JOHOR BARU (ANN/THE STAR) – J Jayamalar, a 66-year-old businesswoman from Ipoh, Perak, captured the top spot at the Malaysia Laughing Championship with her spirited performance.
Mimicking a chicken and amusing herself with a cat wand were among the antics that propelled her through three rounds of the online competition, organised by the Johor Baru Happy and Joyous Club.
Her infectious laughter outshone seven other contenders from across the nation.
The win also makes her Malaysia’s representative for the World Laughing Championship to be held on June 1. “I took part in the competition with the intention of having fun and meeting like-minded people while looking at the laughing styles of others.
“I told myself just to be silly and express myself creatively according to the topic given by the host. “I was shocked when they told me that I had won; I thought I was the runner-up when they called out my name,” she said when contacted.
Prior to the competition, the participants were given an idea of what the topics were, Jayamalar said, adding that in the spur of the moment, she decided to use her cat’s toy as a prop during one of the rounds.
“Although it was my first time participating in such a competition, I am no stranger to laughing exercises as I practise five minutes of laughing and speaking gibberish every morning.
“I find that this lifts my mood and spirits since I started about six months ago. This tried-and-tested practice does wonders for my confidence levels and opens up opportunities because it puts me in a good mood,” she said.
The businesswoman added that there were no laughing clubs in Perak so she usually joins the online laughing sessions organised by the Johor Baru Happy and Joyous Club.
Asked if she felt nervous about representing Malaysia in the upcoming international championship, Jayamalar said she hoped to make the country proud by being herself and doing her best.
Event organising chairman Doreen Tey said Jayamalar won because of her originality and creativity shown through laughter.
She noted that the contestants went through three rounds of competition where they were each given a 30-second slot to express themselves through laughter according to the topics given, such as laughing as an animal, and laughing like a child at a playground.
The participants were judged based on humility, joyfulness, sparkle, contagiousness and originality.
“This was our third time organising the competition to remind the public that laughing is beneficial for our health.
“We will be cheering Jayamalar in the international competition, which will also be conducted online,” she said, adding that Malaysia placed fourth in the World Laughing Championship in 2021.
