fitness
28
The HEALTH | JUNE, 2018
Edan Syah sets
new record
in Australia’s
running festival
Curvaceous Nana
Alhaleeq working
out at the gym.
Petite to buff
Edan Syah smiling with enthusiasm before the race.
Nana Alhaleeq’s journey into weightlifting
I
F WATCHING the
London Marathon
didn’t motivate
you to get going,
fitness model and
motivator Nana Alhaleeq’s
Instagram sure will.
Exposed to all kinds of
sports at a very young age, buff
female Nana of Javanese-Malay
Chinese-Mamak mix parentage
discovered that she was natu-
rally athletic at the age of five.
“When I was young, I was
very active because my mum
who was an athlete herself
before, always pushed my
siblings and me to participate
in sports. I use to run, jog and
play badminton.”
By the age of 12, she tried out
for 100, 200 metres run.
“At that time, mum thought
that it was probably a fun
thing that I’d like to do. But
she was taken aback when I
participated in trek and field
and won the Selangor Sports
Womenship Junior award at
the age of 13. During this time,
I was at Sekolah Menengah
Kebangsaan Taman Melawati.”
Since then, she trained
hard until the age of 16 when
she decided to focus on her
studies. Even then, she would
frequently roller blade and go
ice-skating with her mum.
Moving on at 18, she met
a friend who was into rock
climbing and soon started
climbing occasionally, went
hiking and travelled for fun.
“At that time, I was not so
much into going to the gym
as I couldn’t afford a member-
ship. However, when I secured
my first job after a degree in
Monash at the age of 25, I
rejoiced as I could pay for gym
membership and could start
training.”
Not before long, she met an
old friend at a primary school
reunion who was a trainer.
One thing led to the other and
she hired him as her personal
trainer.
“I use to be very skinny –
super petite at 42kilograms
and I told myself that I wanted
E
DAN Syah recently set a record at his first 60km ultra
marathon in the recent Great Ocean Road Running Festi-
val (GORRF) in 4:29:00, making him the best performer
by an Asian in this event’s ultra marathon distance.
When Edan made the decision to take part in the 60km
event, all he wanted to do was to challenge himself to finish
the distance and explore his limits after 10 years of running. His
goal was to keep his pace and finish strong on race day.
“The course was very challenging with strong winds and
the six kilometre uphill run on Sunnyside road (the first turn-
off) on Mount Sabine. The next uphill climb was at Skeener’s
Creek, up Hickey’s Cutting and that was most challenging as
the distance by then was at 48km of the run! I must say that the
reward of breath-taking views at the U-turns points made it all
worthwhile and inspiring. Breaking the tape at the finishing
line with the Malaysian flag in my hand, and realising that I am
the champion of the 60km ultra marathon run is certainly the
cherry on the cake!,” Edan exclaimed as he tried to hold back
tears in his eyes.
The fourteenth edition of the Great Ocean Road Running
Festival was certainly bigger and better with record breaking
turnout of more than 7,500 participants over the 2 days – May
19 and 20.
Nana Alhaleeq’s
diet consist of
healthy eating
habits inclusive of
Malaysian spices
and sambal which
does not interfere
with her daily
routine.
to have some curves and look
like Jennifer Lopez.”
“After six months of train-
ing, I could see the changes
which was such an achieve-
ment. This made me enjoy
going to the gym even more.”
As time went by, friends and
personal trainer motivated her
to step forward.
“My friends use to say that
there are no Malay female role
models in Malaysia who are
into weightlifting. Probably
there are, but they don’t put
themselves out in social media,
they said.”
“However, I never felt that I
had the power to inspire or be
a role model to others.”
“Taking their advice though,
I started posting my routine
and progress on Instagram. My
intention was solely to share
my fitness exercises, progress
for me to stick to my routine
and stay motivated to go to the
gym,” she said timidly.
With the followings of her
friends, the word spread and
after a year, Be Fit Malaysia
— a supplement company
approached her to grow
together in the industry.
Today, among the numerous
accolades under her belt, she
is also Astro’s fitness televi-
sion host, advisor for various
fitness magazines, celebrity
icon coach for Jom Kurus 1
Malaysia apart from being
UnderArmour’s ambassa-
dress for South East Asia and
Malaysia. She was also
crowned top 100 hottest
women in Malaysia.
Fitness enthusiast swaying to the moves during the Sh’bam
session at its outlet in Kota Damansara.
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