Philomena Dexclyn Siar, an exceptional Bidayuh athlete hailing from Sarawak, has made history by becoming the first Sarawakian woman to secure victory on the fiercely competitive Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports stage. The remarkable achievement has been officially recognized by the prestigious Jalur Gemilang Book of Records.

At the recent 55th Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships held in Kathmandu, Nepal, Philomena, aged 40, clinched the gold medal for Team Malaysia in the Women’s Sports Physique (Over 165cm) category. Her triumphant performance displayed an unmatched combination of strength, dedication, and perseverance.

Philomena was presented with the Jalur Gemilang Book of Records certificate and medal which took place during the 52nd Mr. Malaysia Bodybuilding Championships at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang in Selangor on 14 October 2023. The ceremony was attended and witnessed by both the President and Vice President of Malaysia Body Building Federation (‘MBBF’), Major General Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Badrus Bin Othman (Rtd), and the Vice President, Lieutenant Commander Kamaruzaman Kadir (Rtd) together with the CEO of the Jalur Gemilang Book of Records, Mr. Simon Lau. Remarkably, the certificate and medal presentation coincided with Ms. Philomena’s 40th Birthday, adding an extra layer of significance to the event for our bodybuilding champion.

Philomena’s groundbreaking win not only represents a personal triumph but also stands as a significant milestone for Sarawakian sports and female empowerment. Her success has sparked pride and inspiration within the local community, especially among aspiring athletes, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and challenge conventional norms.

The Start of Her Bodybuilding Career

While currently serving as a state government administrative officer, Philomena embarked on her professional bodybuilding journey in 2018. Her initial motivation was to lead a healthier lifestyle and shed weight. She diligently committed to hours on the treadmill, weight training, and enlisted the guidance of a personal trainer.

In 2018, her talent was spotted by a renowned Sarawakian and Malaysian world-class bodybuilding athlete, Dr. Malvern Abdullah. Under his mentorship, Philomena made her competition debut at the FM League Physique War & Muscle War 2018 in Singapore.