Sazali Wins Third World Title

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- Bodybuilder Sazali Samad did the nation proud by clinching his third world title in the bantamweight category at the 60th World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic, Sunday.

He became the first bodybuilder in the world to win the title thrice in the same weight category (bantamweight 65kg).

Sazali, who was runner-up to Jose Carlos Santos of Brazil in last year's championships held in Shanghai, China, told Bernama when contacted in Vienna, Austria Monday that the win was all the sweeter for him as he had beaten the Brazilian to the title this time around.

The 39-year-old Sazali, a policeman, claimed his first world title in 2000 when the championship was held in Melaka, Malaysia, and accomplished a similar feat in Moscow, Russia, four years later (2004).

"I'm certainly overjoyed with the win and more importantly, being able to hoist the Malaysian flag," he said.

Malaysian Body Building Federation (MBBF) secretary-general Francis Yong, who accompanied the bodybuilders as team manager, said the competition was very stiff, especially from Carlos who has won five titles.

According to Yong, the third place went to Anwar Ahmed Mohamed of Egypt.

Sazali's good showing in the world meet certainly augurs well for the country's medal hopes in the Doha Asian Games in Qatar next month as he will be part of the Malaysian contingent for the Games.

Yong said 20 competitors took part in the category.