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Datuk Wira Gan Boon Leong

by Tony Blinn, CD

ORGANIZER OF THE YEAR

Datuk in front of one of the many banners that blanketed the city of Malacca. Huge signs at key locations and immense banners strung across key roads throughout Malacca promoted the Championships

Prior to my departure to Malacca for the 54th Men's World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships, President Weider had told me so much about Datuk Wira Gan Boon Leong, Chairman of the Malaysian Bodybuilding Federation and the Malaysian Organizing Committee, that I decided to do some further research in Malacca on this most remarkable man.

I had never been officially introduced to Datuk, and, upon my arrival in Malacca, saw him only briefly on two occasions. Both times, he appeared extremely busy supervising the organizational details of bodybuilding's premiere event.

When Paul Chua, IFBB Vice President for Asia, finally arranged a formal meeting, Datuk's handshake told me that here was one strong man. I would later discover that throughout his entire life, Datuk's incredible feats of strength were a commonplace occurrence and some cause for celebration throughout Malaysia.

In the days that followed, I was to discover much more about Datuk Wira Gan Boon Leong. Indeed, I can say now that "Datuk", as he is called by his friends, is one of the most kind, sincere, genuine, and humble persons it has ever been my good fortune to meet.

Datuk in one of his many offices - his gym. I was impressed with the hundreds of trophies, awards, medals, plagues, and other honors that had been bestowed upon Datuk over the past 44 years ... and yet such a humble man

Here then is his story ...

Datuk Wira Gan Boon Leong, Senior State Executive Councillor, politician, community leader, philanthropist, and, in the field of sports, "Champion of Champions".

No one who is acquainted with the history of the Bodybuilding and Weightlifting world in Malaysia can deny that Datuk Wira Gan Boon Leong is a "living legend" of the sport in this part of the world. Datuk has tirelessly promoted Championships on the National and International scene for more than 50 years.

Like so many great Champions and outstanding public figures, Datuk's beginnings were modest and humble. He was born on August 25, 1937, in Tangkak Johor, and had his earlier education in Malacca. Later in life, he married Datin Wira Chong Kin Yock and was blessed with seven children.

It all began more than a half century ago when a lovable grandmother brought her grandson to see the circus, in the days when television was unheard of. Like many others, the young boy was so awestruck by the sheer brawn and strength exhibited by the circus "strongman", so much so that he continued for years to harbor dreams of performing great feats of strength and of becoming a Champion himself some day.

With ingenuity and determination, the young teenager started to make cement dumbbells and weights of different sizes, which he soon shared with his close friends. These rudimentary weights became the tools used for training and strengthening their bodies. Datuk's love for his grandmother was evident when he told me a story of how she had believed in him so much that she borrowed RM1,000 (in those days a lot of money) so that he might purchase a better set of weights.

Datuk strikes a pose in front of the "Wall of Honor", listing his numerous titles and displaying photographs of the young bodybuilding Champion

Way back in 1949, Datuk, a young man then, formed the Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Association in Melaka and set up at No. 43, Jalan Kubu, Melaka, where training sessions were conducted under a "Jambu" tree. This became the first Association for the sport of Bodybuilding and Weightlifting in Asia that had its own building.

In 1964, Datuk's grandmother bequeathed to him a piece of land comprising approximately 3,000 square feet and, for the love of the sport, he later donated this land (estimated today to be worth around RM200,000) to the Association. With this solid foundation, the development of bodybuilding and weightlifting progressed rapidly within the State and today, the Association is housed in a four-story building, popularly sited in the Historical City of Malacca, with an enrolment of more than 200 members and with branches in Alor Gajah, Bemban, and Tangkak.

Datuk's generosity, kindness, and love of the sport is evident in the following exchange. I asked him how much he charged for membership in his gym. He responded, "One dollar for students, two dollars for working people". "But how do you make any money?", I quickly asked. He immediately answered, with pride and a smile, "I don't. I pay everything myself".

Two bodybuilding giants of Asia - Datuk Wira Gan Boon Leong and Paul Chua - standing in front of one of the many signs erected throughout the city of Malacca

The year 1956 is significant in that it was the first time that a 19-year old Datuk represented Malaysia in the Mr. Physique Asia Championships and won the title. Datuk told me that, "In those days, there weren't many categories ... just one. So to win, you had to beat everybody!"

Since that first contest, Datuk Wira Gan Boon Leong's name has become synonymous with the sport, now going on 44 years. As an energetic personality, he has steered the sport of bodybuilding and weightlifting through some of its most difficult and progressive years and during those years, he has proved to be an outstanding Champion of Champions by winning numerous titles.

Datuk has also found the time and energy in past years to train and advise some 5,000 bodybuilders and weightlifters, many of whom have won National and International titles.

