KOTA KINABALU: Ronald Charlie Rycho has been crowned Mr Sabah 2023 at the recent Sabah Bodybuilding and Physique Championship in Hongkod Koisaan KDCA in Penampang.

Representing DMD Gym Manggatal, he flexed his way to the main title after beating eight other bodybuilders who won their respective weight division finals on the night.

Ronald qualified for the main event having won the bodybuilding category for Light Middleweight (75.1kg-80kg) earlier.

The other weight division winners were Shedy Dorunsi (Light Flyweight – below 55kg), Arafat Kunai (Flyweight – 55.1kg-60kg), Kamal Ariffin Abd Majid (Bantamweight – 60.1kg65kg), Nicholas Li Boon Siew (Lightweight – 65.1kg-70kg), Abdul Rahim Atin (Light Middleweight – 70.1kg-75kg), Douglas Kong (Middleweight – 80.1kg-85kg), Joel Justin (Light Heavyweight – 85.1kg-90kg) and Luke Pheodor Erward James (Heavyweight – above 90kg).

Meanwhile, the Sabah Bodybuilding Association (SBBA)organised championship also featured various finals.

In the Men’s Master (above 45year-old), the winner was Jauneh Leman while the Men’s Junior title went to Mohamad Dzulkifli Rasul.

The Women’s Bodybuilding Open title, as highly expected, was won by Lily Nur Izzaty Ahmad of JGgym Putatan.

It was one of the titles Lily captured on the night having successfully defended her Women’s Physique title earlier.

In the Men’s Physique contests, Bryan Isidore Tubong and Mohammad Asraf Hamzah emerged as champions in the Above 170cm and Below 170cm category respectively.

Bryan was also named the men’s winner for Best Poser while Janeta Linggam took the honour for the women’s division.

The Royal Malaysia Police Force (PDRM) Sabah, on the other hand, also showed their prowess after being named as the overall team champions.

The Mr Sabah championship was a platform to select the best bodybuilders to represent the state in the 52nd Mr Malaysia competition in Kuala Lumpur from Oct 12-15.

Assistant Minister of Finance cum Likas Assemblyman Datuk Tan Lee Fatt was the guest of honour in the Mr Sabah championship, which attracted around 120 participants.

President of SBBA, Joannes Staneslous, and organising chairman Clarence Runggi were among those present.