Exciting and challenging times were had by the 36 teams of the inaugural One Shot EduCity Fitness Challenge which was held over two days in Iskandar Puteri recently. Besides Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei also sent their representatives to compete for the top titles.
Victorious were Darren Chai and Stephanie Liew, a duo that goes by the name of ‘Slow Burn’, from Hybrid Movement Gym, Brunei, that emerged as the champion in the Rx’d category. Meanwhile, Siow Jian Yang and Megan Foo from FITREK Gym, Malaysia ‘meowed’ all the way to the top spot in the Scaled category. (JianYang and Megan registered their partnership as team ‘Miow’).
The closing ceremony was officiated by Sugu Maran Kailasan, Chief Operating Officer of EduCity Iskandar Malaysia Sdn Bhd, with Tuan Haji ‘On Jabbar@Jaafar, Chief Executive Officer of SUKMA Johor 2020 as the event guest of honour.
“We have hosted various physical endurance competitions such as Triathlons and Multi Sport Competitions but we’re always on the lookout for unique events such as this to attract local participants and neighbouring athletes. As CrossFit-like competitions are still making their way to the hearts of extreme sports lovers here, we acted quickly, and the results speak for themselves,” said Sugu Maran Kailasan.
He added that the fitness challenge is also a suitable platform to discover potential athletes to be trained for the 15th SUKMA Games in 2020, which will be hosted by Johor.
The fitness challenge was presented by EduCity as the title sponsor and supported by Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB), Reebok, Scitec Nutrition, Aviron and Conceptz 2.
Throughout the two-day event from 21 to 22 July, participants displayed great perseverance and superb fitness level in completing their tasks in the Rx’d and Scaled categories. The Rx’d category lists tasks such as deadlifts with 245lbs weight, clean and jerk with overhead weight and bar muscle up workout that needed to be completed within a 20-minute timeframe.
Participants in the Scaled category get to go through the same drill but with less intense technical movements and lowered weights, which is suitable for beginners and intermediate participants.
The Crossfit-like contest is rapidly gaining popularity in the country with social media influencer such as Andrew Kwan sharing his daily hardcore routines. The training routines typically demonstrate varied functional movements executed at high intensity.
The inaugural fitness challenge is part of the IP Active initiative that is spearheaded by IIB in its aim to position Iskandar Puteri as a sport, leisure and business destination. IIB’s placemaking efforts include the upcoming EduCity Swim Meet, EduCity Duathlon, EduCity Dusk to Dawn, ISKARNIVAL and others.
For more information on upcoming events at EduCity Sports Complex, kindly visit its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/educitysport/.
