Left to right: Prof. Dr. Yoshio Kuroda, Member IOC Medical Commission and Chairman OCA Medical Committee, Paul Chua DSM, IFBB Vice President Asia, Dr. Lim Heng Hong, ABBF Medical Director

To truly appreciate the broad scope and sheer magnitude of the 14th Asian Games, held in Busan, Korea, September 29 - October 14, 2002, one need only pay a brief visit to its historical past.

The 1st Asian Games were held in New Delhi, India, in 1951, with 11 countries, 6 sports, and 500 athletes and officials. The 14th version of these IOC recognized Games included 44 countries, 38 sports, and 9,919 athletes and officials. In only half a century, the Asian Games have blossomed from a small contest to an event of global scale.

Left to right: Chang Bo Young, Secretary-General KBBF, Bulat Mergaliyev, President ABBF, Paul Chua DSM, IFBB Vice President Asia, Kim Duk-Huon, President KBBF

Much of the credit for the tremendous success of the Games goes to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the Asian Games' organizing body. As the umbrella group for sports on the world's largest continent, its goal is to supervise and promote sports throughout Asia, from the Middle Eastern nations of the Persian Gulf to Japan on the Pacific Ocean.

-60kg, left to right:Ibrahim Sihat (Singapore - 2nd), Cho Wang Bung (Korea - 1st), Pham Van Mach (Vietnam - 3rd)

Worldwide attention was brought to the 14th Asiad in Busan as a result of the participation of North Korean athletes, the first time that North Korea competed in an international sporting event on South Korean soil.

-65kg, left to right:Lee Lap Chi (HongKong-China - 2nd), Abdul Halim Haron (Singapore - 1st), Amir Zainal (Singapore - 3rd)

The newspaper headline "Asia's Bodybuilders Finally Recognized" speaks volumes for the sport and the IFBB. Bodybuilding's recognition by the OCA, in both the Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games, has led over 20 Asian National Olympic Committees to recognize the sport. Indeed, the OCA has again adopted bodybuilding as a medal sport at the next Asian Games scheduled for 2006 in Doha, Qatar.

-70kg, left to right:Toshihiko Hirota (Japan - 2nd), Han Dong Ki (Korea - 1st), Godo Koh (Japan - 3rd)

It is certain that none of this would have come to pass had it not been for the tireless efforts of many dedicated and committed IFBB officials, most notably Paul Chua (Singapore), DSM, IFBB Vice President for Asia. The "Father of Bodybuilding in Asia" has devoted his life to the development of bodybuilding and fitness throughout all of Asia.

-75kg, left to right:Yoshihiro Yano (Japan - 2nd), Simon Chua Ling Fung (Singapore - 1st), Min Zaw Oo (Myanmar - 3rd)

Paul Chua's dedication and commitment is evident on yet another front - one of such significance that it alone might be said to have been the single-most important factor in the OCA's decision to include bodybuilding in its Games.

-80kg, left to right:Liaw Teck Leong (Malaysia - 2nd), Ly Duc (Vietnam - 1st), Lee Jin Ho (Korea - 3rd)

Paul Chua has spearheaded an anti-doping program throughout Asia that is without parallel in its uncompromising implementation. The program is simple in design and uses an Anti-Doping Passport system. In order to participate, a National Federation must submit a Certificate of Analysis from an IOC accredited laboratory proving that each of its athletes has been found drug-free immediately prior to the event, failing which the National Federation is disqualified from participation. Quite simply stated - no certificate, no participation!

-85kg, left to right:Sami Alhaddad (Bahrain - 2nd), Kang Kyung Won (Korea - 1st), Hasan Mohamed (Bahrain - 3rd)

A total of 94 bodybuilders from 21 countries competed for 24 medals in 8 bodyweight categories. Not one single athlete from among the medalists tested positive!

-90kg, left to right:Mohd Ismail Bin Mohd (Singapore - 2nd), Tariq Alfarsani (Bahrain - 1st), Ahmad Najih Alsaiafeen (Qatar - 3rd)

Officials from the Asian BodyBuilding Federation (ABBF) and the Korean BodyBuilding Federation (the host organizing committee) deserve high praise for organizing and hosting a superbly successful competition, in the usual competent and professional Asian manner.

+90kg, left to right:Wimpi Wungow (Indonesia - 2nd), Mohammad Anouti (Lebanon - 1st), Choi Jae Duck (Korea - 3rd)

Overall, it is obvious that bodybuilding's inclusion in the 14th Asian Games was a tremendous success. This is no more evident than the fact that the Olympic Council of Asia has decided to once again include the sport in the 15th Asian Games, to be held in 2006, in the city of Doha, Qatar.

The IFBB salutes the participants - officials, delegates, athletes and supporters - and commends the tireless efforts of Paul Chua in ensuring a highly successful 14th Asian Games. Congratulations!