Datuk is also one of the most prominent and dynamic Chinese leaders in the State, working long and hard to uphold the rights of the Chinese community in particular and of other races in general. He has also been active and played a key role in areas of social concern and welfare, becoming Chairman of 28 Associations and Organizations as well as being an Advisor and Patron to more than 170 voluntary organizations at the State and National levels.

It is because of his special passion for sport, and his initiative and organizational skills, that the Malacca Wrestling Association and Malacca Boxing Association were founded. Being a philanthropist, he was instrumental in establishing a new RM500,000 building housing the Malacca Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Association.

My favorite photo of Datuk, sitting quietly by the pool in the back of the Century Mahkota Hotel Melaka - the Official Hotel for these Championships

Datuk either held, or holds, office in many sports organizations. President of the Malacca Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Association, Chairman of the Malaysian Bodybuilding Federation, Vice President of the Asian Bodybuilding Federation, President of the Malaysian Weightlifting Federation, Vice President of the Chinese Martial Arts Federation of Malaysia, President of the Malacca Amateur Wrestling Association, Malacca Karate-Do Association, Malacca Arm Wrestling Association, Malacca Taekwon-Do Association.

Although sport is his forte, Datuk has also found time to serve the people, especially in areas of social concern, as a full-time politician for the State of Malacca.

His early political career had been one of constant struggle and, at two State elections in 1974 and again in 1978, he narrowly lost to his opponent. But the will to overcome all odds has always been the gut spirit of Datuk Wira Gan Boon Leong and, in 1982, he was elected to the State Assembly for Bandar Hilir with a huge majority win over his opponent. He was re-elected in 1986, in 1990, and in 1995 in the State seat of Duyong to serve in the State Assembly. He was appointed a Senior Member of the Malacca State Executive Councillor in charge of Human Resources and Health and has also served as the Chairman MCA Malacca State Liaison Committee. Datuk has spent most of his time serving the needs of the people with dignity and responsibility.

Two lifelong friends in sport - Datuk and Paul, sharing a congratulatory moment before the Prejudging and Finals

Datuk, as Chairman of the Malaysian Bodybuilding Federation, has brought growth to the sport throughout Malaysia by organizing the Asian Bodybuilding Championships (3 times - 1987, 1993, 1994), the Mens World Championships (in Kuala Lumpur - 1990), the Asean Bodybuilding Championships (1992), the Asean Pro Am Classic (1993), and the first Commonwealth Bodybuilding Championships (1998). Datuk and Paul Chua, IFBB Vice President for Asia, created the Commonwealth Bodybuilding Federation.

Datuk's list of titles is lengthy, both as a politician (PPM, PJK, AMN, JP, DMSM, DCSM, JSM) and as a sports leader ...

Datuk at the Welcome Dinner with IFBB President Ben Weider, C.M., C.Q., Ph.D., and IFBB Vice President for Asia Paul Chua

Datuk with IFBB Executive Directory Pamela Kagan and IFBB President Ben Weider, C.M., C.Q., Ph.D.

Add one more accomplishment to Datuk's long list ... the organization, promotion, and hosting of the 54th IFBB World Men's Amateur Bodybuilding Championships and International Congress. This is no small feat of accomplishment, for the organization of this event, the largest amateur bodybuilding event in the world, is without equal.

IFBB President Ben Weider, at a press conference, advised, "I sent my top troubleshooter to Malacca several days in advance and he reported that he couldn't find anything wrong".

Indeed, I arrived in Malacca on Sunday, November 11, and left on Tuesday, November 21. During this time, I worked very closely with the Organizing Committee. With people like Francis Yong, Lt. Cdr. (RTD) Kamaruzaman Kadir, Patrick Chin, Kishminder Singh, Abdul Aziz Ahmad, Datuk Soon Tian Szu, Zainudin Jaffar, Abdullah Awang, Hamzah Hassan, V. Vellasamy, Mohamed Majid, Chua Tock Seng, Norsiah Mohamad, Christina Kam, and many others - all under the capable leadership of Datuk Wira Gan Boon Leong and Paul Chua. I have been attending these Championships since 1986 (Tokyo) and have never met a more professional group of people.

A nice photo of Datuk outside the back of the Century Mahkota Hotel Melaka

I was most impressed with their willingness to work long hours and to work hard (oftentimes well into the evening and early morning) in order to ensure that every detail was handled properly. Their friendliness, sincerity, sensitivity, dedication, commitment, and organizational skills were without equal. And all this under the guiding hand of Datuk.

It has been said, "the vast services and contributions of Datuk Wira Gan Boon Leong will always be a beacon of light for the society he served in Malacca".

In a few short days, I had the distinct pleasure to befriend Datuk and to discover, if but just a little bit, who this giant of a man really is. I left Malacca all the better for the genuine kindness, sincere generosity, and unparalleled love of the sport that he so humbly displayed.

Congratulations to Datuk Wira Gan Boon Leong, Organizer of the Year!

Datuk Wira Gan Boon Leong and his wife, Datim Wira Chong Kin Yock