KUALA LUMPUR: The national bodybuilding squad did well to claim a total of five gold medals in competitions in Bangkok, Thailand over the past week.

Malaysia claimed four gold, four silver and eight bronze medals at the Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships which concluded today (Aug 24).

The gold medals were won by Meilaura Dora Jimmy (women's under-55kg category), Zainal Arif Zainal Ariffin (men's under-75kg category), Ishak Hidayat (men's under-80kg category) and Nazri Pulong (men's masters under-80kg category)

Malaysia also won one gold, three silver and four bronze at the Southeast Asian Bodybuilding & Physique Sports Championships. Aziz Ahmad delivered the gold via the men's physique 170cm height category.

The two competitions ran concurrently in Bangkok. A total of 34 Malaysian bodybuilders competed in them.

National coach Datuk Syarul Azman Mahen Abdullah was pleased with the squad's performances.

"This is the first time we have sent this many athletes to compete together," said Syarul.

"We have many new faces in the squad and I am pleased to see quite a number of them finishing on the podium.

"Aziz, for example, is a newcomer to the sport but has already started to win at the international level."

Syarul added that his charges showed strong discipline and commitment in the lead up to the competition and believes they will continue to improve with more experience.

Syarul, a six-time World and six-time Asian champion, retired from competitive bodybuilding last year and transitioned into coaching.