Brunei’s fitness prowess takes the spotlight as athletes conquer the Deka Mile in Bintulu, winning seven gold medals
From the casual enthusiast aiming to elevate their performance in competitive circuits to the seasoned runner harbouring aspirations of clinching prestigious victories, the Sultanate consistently boasts talented individuals capable of remarkable physical feats.
Last year, Brunei achieved unparalleled success in competitions emphasising strength and physical prowess, as exemplified by its notable participation in the recent Deka Mile event in Bintulu, Sarawak.
Local athletes demonstrated their outstanding fitness levels, contributing to the nation’s remarkable success in the realm of strength-related competitions.
The country amassed a notable haul of seven gold, three silver, and two bronze medals during the event, effortlessly solidifying its position as the most successful country in this widely popular cross-functional training competition.
Deka encompasses three distinct events, categorised by running distances known as Strong, Fit, and Mile, with the latter taking the spotlight in Bintulu.
The tournament is recognised across the globe, extending its popularity beyond the United States, where multiple states host these types of events, drawing some of the fittest and most accomplished talents.
A fusion of workout routines emphasising cardio and strength, the Deka competition is designed to challenge individuals of all fitness levels in a competitive setting.
Despite differences in running distances, each event comprises ten standard zones, ensuring a consistent and rigorous experience for participants.
Each athlete must complete a designated workout in each of the 10 zones before embarking on a run, the distance of which is determined by the specific event they have registered for.
What becomes evident in Bintulu is the noteworthy performance of a group of Bruneian athletes, signalling the burgeoning fitness community in the Sultanate.
The ability of local gym enthusiasts to compete effectively against their counterparts from neighbouring regions underscores the considerable strength and power they possess, whether engaged in battles on exercise machines or with equipment.
The Deka series of events incorporate lunges with a ram roller – a weighted cylindrical object carried on one or both shoulders – and ram burpees, which involve holding the end of the same object while performing burpees.
Drawing inspiration from typical gym workouts, athletes will recognise cardio machines like the rower, Ski Erg and assault bike.
In addition to running, the cardio component requires completing a 500-metre (m)distance on the rower and ski machines, as well as expending 25 calories on the demanding assault bike.
Participants must also navigate various challenges, including box jumps or step-overs, medicine ball sit-up throws, a 100m farmer’s carry, dead ball wall overs and a 100m tank push and pull.
Each zone in the Deka series spotlights fundamental movements like jumping, throwing, lifting, and carrying, prioritising physical strength and coordination while targeting different muscle groups.
The Deka meet stands out as a comprehensive display of a total body workout. The fastest athlete to complete the designated functional zones without incurring penalties emerges victorious in the race. In this context, the performances of local athletes should serve as a testament to the effectiveness and systematic approach offered by various gyms in the Sultanate.
Despite the importance of fitness competition and coaching experience in the pursuit of glory, the eleven Bruneians are affiliated with or trained across different gyms in their home country.
Leading up to the competition, the participants engaged in simulations of the prescribed workouts, either individually or as a group, to familiarise themselves with the movements and surroundings.
The quality of instruction from certified instructors, tailored to meet the athletes’ needs, has been a contributing factor to the proven success of these gyms, fostering a burgeoning fitness community.
While gyms and instructors undoubtedly play influential roles in contributing to the athletes’ success, it is the qualities, growth, and development exhibited by these individuals that have played a pivotal role in propelling the nation to new heights in the fitness competition circuit. – Fadhil Yunus
