessed. Mdm Cheng mentioned that she has always been supportive of her son and would not stop him from competing. Instead, she and the other family members motivate him by asking him to "go easy".

"I know the diet that he has to go through is very tough for him, and I admit I can never have that kind of discipline that I see in him when it comes to the sport," said Mdm Cheng.

When asked if she ever sees bodybuilding as an unhealthy sport for his son, Mdm Cheng gave shook her head right away.

"That's his dream," said Ms Cheng. "That's what he wants."