SIBU, April 8: Young chef Anthony Tebie Rapheal is determined to pursue bodybuilding, despite having sustained a back injury recently.
According to a press statement distributed by the Sarawak Bodybuilding Association (SBBA), the 28-year-old chef proved his mettle upon being crowned the ‘Champion of Champions’ at the Mr Sibu 2018 bodybuilding championships, staged at a hotel here earlier today.
Earlier, the Sibu-born muscleman won the Athletic Physique Under-170cm and BodybuildingUnder-65kg categories.
“I sustained the injury only a few days before the competition. It was a bit disheartening at the time, but I shrugged off all negative thoughts. I then adjusted my training so that it would not add more stress to my back, in addition to wearing a special belt for better back spinal support.
“This win is a very sweet one — I could not have achieved it without the help, love and support from my family and friends, including my fellow competitors,” Anthony told reporters here.
Anthony’s challengers in the ‘Champion of Champions’ showdown were winners of the 65.1kg–70kg and Above-75kg categories Alfie Khan Abdul Aziz Khan and Mohd Khairul Semion respectively.
Alfie Khan also won the Athletic Physique Above-170cm category, while young muscleman Ting Hong Yu, 22, was triumphant in the Novice Bodybuilding category.
Mr Sibu 2018 was hosted by Sibu Division Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Association (SDBWA) as the platform to select participants from the Central Zone to compete in this year’s Mr Sarawak championships, to be staged in Kuching this Saturday.
According to SDBWA president Chia Soon Cheong, the zone-level competition today gathered bodybuilding enthusiasts from Sibu, Sarikei, Mukah and Daro.
Rancangan Sibu I committee chairman Datuk Andrew Wong Kee officiated at the opening ceremony. — DayakDaily
