Sarawak women's bodybuilder to the world title in Laos

KUCHING, 11 Oct: Sarawak female bodybuilder Siti Hadjar Mansor aims for the world title at the World Bodybuilding Championships in Laos this December, after winning gold at the 58th Asian Physical Sports and Bodybuilding Championships in Bangkok, Thailand.

Siti Hadjar, 42, who represented Malaysia at the tournament held from 22 to 28 September last year, emerged as the champion in the 55kg women's category, thus cementing her country and Sarawak internationally.

He said the success was the result of nine months of preparation with intensive training to reach the championship-winning goal after placing third in the 2024 edition.

"After the World Cup in 2025, I was determined to get first place. I've been preparing for nine months and practicing hard because my goal is to be a champion", he said when meeting TVS on Saturday.

According to the Sarawak-born athlete, preparation for this time's Asian championships also tested his mental and physical resilience, especially when he had to balance the demands of work with training routines.

He said he had to get up early to do cardio training and prepare meals, as well as continue training seven times a week for the last two months before the competition.

The challenge was also accompanied by injuries such as elbow tennis and shoulder injuries, which required attention during training ahead of the tournament.

Siti Hadjar said that the absence of his coach, Awang Mohd Azizul, who was unable to accompany him at the last minute due to unavoidable circumstances, was also a challenge throughout the tournament in Bangkok.

However, he received the guidance of his national coach, Anchah's son Buda, when facing competitors from 24 countries taking part in the tournament.

Commenting on the achievement, he said that it proved Sarawak women are also capable of competing in bodybuilding internationally, which is often associated with male athlete participation.

"I want women in Sarawak to be proud that we have female athletes who can compete internationally. I hope more women are interested in participating in bodybuilding", she said.

She also welcomed the participation of women interested in the sport and hoped her success could be an incentive for more female athletes to try out the field.

Siti Hadjar is now focusing on preparations for the World Bodybuilding Championships in Laos this December, with a goal to once again emerge champion despite still recovering from injury. -TVS