KUALA LUMPUR — Datuk Mohd Syarul Azman Mahen Abdullah, casually known as Mike Mahen, has dropped a hint that he will be retiring from the bodybuilding scene.
Speaking to Scoop, Syarul, celebrated by Malaysians for his remarkable physique and achievements, hinted at his potential transition to a national coach under the Bodybuilding Federation of Malaysia (PBBM).
“I’m yet to decide on my retirement plans, but I believe that my age is catching up, and I need to decide on my future after the world championship in South Korea.
“I will continue to bring more glory to Malaysia if my body allows me to do so, but I will be happy if I’m given the chance to lead and train the national bodybuilding athletes ahead of the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand.
“I have the knowledge and experience in this sport, and it will be great if the federation gives me an opportunity so that I can groom more athletes for the betterment of the sport in Malaysia,” said Syarul.
The 50-year-old added that it is important for experienced athletes like himself to serve the nation after retirement.
“It’s important for experienced athletes like myself to continue serving the nation, as there are many athletes out there who require help with their fitness and performance.
“I’m always a firm believer in what I can contribute to the nation rather than what the nation can give me in return.
“Not only in the field of bodybuilding, but I’m also open to any sports associations that need my service in strengthening their athletes’ muscles and improving their fitness.
“I’m always open to sharing my experience with Malaysian athletes to help them be confident with their physique when they represent Malaysia in any championships,” he added.
Syarul also shared that he has observed a number of talents in his field who are able to carry on his legacy by achieving glory for Malaysia on an international platform.
“The pool of talents for Malaysian bodybuilding is really vast, and many of them have been showing great potential over the years.
“Athletes like Ahmad Faiz Ariffin have been doing really well for Malaysia. He won the gold medal in the 55th Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships in Kathmandu.
“I have known him for so many years, and he has all the ability to be my successor.
“Apart from him, we also have talents like Malvern Abdullah from Sarawak and Amin Razwan from Johor. They all have the abilities to bring our nation to the top level in the sport in the years to come,” he added.
Syarul was recently conferred the title of Best Athlete at the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM)-100PLUS Awards 2022 ceremony last week.
Mahen clinched the World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships for the fifth time in Phuket, Thailand last December in the 167cm and above athletic physique category and emulated the feat of Sazali Samad, the last bodybuilder to have won the SAM award in 2013.
In the 2021 Hanoi SEA Games, Malaysia brought home one gold through Syarul in the men’s athletic physique category, along with three silvers and four bronzes, ranking third overall out of the five competing countries.
Syarul will be competing in the 14th World Bodybuilding And Physique Sports Federation (WBPF) world championship which is scheduled to take place on November 6-12 in Gangwon, South Korea. — September 9, 2023