HomeTeamNS Fitness Ironman: The annual bodybuilding and physique sport contest is back – and in better shape than ever.
TEXT: MELODY TAN
PHOTOS: HOMETEAMNS
With the last HomeTeamNS Fitness Ironman competition taking place in 2019, this year’s Show of Hunks – both the official theme and an apt descriptor of the event – was a lively celebration of discipline, determination and the hard work required to push the limits of the human body and mind.
Fitness Ironman, which started in 2015, aims to create greater awareness of bodybuilding and physique sport. The 2023 competition was held on Nov 25 alongside the inaugural HomeTeamNS Fitness Expo, at HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir.
The two-day event showcased free and affordably-priced trendy workouts. These included the dance-oriented Zumba Partay to sweat-it-out Spinning, heart-pumping Chairobics and calming Sunset Zen Yoga. Attendees who preferred to exercise their wallets browsed an array of retail and partner booths such as Singlife, Optimum Nutrition, Activ.Co and Mighty Meal Prep.
The star attractions, however, were the 37 participants of the Fitness Ironman competition segment, who competed in six categories: Men’s Denim Model (Open), Men’s Physique (Open – Short) below 170cm, Men’s Physique (Open – Tall) 171cm and above, Men’s Physique (Juniors) 14 to 17 years old, Men’s Physique (HomeTeamNS), and Men’s Physique (Novice) First Timers. Winners took home more than S$4,000 worth of cash and prizes in total from sponsors Singlife, Optimum Nutrition and Fitness Workz.
DETERMINATION AND SACRIFICE: THE RETURN OF A CHAMPION
Just as the competition made a comeback, Danial Azman, 31, saw his own triumphant return as overall champion for 2023 – a title he held last in 2017.
Danial, who was a Fireman SGT(2) during his National Service days, competed in Fitness Ironman since its beginning until 2018, when he stopped to focus on his family. He credits his reclaimed champion status to his wife’s backing: “The number one supporter behind my every success is my wife. She has been there through my highs and lows,” he said.
Danial was named first in two categories: Men’s Physique (Open – Short) below 170cm and Men’s Physique (HomeTeamNS). He came in second in the Men’s Denim Model (Open).
He is jubilant that his hard work has paid off. “In bodybuilding, we sacrifice many things such as time and family,” he said. “For this competition, I trained five to six days a week, in addition to training at the gym where I work as a personal trainer. Sometimes during the weekend I also train at the Fitness Workz gym at HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir, as I live nearby.”
Danial was inspired by his bodybuilding role model, Ryan Terry, who only won his first Men’s Physique Olympia in his ninth Olympia appearance. “I really look up to him as he had been competing every year but did not get the title for ages. Yet, he never gave up. He really inspired me to keep going until I reached my goal.”
He added that he enjoys taking part in Fitness Ironman for the broad exposure it offers to the world of bodybuilding – a sport that has not only shaped his physique, but also his character over the years: “Through bodybuilding, I challenged myself to become the best version of me,” he shared.
BUILDING HIMSELF UP BEYOND LOOKS
Fitness Workz Trainer, Aidid Haidil, is no stranger to looking good in jeans.
Aidid, who placed third in Men’s Physique (Open – Tall) 171cm and above and second in Men’s Physique (HomeTeamNS), was also named champion in Men’s Denim Model (Open). “I’m proud of myself for winning the category, as modelling is also my profession,” he said.
Beyond honing his physical appearance, bodybuilding holds a deeper emotional significance for Mr Aidid, who survived a road accident in 2017 when a lorry collided with his motorcycle. He sustained severe injuries to his hands and body. “For me, bodybuilding is not just about looks,” he reflected. “It has made me stronger and more confident. I started bodybuilding in order to make a change – with 21 metal implants in my body, I wanted to show people that if I could do it, so could they.”
Aidid is following in his late grandfather’s footsteps. He affectionately calls him “my bodybuilding role model”. “He was the only person in my family who did bodybuilding, so I want to make him proud.”
Mr Aidid’s advice to those who have yet to take up the weights : “If you want to do it, just do it. You wouldn’t want to go into the future and regret that you never tried bodybuilding before. Be disciplined, consistent and believe in yourself throughout your bodybuilding journey.”
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