I was born a genetically non-gifted ectomorph. In my childhood and early adolescent years, many people thought that i would remain a stick insect all my life. However, i proved them all wrong. That skinny boy has turned into a bodybuilder, much to the astonishment of those who bullied and looked down on me in the past. I've learnt a lot in my transformation and that is what i would like to share.
All posts here are true accounts and daily blabberings of the happenings in my life. Click the above to view my profile, entries, tagboard and links!
The Author
Farhan.
A simple, average guy with a vision, a set of aspirations. Twenty two. An avid, once competitive bodybuilder with his own dreams. I've been training since i was sixteen. An almost-complete extrovert.
It has been a few days since the new year began and i'm so late in blogging about it. After the long reign of silence, i'm back here, typing down my thoughts.
While others were busy partying, welcoming the new year, 2011 began with fatigue and aching limbs for me - thanks to the deployment. Stood for 9 hours straight with barely 40 minutes break in total. Elephant stands were brought out due to the overwhelming crowd too. Sometimes i wonder, people are actually willing to put up to such a huge crowd just to watch fireworks? No thanks for me.
I welcome this new year with some positivity and optimism. I ain't gonna come up with new year resolutions 'cos i believe that we should always stay positive and have a vision throughout the year, not just plan on a list of things to achieve every time a new year approaches. What makes it worse - most people just forget about them a week later! I better myself when i have to, not having to wait for the new year. I commit to achieve something when i feel that it's logical and achievable.
With that said, i spent my New Year's Day watching "Saw VII" with Team C.E.A. It was a great movie - full of gore and bloody scenes. No doubt some of the scenes did look "sick" to me. Here's my favourite scene of the movie:
Yeah, Betsy Russell is hell of a hotstuff. Look at her arms!!! This was said to be the final release of the series "Saw". Not for the faint-hearted though!
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Friday, October 29, 2010 / 7:18 PM
There are a thousand and one things up here in my mind which i have to spill; i've been rather handicapped in expressing myself these days. I don't know how to put them all in words.
So here's my entry for the finals, day two. After a long, tiring day one, i overslept and came late for the finals, hence missing out a lot on the junior categories. Singapore sent no juniors despite having the competition held locally. They have probably been called up for NS or held up with some other matters.
The Juniors don't look Junior at all. Check out their standards!
India won hands down in Junior Open Category
The first line-up for the senior level was the 65kg category, with five finalists. It was really enlightening to witness the first senior gold medal crowned to Singapore's Jonas Asis Tham and having the crowd rise as Majulah Singapura was being played, for the first and only time that day.
Jonas displayed a really artistic, aesthetically pleasing posing routine
The posedown
*Majulah Singapura*
Next up was the 70kg category. Singapore sent her National Lightweight Champion who is also a friend of mine, Marcus Fam. Marcus has improved considerably well since his last two competitions this year. That guy came in really thick and well-conditioned.
A bronze for Singapore!
Here are the other snapshots i took throughout the day
The Women's World & Asian categories - Champion Jaranya Dungkam from Thailand. The moment Jaranya stepped onstage, it seemed as though everyone could only fight for the silver medal.
A physique that lashes the ego of most men. The best female bodybuilder i've ever met!
Roongtawan! Number one!
The finals were slightly better than the pre-judging. There was certainly more excitement when new champions were made. However, i still feel that the publicity of the event could have been better. I would only rate this event 6/10. Nonetheless, it was great meeting athletes from all over the world. Let me end this post with my favourite fitness routine for the entire show.
I managed to capture this with my lousy digicam. Notice the feminine, elegant moves along with the core strength display like the one-hand push-up, superb conditioning and hyperflexibility! Presenting Apiporn Chomsomboon from Thailand. My dream woman :)
The International Bodybuilding and Fitness stage came right back to Singapore after four years. Yes, the last time i remembered watching an international event was in 2006. From the good old Kallang Theatre, the event found its new venue at the University Cultural Centre, NUS. It has been over a week since the event took place.
The pre-judging took place on Saturday, 2nd October. Even though response from the local community was not as overwhelming as i expected, the event went on with numerous support from our counterparts. Some 20 countries sent their finest physique athletes.
The Parade of Nations
Probably the best seat i have ever gotten - VIP, 3rd row from the front!
The pre-judging saw the bulk of the participants before the categories were being narrowed down to the top 6 contestants for the finals.
My ex-colleague Earric Lee (extreme left) representing Singapore in the Men's Athletic Physique >170cm category.
Earric was in the best shape of his life
One of the hot favourites - Roongtawan Jindasing ("Sing") from Thailand
Sexy, isn't she?
Malaysia's Lilian Tan
Women's Bodybuilding (Up to 50kg category)
The ladies had really defined, ripped backs!
The Women's Model Physique Category (Above 160cm). The results of this category became a pretty controversial issue. More on that later
Lisaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!
Now people, this is Penpraghai Tiangngok ("Pen") from Thailand, making her debut on the Asian/International stage. This debutant lady was certainly the most eye-catching, impressive and had arguably the best presentation and feminity in this category. What pissed me (and many others) off was that she did NOT make it to the finals. As much as i suck being an armchair judge for model physique, results were pretty clear cut. You can try judging it too - it's simple. Just look the entire line-up. This is physique contest. I disagree if they say that she's too muscular for model physique. Afterall, this is a physique contest, isn't it?
Pen was awesome indeed, looking good from every angle. Why couldn't they at least give her some credits and put her in the finals?
Check out her rear view. Dry, ripped back, tight hamstrings and i fell in love with those glutes!!
So why wasn't Pen in the finals? They disqualified her for one ridiculous reason - they accused her for being a transvestite, in other words, a man. How could they pass such an insensitive accusation against a woman who has worked her ass off preparing for the contest without proper justification via genetic testing? Now.. can you see the lack of transparency in the sport?
The Women's Fitness Physique is another enjoyable item to watch. Those acrobatic movements with their own individual concepts never fail to warm the crowd in long, draggy shows like this!
While i was waiting for my friends at the end of the show, i bumped into the World Pro Champion - Mr. Wong Hong from Malaysia! What an honour!
Former Mr. Universe - Mr. Sazali Samad from Malaysia!
Personally i felt that the management for the pre-judging event was not that fantastic afterall. A few discrepancies could be seen and certain procedures could be improved. Nonetheless, i have to give credits to the organising committee for selecting a good venue. The seats in UCC were rather comfortable and lighting was good. Wait out for my entry for the Finals!
In a nutshell...
Wednesday, September 22, 2010 / 1:33 AM
Eid went well. Alhamdulillah, way better than last year just that it falls on a busy period for many this time round. Paid visits to the seniors as usual, along with the sinful indulgences throughout! Besides that, NS has certainly turned me into a carefree person. While others are ranting about how sucky it is to book in every sunday, here i am having nothing in my head the moment my shift ends. Life goes on normally, as a civilian after working hours. Working only 20 days a month now, how much better can it get?
I've been rather occupied though. Trying hard to stick to my workout regime but things can never be like before. I no longer have the same muscle density. I no longer have the same drive to train. I no longer have the same appetite. Nonetheless, i'm embracing life - every moment of it!
