PETALING JAYA: During the day, Loh Cen Hao works as a full-time physiotherapist but on the weekends, he is a student pursuing an academic degree in the same field.
Despite an already hectic schedule, the burly 23-year-old based in Selangor still makes time to train at the gym during the night.
Standing at 183cm and weighing close to 110kg, Loh is in fact an elite powerlifter who snagged the gold for Malaysia at the recently concluded 2022 Asian Classic Powerlifting Championships held in Dubai from Dec 1-7.
Powerlifting, said Loh, is a strength sport that consists of three attempts at maximal weight on three lifts; squat, bench press, and deadlift, with age classes present as well.
Amassing a 767.5kg total (290kg squat, 177.5kg bench press and 300kg deadlift) in the under 105kg Junior category, Loh reigned supreme totalling 42.5kg more than his Kazakhstan opponent who came in second.
The former national shot put athlete added that he took up competitive powerlifting as he wanted to scratch a “competitive itch” after putting down the steel ball in late 2020.
“I continued doing my weight training (after leaving shot put) and was told by some of my peers to take up powerlifting.
“I then looked up Malaysia’s powerlifting national records and saw I wasn’t too far off (from breaking them),” said Loh, who was also a runner-up in the men’s shot put event at the 2018 edition of the Malaysia Games (Sukma).
Without a coach at the time, Loh self-taught to improve his strength by reading strength and conditioning journals in addition to applying methods learnt during his days as a shot putter.
“After much deliberation, I took a leap of faith and signed up for my first powerlifting meet earlier this year, and I broke various national records in the U105kg category.”
Loh said the results then qualified him for the Malaysia national championships in June, which he won. Later, he also emerged tops in the South-East Asian championships.
Recalling his win at the Asian Classic Powerlifting Championships, Loh, who now has a coach, said it was not exactly smooth sailing given the various recurring injuries and constant search for funds to compete there.
The highlight of his win was undoubtedly hearing Negaraku played after receiving his gold medal.
“It was surreal. There are just no words to explain it. We always hear the national anthem played but this time, it was just different,” said the proud Malaysian.
His advice to those looking to take up powerlifting?
“Take the bull by the horns.”