http://www.siemreappost.com/abba-the-competition/
ABBA – the competition!
We told you about the ABBA (Angkor Body Building Association) and their upcoming championship on Tuesday here. Well, it’s been and gone and we went! We went to the final and had a marvellous afternoon. Next year it’s a thing to put in your calendar. Rocky Lee, the main organiser, and his fellow workers did a grand job, together with the Rosana staff, and made an event that marked itself in my memory.
We arrived early and took our seats. I went out a side door to have a “nose” around” and there, in the side alley, were all the competitors getting ready. Now I’d never been to a body building championship before, but this was exciting. The final featured 20 odd of the most muscular men in Cambodia, many from Siem Reap. In the side alley, they were all there – GETTING PAINTED! Yes, they are all painted a uniform golden brown.
One of the painters was using a standard paint roller, another dabbing on repairs with a painty rag … Quite an amazing sight. The men then went and stood by the air-conditioning outlet to “dry”. Obviously I snapped a few pictures, and the competitors were keen to pose and have their photo taken! Not exactly a scoop for the Siem Reap Post, but it felt like it!
One of the painters was using a standard paint roller, another dabbing on repairs with a painty rag … Quite an amazing sight. The men then went and stood by the air-conditioning outlet to “dry”. Obviously I snapped a few pictures, and the competitors were keen to pose and have their photo taken! Not exactly a scoop for the Siem Reap Post, but it felt like it!
Then back in to the competition itself. The event started with an introductory speech in Khmer and on to the first piece of entertainment. This was appropriately a blessing dance. Once the Jasmine had been cast, there were two short shows from the guest posers – Maria Carlswärd Ahlberg and Sok Supheak. That got us in the mood.
The first category – 55kg to 60kg – saw the first five finalists. They came out and were lined up. They were instructed to pose in classic ways, front double biceps, front leg spread, triceps … you get the picture. The one that amused us most was the “most muscular”. The guys flexed a pose and … well see the picture. I have to say with the paint and all a slight impression of Fantastic Four’s “The Thing” came to mind. If only they had used green paint …
OK. Set poses over with, the judges were asked if they wanted comparisons. Normally they did and two or three competitors had to go through it all again. Then there was a posedown, when each competitor tried to out-pose the others. And that was the end of the round!
A short piece of entertainment in the form of a Bokotar display followed, during which two younger lads were attacked and one kidnapped. The friend went for help to a suitably clad Bokatar master. They went in search of the kidnappers and eventually defeated them and rescued the friend. Justice prevailed. Later entertainments included a model show and a coconut dance. Then it was time for the results. The awards were presented and we were satisfied to see the person we had guessed did in fact win.
This pattern was repeated with the other weight categories – 60-65KG, 65-70kg, over 70 kg and finally a Seniors class for competitors over 40. There were highlights. The really powerful men. The comedians amongst the competitors. One man who grunted every time he pulled a pose. But our outright favourite was a man in the Seniors. He wore number 31. He was probably (well) over 60, close cropped grey hair and (I have to admit) a physique which if I had it at 60, I would be more than satisfied. Pulling poses takes a lot of energy. He pulled the first one. The M.C. held it a bit long, and when he said “Relax” number 31 gave a sigh of relief and mopped his brow from the effort. He stole the crowd’s heart and they started chanting “31, 31, 31″ (actually the chant was “Sam Sap Moi” but that mean 31 in Khmer). During one particularly long pose, 31 gave up near the end, dropped the pose shrugged his shoulders and looked worn out. The crowd went into hysterics. Yes, number 31 was our “man of the day”.
Finally it was almost over. The last round was for the winners of each section. The title on offer was Mister Angkor and a bonus $500 to go with it. The poses were set and everyone held their breath. There was a stunning dance routine from the cast of Rosana and the results were announced. (Roll of drums please) Number 42 was duly crowned and it was time to go.
I said I would be in the Seniors section next time, but seriously it can only be a dream. What I will do (I promise) is make a regular date with Rocky and the guys at the Angkor Muscle Gym and get into a bit better shape. Having a friend with me for a bit has shown me just how out of shape I am. Now please pass just one more doughnut and I’ll think about the next article …
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RESULT OF COMPETITION 2012
21th
July, Siem Reap Angkor – On Saturday, July 21st 2012 at the Angkor
Century Hotel a very highly anticipated bodybuilding competition was underway at
Angkor Century Hotel marking a major milestone for 2ndABBA
competition this year.
