In the past, Pengiran Abdul Aziz bin Pengiran Haji Kamalrudzaman approached lifting with a raw, explosive energy, fuelled by the frustrations life had thrown his way.

The barbell was his outlet for the anger, a way to channel the weight of the world. But that approach has shifted.

Today, his lifting is driven by a profound sense of calm, rooted not in rage, but in his relationship with Allah the Almighty.

Known to all as Ajos, his name has recently echoed through Brunei Darussalam’s strength community, leaving a lasting impression on those who’ve witnessed his journey.

Lifting weights has always been more than just a personal pursuit for him as he wants to inspire the younger generation, the newcomers to the gym, and show them what’s possible.

At 30 years old, he holds the distinction of being a full-time strength coach at Forged Fitness and an athlete who shattered the national record for the Axle Deadlift, achieving a formidable 410 kilogrammes (kgs) at the Static Monster 2024 x Donuts and Deadlift event.

His story is not just one of raw power but of resilience, strategy and inspiration.

THE STRONGMAN’S CREED

Ajos embarked on his fitness journey in 2016, initially focusing on powerlifting, which centres on three key compound movements: the squat, bench press, and deadlift.

However, the repetition of the same three lifts day in and day out began to feel limiting.

“I got bored (with powerlifting),” admitted the former powerlifter. Seeking new challenges, he shifted to strongman training just last year.

The switch yielded swift results; within just four months, Ajos secured second place at Thailand’s Strongest Man competition and clinched first at the Asia Strength Games.

His journey saw a record-breaking triumph in 2024, following his initial national record of 365kg set in 2023.

Training for such monumental achievements isn’t a straightforward path. Reflecting on the past year, Ajos described it as smoother than the previous, which was marred by injuries.

In 2023, setbacks including a meniscus tear, a torn lat, and sciatica challenged his commitment.

“During those moments of injury, doubt crept in. I found myself questioning everything.

“When you’re dealing with injuries so severe that simple movement becomes excruciating, doubt strikes relentlessly, flooding your mind over and over,” the strength coach shared.

Yet through it all, he found a way to reframe those doubts into determination, supported unwaveringly by his wife, who has been a constant source of strength since the beginning of his journey.

“She has been my backbone ever since I started my fitness journey. She has been there through my injuries, and she’s been supporting me all the way,” his voice faltering with emotion as he reflected on the countless trials his wife had endured by his side.

SANDBAGS AND STRATEGY

Switching from powerlifting to strongman meant embracing unpredictability and cardio, and unlike CrossFit’s high-intensity circuits, strongman challenges athletes with raw strength, endurance and mental grit under time pressure.

“In strongman, you’re not just lifting; you’re moving weight from point A to point B as fast as possible,” Ajos explained.

Picture carrying those 120kg sandbags over a 20-metre stretch or sprinting under a 300kg yoke – this is the kind of dynamic, whole-body strength that defines the sport.

Training for these feats typically spans four to six days a week for Ajos, with sessions dedicated to pressing, deadlifts and simulated competition days where multiple event exercises are performed in succession.

Breaking the national record wasn’t an impulsive feat but a culmination of meticulous preparation and research.

With guidance from seasoned coaches such as Shane Jerman of MST Systems and former coach Ollie Clarke from the UK and Tom from Winning Strength, Ajos fine-tuned his approach.

“I absorbed valuable insights from them, and by combining their research with my own, I was able to meticulously programme my training for this year’s competition,” he noted.

This blend of external coaching and personal research enabled him to overcome past injuries and build a strategy that would lead to his record-setting 410kg lift. When asked about his mind-set during that record-breaking moment, Ajos shared that his approach has evolved.

“While I’ve been in the fitness sport for years, with eight years of powerlifting behind me, strongman is still new territory – but I know I’ve got the potential to excel.

“When I broke the national record, it wasn’t just about the lift; it was about the message I wanted to send. Every big lift, for me, is my form of jihad. It’s about doing it for myself, but also for Allah the Almighty.”

Ajos believes his iman is fundamental to his journey in the demanding world of strongman weightlifting. “My strength in iman is deeply connected to my journey in sports,” he shared.

“Without it, I’m certain my focus would falter under the intense demands of training, which tests not only the body but also the mind.”

In this arena, where progress can be measured in millimetres, faith becomes more than a silent companion – it is the driving force.

“True strength begins in the heart and mind, guided by faith,” he explained. For Ajos, each lift is more than raw power; it’s an expression of belief, channelled through inner peace to face the sport’s toughest trials with resilience and conviction.

As such, preparation for that moment was not just physical but mental as well. Visualisation, a technique suggested by his former coach, became a cornerstone of his strategy.

“The night before a competition, you already know exactly what weight you want on the bar.

The key is to visualise yourself in that moment. It’s just you and the bar. You picture the bar loaded with plates, and in your mind, you’ve already seen yourself lift it 20, maybe 21 times.

“So, when you step onto the platform, you’re already on your 22nd rep. That’s how I strategise my lifts.”

RAISING THE BAR

Despite the accolades, Ajos remains grounded and clear-eyed about the future.

“Strongman is still niche in Brunei,” he pointed out. His immediate goal is to build greater awareness and support for the sport, fostering a community that can sustain its growth.

“It’s about getting more exposure and more bodies involved, maybe even sponsors. That’s key for the sport’s development here.”

Personally, his sights are set on the world stage, with hopes of qualifying for the official Strongman Games by 2027. The road to that level is arduous, requiring not only continued physical development but also broader knowledge and strategic support.

For aspiring weightlifters, Ajos offered advice steeped in realism.

“Set achievable goals first; don’t jump straight to dreaming of world records when you’re new to the scene,” he cautioned.

Success is built progressively, one milestone at a time. Writing down these goals, visualising them, and tackling them step by step is a strategy that has served him well, and it’s one he believes others should adopt.

“When you achieve one goal, it builds momentum towards the next.”

As Ajos looks to the future, he acknowledges those who have been pivotal to his journey.

From the support at home with his wife to friends and the broader strongman community, his achievements are as much about resilience as they are about relationships.

“Shout out to everyone who has supported me,” he concluded with a smile. – Izah Azahari