Bodybuilding: USA stint stuns duo

BODYBUIDERS Liaw Teck Leong and Sazali Abdul Samad had always thought they were lifting weights the right way and eating the right kind food.

However, they found out that they were wrong when the duo attended a three-week training stint in California.

"We learnt more in the three weeks than what we have learnt in the past five years," said the 40-year-old Teck Leong at the National Sports Council (NSC) headquarters yesterday.

"However, it’s a pity that we were only sent there during our final phase of preparation for the Doha Asian Games."

In California, Teck Leong and Sazali trained under renowned professional bodybuilder Milos Sarcev at the Colloseum Gym in Los Angeles, from July 12- Aug 7.

Both were put through a hardcore regime, where they experienced pain like never before.

Teck Leong said it would have been better if he and Sazali had trained under Sarcev earlier this year.

"We could have been in better condition for the Games.

"It was a totally new experience for both of us. We were exposed to high-intensity training for long hours and the pain we suffered was unimaginable.

"He also taught us on diet and nutrition to reduce bodyfat," said Teck Leong.

Before returning, both bodybuilders were given a strict training and nutrition programme to follow.

The duo will return to California for another three-week stint after the World Amateur Championships in the Czech Republic on Oct 26-30 under the guidance of the 42-year-old Sarcev.

Sazali will be going for his third bantamweight title while Teck Leong will be gunning for a top five finish in the world meet.

In the Asian Games, the Malaysian Bobybuilding Federation has targeted a gold and silver from the duo.

It will be Teck Leong’s second Asian Games. He clinched a silver medal in the light-middleweight category (below 80kg) in Busan four years ago.

For Sazali, 39, it will be his first Asian Games. He was supposed to compete in Busan but was suspended after appearing in a nutrition advertisement which is not allowed among amateur bodybuilders.

Sazali will be competing in the bantamweight (below 65kg) in Doha.