Syarul’s protege Abdul Aziz shows he can be coach’s worthy successor

Brawns of gold: Abdul Aziz Ahmad flexing it en route to winning the top prize in the athletic physique 167cm category at the World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships in Batam,

PETALING JAYA: It did not take long for former top bodybuilder Datuk Mohd Syarul Azman Mahen Abdullah to find a successor to his throne.

Soldier Abdul Aziz Ahmad has successfully taken up the gauntlet to keep the flag flying high for Malaysia in the men’s athletic physique 167cm category after claiming gold in the World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships in Batam, Indonesia, over the weekend.

It is the same category where Syarul managed to snatch the world title six times – 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023 – before he called an end to his glittering career.

And the 27-year-old Abdul Aziz, who is a staff sergeant with the Armed Forces, has stepped up to make a big impression in just his first World Champion­ships campaign.

Abdul Aziz, who is from Kedah, was one of two gold medallists for Malaysia in the world meet.

Nur Sufhian Hamisan also took gold in the men’s Masters 40-49 age group category as the Malaysian bodybuilding team returned with seven silver and three bronze medals.

Posing with coach Datuk Mohd Syarul Azman Mahen Abdullah.

And no one is prouder than Syarul, fondly known as Mike, who now trains the national bodybuilding team along with another former international Buda Anchah.

Abdul Aziz first made his presence felt on the international stage when he won the men’s physique fitness up to 170cm height category in the South-East Asia (SEA) Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, in August.

“That was the first international competition he went for. I identified him earlier and invited him to train with the national team. I also shared tips and advised him on the way to make your presence felt on the world stage,” said Syarul, who became national coach in March last year.

“It has been almost one year of solid work done to bring him to this stage.

“Abdul Aziz showed he has all the makings of a champion and I hope he can retain the title next year. The good thing is he has the discipline and is willing to make sacrifices.

“I have been searching for a successor to my throne after I retired almost two years ago, so I am happy I helped to groom somebody.

‘‘Thanks to Malaysia Body Building Federation for believing in us also,” he added.