STRENGTH AND MOVEMENT
Several disciplines are best categorized as requiring and enhancing strength and movement. For example, gymnastics demands skill and endurance as well as grace and flexibility. It has its roots in ancient Greek practices and was revived as a competitive sport in the late 19th century. Basic gymnastic activities were first introduced to Malayan schools in the early 20th century, but it was only in the late 1980s, with the support and guidance of the Malaysian Gymnastics Federation (MGF), that Malaysian gymnasts began to make an impact on the international scene.
Besides extreme strength, weightlifting requires technique, speed and dexterity. Weightlifting was introduced to Malaya in the 1920s, and contributed to national pride with a spectacular outing at the 1950 British Empire Games in which Malayan weightlifters won two gold medals, one silver medal and one bronze medal. The Malayan Amateur Weightlifting and Bodybuilding Federation was formed in 1955, and local lifters have carried on the tradition of success in international events.
At the core of bodybuilding is weight training, along with a caloric diet and rest in order to achieve an aesthetically pleasing physique. Its history in the country goes back to the early 1900s. The sport was initially under the stewardship of the Malayan Amateur Weightlifting and Bodybuilding Federation before its own governing body was formed in 1969. The inaugural Mr Malaya contest was in 1946. Malaysian bodybuilders have shone in international competitions, winning the Mr Asia and Mr Universe titles 15 and five times respectively.
Although dancing has long been a social and recreational activity in Malaysia, dance as a sporting event is a relatively recent development locally. The country’s governing body, Malaysian DanceSport Berhad, formed in 1993, has been active, organizing a number of national-level events and preparing Malaysian dancers for international competitions.
Malaysia’s tropical climate—and the fact that only one ice rink is operational in the country—has not prevented the growth of ice skating and ice hockey. The 2007 edition of the annual Skate Malaysia, held at Sunway Pyramid Ice Rink, attracted more than 300 ice skaters from six countries. The Sunway rink also manages the Ice Skating Academy, which offers skating classes and prepares participants for competitions both locally and internationally. Ice hockey has also witnessed impressive growth since the rink was opened in 1999. An annual league has been in place since 2000 and the rink has hosted the World Ice Hockey Fives on four occasions.