Attended
by some 500 Cambodian and expats in Siem Reap, the event was very successfully
concluded with participation of 22 Cambodian bodybuilders from Siem Reap,
Battambang and Phnom Penh, 15 finalist were judged at 5pm. Competitors have been judged on their muscularity and definition along with their
overall fitness condition. Displaying muscular proportion and symmetry will be
equally as important for the competitors in addition to their stage
presentation and to show their unique performance during the competition.
The
Saturday night main event featured very special guest Posers who Mr. JONAS
YOUNES LAROUSSI(3rd place IFBB Bodybuilding Classic 2011) and and
MARIA INGELIS CARLSWARD(2011 Olympia Las Vegas Flex Bikini)
The
event line up also includes showcases of Cambodian Traditional martial arts
“Bokator”, Cambodian and Korean dance performances which have made the crowd
even more excited to experience a great entertainment in addition to the sports
competition.
“The
competition has been well organized. I like the speed of how things went during
the pre-judging round as in the future there may be more categories and more
athletes so it’s good to move it fast like this time. I have seen great courage
of Cambodian bodybuilding athletes to be on that stage and do their poses for
some, the first time in their lives. I know that they are from different
provinces and cities; they have worked be able very hard to showcase their
talents and hard work today. Some of the athletes from each category have
tremendous potentials to compete in the international competitions although
they need to learn more the knowledge and secrets on how to prepare themselves
to win a competition.” Said Mr. JONAS YOUNES LAROUSSI.
“This year’s
ABBA 2nd Bodybuilding Competition did prove to be one of the biggest and most
exciting in our history and the history of bodybuilind industry in Cambodia. With
such success and great result we are looking into our 3rd ABBA bodybuilding
competition here in Siem Reap or maybe in Phnom Penh. We are also thinking of organizing a “Health
& Fitness Fair”. We felt that there
is a great lack of knowledge amongst the public about caring for their health.
The Fair would provide an opportunity, where people can come, and get
information on health services, health products, fitness activities, fitness
facilities in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.” Said Mr. David, President of ABBA.
Competition Result
1-)
Lower than 60KG Category
Winner: NgounSophan
Label Number: 1
Place of residence: SiemREap
Height: 1.70 m
Weight: 59 KG
Pictures:
1st Runner Up
Name: SengThea
Label Number: 8
Place of residence: Phnom Penh
Height: 1.65 m
Weight: 59 Kg
Pictures:
2nd Runner up: Horn Senghor
Label Number: 6
Place of residence: Siem Reap
Height: 1.68m
Weight: 59 KG
Pictures:
4th Place finalist
Name: PuEng Len g
Place of residence: Siem Reap
Height:1.68 m
Weight: 58 KG
Pictures:
5th Place Finalist: Mr. DeapRithyVong
Label Number: 9
Place of residence: Phnom Penh
Height: 1.72 m
Weight: 57 KG
Pictures:
2-) 60
to 70KG Category
Winner: Ruos Sophorn
Label Number: 22
Place of residence:
Height:
Weight:
Pictures:
1st Runner Up : Chap Vanny
Label Number: 13
Place of residence: Phnom Penh
Height: 1.70 m
Weight: 68 KG
Pictures:
2nd Runner Up
Name: Set Sovanny
Label Number: 11
Place of residence: Siem Reap
Height:1.70m
Weight: 66 Kg
Pictures:
4th place finalist
Name: Chan Tha
Label Number: 24
Place of residence: Siem Reap
Height: 1.68 m
Weight: 70 KG
Pictures:
5th Place finalist
Name: On Sorn
Label Number: 19
Place of residence: Siem Reap
Height: 1.68m
Weight: 68KG
Pictures:
3-)
Higher than 70KG Category
Winner: Tek Bunvy
Label Number: 21
Place of residence: Phnom Penh
Height: 1.74 m
Weight: 75 Kg
Pictures:
1st Runner Up
Name: HengBunneang
Label Number: 26
Place of residence:Siem Reap
Height: 1.70 m
Weight: 77 KG
Pictures:
2nd Runner Up : Mam Langdy
Label Number: 25
Place of residence: Siem Reap
Gym name: Angkor Muscle Gym
Height: 1.86m
Weight: 76 KG
Pictures:
4th place finalist
Name: HoeunPhen
Label Number: 27
Place of residence: Siem Reap
Height: 1.76 m
Weight: 75 KG
Pictures:
5th Place finalist
Name: Chao Theang
Label Numbe: 29
Place of residence: Battambang
Height:1.71 m
Weight: 75 KG
Pictures:
Result at Blue Sand Club Competition, 10 Dec 2011
1st Place Light Weight Under 60 kg: Mr. Horn Senghor
1st Place Middle Weight Between 60kg to 70kg: Mr. Chab Vanny
1st Place Heavy Weight Over 70kg: Seng Rany
