Kota Kinabalu, Sabah — Malaysia’s top strength athlete Choo Kok Wei from Perak demonstrated exceptional grit and determination to emerge as the champion of the Strongman Tuaran Challenge 2025, held in conjunction with the West Coast Division’s National Sports Day celebrations on Saturday.
Despite suffering a bicep injury before the competition began, Kok Wei refused to withdraw. He dominated the opening events — the Farmer’s Walk and Yoke Walk — earning seven points in each discipline. However, as the event progressed, his injury began to affect his performance.
Kok Wei secured six points in the Hercules Hold and four points in the Atlas Stone, placing him in a tense tie with Charles Khoo of Keningau, both finishing with 24 total points after four events.
After an intense deliberation, Kok Wei was declared the overall winner via the Technical Countback rule — a tiebreaker that awards victory to the athlete with the most routine wins. Event coordinator Roger Frederick explained that this was only the second time the rule had been used in a local Strongman event.
“Kok Wei got injured before the game started — he suffered a fiber tear on his bicep, which restricted his ability to compete in the last two routines, his favourite events,” Roger said. “But he showed great heart and composure to secure enough points for victory.”
The runner-up, Charles Khoo, gave a strong showing, particularly in the Hercules Hold, while Alder Ferrel of Kudat finished third after excelling in the Atlas Stone event (100kg, 120kg, 130kg lifts).
Roger also recalled that the same rule was used back in 2013 during the Sabah Strongestman Challenge in Tanjung Aru, where Singapore’s Ahmad Taufik and Sabah’s Honesty Angandi tied for first place — with Honesty declared champion under the same rule.
In total, seven athletes from across Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia competed in the Strongman Tuaran Challenge 2025, showcasing exceptional strength and endurance in one of the toughest sports in the nation.
Highlights:
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Champion: Choo Kok Wei (Perak)
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Runner-up: Charles Khoo (Keningau)
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Third Place: Alder Ferrel (Kudat)
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Venue: Padang Institut, Tuaran
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Event: Strongman Tuaran Challenge 2025
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In Conjunction With: Hari Sukan Negara (West Coast Division)
