03 November 2013| last updated at 11:58PM
SATISFACTION: Sabahan has great potential, says ex-national coach
KOTA KINABALU: WHENEVER she steps into a room, Meilaura Dora Jimmy elicits a second glance. She is charming, has a sweet smile and possesses a muscle-bound physique.Laura, as she prefers to be called, is one of the top-ranked bodybuilders in Asia.
Two months ago, she finished third in the 47th Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sport Championships in Vietnam. It was her first international competition, and, with three years' experience in the sport, Laura, 33, did extremely well.
Laura, a former top-ranked archer in the state, competed in athletics since her school days.
Three years ago, she was discovered by former national bodybuilding coach Abdul Aziz Ahmad and from then on, her path was set.
"The training regime and dieting have not been easy, but they give me satisfaction and I have no regrets.
"Unlike most women, who wear dresses to functions, I put on large T-shirts to conceal my body.
"There was also a time when I was showed the men's toilet by someone who mistook me for a man."
But those were trivial issues as far as Laura is concerned.
"Bodybuilding has helped me understand the human body and its ability to go beyond known capabilities.
"It was a delight for me to see myself transform from a petite girl into someone with well-built muscles within three years of intensive training."
Laura trains under Abdul Aziz three times weekly, perfecting her techniques, muscle tone and posture.
"She could have been an archer, but their loss is our gain."
"When she first came under me three years ago, I saw the potential in her physique and attitude."
Laura is a 'mesomorph', which means she has a muscular body structure, Aziz said, adding that Laura had even forked out her own money to compete in meets.
"She has qualified for the world championships in Hungary, but will skip it this year because of financial constraints.
"Laura will be a bodybuilder to watch in the years to come and I see a lot of potential in her."
Meilaura Dora Jimmy says though bodybuilding requires harsh training and strict diets, the sport gives her satisfaction.
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