The Heydays of Bodybuilding in Malaya / Malaysia from 1906 to 1970 (Series 1)

Not much written datas were recorded of bodybuilding during its heydays eventhough much pictorals records were kept by individuals or sports associations.

In those years, known musclemen were the likes of Clancy Ang (Malacca), the Phua brothers; Lak Tee and Sunny (Johore), Othman Ali (Kedah), Paul Sta Maria (Negeri Sembilan) and the present Malaysian Bodybuilding Federation (MBBF) President, Datuk Wira Gan Boon Leong (Malacca).

From its infancy in 1906 until the present, the sports grew in leaps and bounds yet much of the recorded details were lost in memories except for the few documented records.

Bodybuilding contests were started as early 1946 but a more recent 1955 Mr. Malaya was recorded as the official start off date. The Mr. Malaya in 1955 was organised on 25th June and Robert Teo was the 1st winner of it. It went on to be organised until 1962 and in 1963 it's name was changed to Mr. Malaysia with the unification of Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore. Sunny Phua was the winner of the 1st Mr. Malaysia. The present Mr. Malaysia is the continuation from 1963.  

With the emergence of Nilai Bangsa Physical Culture Association (NBPCA), Kuala Lumpur in 11th August 1959, contest such as Mr. Klang and Mr. Port Swttentam was organised in the same year. In 1960, NBPCA also came to assisted in organising other contests such as like the Mr. Selangor, Mr. Malaya and for the other states too. The much fame, Mr. Nilai Bangsa "Pride of the Nation" was organised and emerged as the forerunner for the selection of Malayans to represent the country to international meets as like the Mr. Asia 1960.

The founder of Nilai Bangsa Physical Culture Association (NBPCA) was Victor Kok Kee. Who in 1971 published "Suara Nilai Bangsa: NBPCA's 10th Anniversary Issue (1959-1969) - Bodybuilding in Malaya/Malaysia - 1953 to 1969". He was a man of vision and mission for Physical Fitness. The book also contain a "Foreword" from the then Prime Minister of Malaysia, Y.A.B. Tun Haji Abdul Razak bin Dato' Hussein.

During NBPCA, Mr. Inter-School contests was organised from 1962 to 1965 catering for students and Mr. Nilai Bangsa "Pride of the Nation" 1960 to 1963, title holder to represent Malaya to international meets ie Mr. Asia and / or NABBA Mr. Universe.

During this time too, the women was also contesting in their very own contest. The 1st to organised was by Selangor Amateur Bodybuilding Association (SABBA) in 1955, Miss Selangor (Open) to compliment the guys. The winner was Violet Ho (Singapore), 2nd Salmah Ahmad (Johore) and May Yap (Selangor). All the women contestants paid their own way to participate in their 1st ever contest in Kuala Lumpur.

The other 1st that the sports achieved were...Ariffin Hassan (Malayan-Selangor) Mr. Physique 1955 (tri-nation meet: Indonesia, Singapore and Malaya), Herman Goh (founder member of SABBA) Mr. Selangor 1953, Clancy Ang (Malacca) 1st - Mr. Nilai Bangsa "Pride of the Nation", 1st Malayan to win Mr. Asia 1960 (after the inauguration in 1959) and 1st Malayan to win Class III "NABBA Mr. Universe 1962".