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KUCHING, Sept 7: Bidayuh bodybuilding athlete Philomena Dexclyn Siar has made history by becoming the first Sarawakian woman to win an Asian bodybuilding title after clinching the gold medal in the Women’s Sport Physique (Over 165cm) category at the 55th Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships in Kathmandu, Nepal recently.
In an impressive display of talent and dedication, Philomena outshone her competitors Nguyen Thi Kim Cuong from Vietnam and Ajaree Tansub from Thailand who earned the silver and bronze medals, respectively.
Philomena’s outstanding performance also significantly contributed to Team Malaysia’s stellar campaign at the championship, resulting in a total haul of four gold, one silver, and three bronze medals.
This achievement in Kathmandu marked Philomena’s third appearance in the Asian championships, following her Top 5 placing in the 2019 edition in Batam, Indonesia, and the competition held in the Maldives last year.
Her journey in competitive bodybuilding began at the FM League Physique War & Muscle War 2018 in Singapore, where she made her debut and secured a commendable sixth place in the Bikini Model category.
Additionally, at the World Bodybuilding & Physique Sports Championships held in Central Phuket, Thailand, in December 2022, Philomena demonstrated her versatility by finishing fourth in the Mixed Pair category.
Meanwhile, other Sarawakian athletes who added to Malaysia’s impressive medal tally were Buda Anchah who achieved gold in the Men’s Masters Bodybuilding (Age Group 50–60) category, Azri Asmat Sefri who clinched the bronze medal in the Men’s Bodybuilding 55kg category, and Dr Malvern Abdullah who secured the silver medal in the Men’s Athletic Physique Up To 160cm event, contributing to Malaysia’s overall success in the championship. — DayakDaily
