And whoever wants to judge me for my "Asian Games incident" - here is what happened:
I have been traveling extensively in the last decade and one thing did get my attention:
every time I was in Asia I heard some rumors about gentelman by the name of Paul Chua - fixing the scores of competitions on regular bases...
I didn't take these claims seriously - as I know better that in any bodybuilding competition ONLY A WINNER agrees with the judges...
There were many talks about "fixings" of many competitions - but as I competed 110 times in my life (72 IFBB pro shows) and seeing HUNDREDS of others - I can honestly say that I have never witness blunt fixing of any show...(maybe I would not agree sometimes with placing...but I can't say I saw FIXING - ever).
Not until I went to Doha and witnessed the Asian Games.
Now - some of you might have to realize first what is at stake to understand just little better WHY fixing could be of major proportions...
Gold medalists in that competition (Asian games are held every 4 years - just like the Olympics) would receive $250000.oo - YES, you read it correctly QUORTER of the million dollars from respective governments (each country awards their athletes little different - but that is the ball park range..)
Qatar actually offered $150000.oo BONUS...so two of their bodybuilders (gold medalists) received $400000.oo EACH...
UAE (gold medal in question) offered $250000.oo, HOUSE and brand new Mercedes - to their winner...
Singapore (another BEYOND questionable gold medal) - $250000.oo plus undisclosed bonus...etc
So what happens in Asia and Middle East - everyone knows that "highest bidder" gets what they want...as they only need to "close the deal" with "Mr. Fixer" (Paul Chua's nickname used in Asia)...
Now, as much as I didn't want to believe in rumors - I was warned that medals were given MONTH BEFORE the competition...
I had exact order of medals in each category given to me by ...let's just say SOMEONE (at this time).
Sadly, "month before prediction" materialized to the T...
Each and every category ended up exactly as predicted...
Yes, there was many GOOD CALLS...and I did agree with many results...but some are just too insulting to anyone with just little bit of Intelligence...
For example:
If for the next Mr. Olympia I would announce that Micky Mouse is coming straight out of Disneyland to win the Sandow...many would laugh...
But, when Micky beats Jay, Ronnie and the rest of the field with the perfect score...WHAT would you say than?
If Milos complained again - should he be suspended...or better yet - "killed"?
It is exactly what happened in Doha...
#1) I have heard about FIXING categories and weight classes...
Competitors much heavier (or lighter in some instances) would make desired weight - and nobody would know HOW...
Well, I saw HOW with my own eyes.
As I was official Malaysian coach (very proud of my two PHENOMENAL athletes - both deserving much better placing that what they got...) I was ONLY official allowed to come for weigh-inn.
To my surprise - when I came to official weigh-in...I was NOT ALLOWED inside the room...and NOBODY could see the scale, except Paul Chua's right-hand man.
I have confessions of few competitors COMPLAINING about the weigh-in - just to be warned to be disqualified IF they say anything...as it already happened before (I have written confession of a doctor of certain Asian country who told me that - they filed complaint once...but they were immediately suspended...
They had to write a letter of apology to be accepted back...later on...
So -first competitors are PLACED in categories of Paul Chua's choice...(winner of the 90+kg category was about the same weight as his countryman in 80kg category winning the silver) - just one of the examples...
#2) I have heard about score sheets being printed BEFORE the event (after the task #1 is successfully completed).
Confession of ONE OF THE OFFICIAL JUDGES (in front of some Asian games competitors and another IFBB professional) was that he was "drawing flowers" on his sheet rather than judging!?!?!
As I asked furiously HOW CAN HE DO THAT - he simply stated - everyone knows that our score sheets will end up in garbage and Paul will use advancely prepared scores with their names and signatures on it...
Official scores would be printed the minute class will walk off the stage - in completely different part of the building...And results would be available and announced on the radio also couple of minutes AFTER the class was finished - instantly...
In 65kg category for example there was ONE POINT difference between my competitor and UAE representative (they sure made it look like the "close contest")...
Yet, at the finals top five were called out in numerical order only - winner and runner up separated by competitor who wasn't even in running for top three...
After set of mandatories - competitors were now reversed (left and right side changed their respective positions) - so AGAIN top two (with just point difference) were never placed next to each other.
I instructed Zali (my competitor who is also 3 times World Champion in this class...winning the World Championship just weeks before) to stand NEXT to the guy from UAE who was leading after the prejudging by a single point...
Zali listened and moved right next to him - just to be forced back in his position...as NOBODY wanted him to be directly compared to eventual winner!
Results of the finals were EXACTLY the same as from prejudging - thus Sazali Samad at the age of 39 who absolutely deserved the perfect score and gold medal was denied what he worked so hard for...
Once in the lifetime opportunity to secure his family and put the roof over his children's heads was - taken away...
Sadly, even Minister of Youth and Sports of Malaysia Dato Azalina Dato Othman was in tears - asking me to GO AHEAD and SAY what needs to be said at the official press conference.
Previously,(two days before the contest) she expressed her fear that Paul Chua indeed has "plans" for 65kg category...and she only prays for Justice...
I acted as a coach - as instructed by my superiors (in this instance) and I openly criticised what I saw that day.
I guess - I breached a "code of conduct" of the IFBB...and therefore I am facing suspension...
I'll take the punishment if committee believes I deserve one.
I do want to mention that during the prejudging right after 65kg class I started watching the next category (70 kg) class...
After competitors got introduced I was asked what I think about certain competitor - "Simon Chua" or officially Ling Fung CHUA from Singapore...
As I analyzed his competition and realized that even though he had decent lines - he is OUTCLASSED by many...I made a statement - he'll be very lucky if he makes the top five...
Well, my friends reminded me to look at the list (done month before as "prediction" list of the winners)...
I saw Simon as expected winner of the class!
That is when I came with comment: "well, this is possible ONLY if this contest is being held in Disneyland and Mr. Walt Disney is the judge..."
Well...Simon got the PERFECT SCORE...and I realized I wasn't even close to Anaheim of FANTASYLAND...
#3) There is still ONE more obstacle for the "masterplan" to be completed...and that was a "doping test"...
Well, let's just (for time being) say that - certain competitors who I talked to were not worried at all...(while manifesting clear viseable signs of "doping indicators"...if you know what I mean)...
Sure enough - my guys were immediately called for testing (which they passed in flying colors) but certain others would have something to worry about...well, if it wasn't for Mr. Chua...off course...
So, there you have it.
Now, I suppose to be the IFBB Representative - everywhere I go...
The same day I witnessed what I did - I made URGENT CALL to Mr. Rafael Santonja (IFBB President)...
I reported exactly what I saw.
The rest is about to come to conclusion...
The fact is:
I know that I am in very bad predicament...
Mr. Paul Chua is official with long history in the IFBB and very high position...
I am only one of hundreds of competitors...so chances are - I will be eaten alive by "powers to be"...
- I know that I might lose my Weider contract as well as get suspended by the IFBB...hence - highly affect my livelyhood.
- I have NOTHING to gain and EVERYTHING to lose in this whole ordeal...but...for Shawn, texasbubba and people alike who like to talk about "STRENGTH and HONOR"
there is a simple question of PRIDE, self-respect, courage, integrity and HONOR to do THE RIGHT THING - regardless of the consequences.
- I am fighting for justice for my brothers of Iron in Asia and the Middle East...
- I am fighting to save the integrity of the IFBB...which is highly affected with happenings in Asia for a long time (since the dictatorship of "Mr. Fixer")...
- I am fighting for bodybuilding as a sport.
