Syarul, better known as “Mike Mahen”, outperformed three Hangzhou Asian Games 2022 gold medallists – Ng Eain Yow (squash), Qabil Ambak Fathil (equestrian), and Arif Afifuddin Ab Malik (karate) – as well as Rafiq Ismail (tenpin bowling).
The 51-year-old former athlete, who announced his retirement in March, won his sixth world and Asian title last year.
National tenpin bowler Natasha Roslan, who ended Malaysia’s 12-year gold medal drought by winning the individual event at the 2023 World Championships in Salmiya, Kuwait, was named the National Sportswoman.
Natasha beat four competitors, including national squash star S Sivasangari, Nur Amisha Azrilrizal (muay thai), Nur Syazrin Mohamad Latif (sailing), and Nurul Alyani Jamil (lawn bowls).
The trophies were presented to Syarul and Natasha by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, with youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh in attendance.
Syarul is the third bodybuilder to win the National Sportsman award, following Abdul Malek Noor (1986) and Sazali Samad (2000, 2006, 2013 and 2014).
Natasha is the first tenpin bowler to be named National Sportswoman since Shalin Zulkifli (2002).
National powerlifting star Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, who broke his own world record in the 72kg event with a lift of 231kg at the 2023 World Para Powerlifting Championships in Dubai, was named National Paralympic Sportsman.
The reigning Paralympic champion defeated three para-athletics athletes: Ziyad Zolkefli, Abdul Latif Romly, Ammar Aiman Nor Azmi, and para-swimmer Nur Syaiful Zulkafli.
Nur Suraiya Zamri and her pilot, Farina Shawati Mohd Adnan, who won gold in the women’s B 1km track cycling time trial at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games 2022, were named National Paralympic Sportswomen.
Nur Suraiya and Farina Shawati triumphed over Noor Askuzaimey Mat Salim and Angeline Melissa Anak Lawas (boccia) and Jariah Zakaria (para lawn bowls).
The National Men’s Team award went to tenpin bowlers Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek and Ahmad Muaz Mohd Fisol, who won bronze at the 2023 World Championships.
The National Women’s Team award went to Nur Ain Nabilah Tarmizi and Aleena Ahmad Nawawi, who ended Malaysia’s 15-year gold medal drought in the pairs event at the 2023 World Women’s Lawn Bowls Championships in Gold Coast, Australia.
The ceremony also honoured the founder of the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC), Dr PS Nathan, who was recognised as a sports icon for his contributions to elevating the sport during the 1990s.
Khalid Yunus, known for his dynamic leadership and 14-year tenure as president of the Malaysian Amateur Athletics Union, was awarded the Sports Leadership award.
The prestigious awards, introduced in 1966, are the highest government recognition for excellence achieved by athletes, coaches, officials and national sports associations.
Full list of recipients at the 2023 National Sports Awards (ASN):
- National Sportsman – Syarul Azman Mahen Abdullah (bodybuilding)
- National Sportswoman – Natasha Roslan (tenpin bowling)
- National Paralympic Sportsman – Bonnie Bunyau Gustin (powerlifting)
- National Paralympic Sportswomen – Nur Suraiya Zamri and Farina Shawati Mohd Adnan (pilot) (track cycling)
- National Men’s Team – Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek-Ahmad Muaz Fisol (tenpin bowling)
- National Women’s Team – Nur Ain Nabilah Tarmizi-Aleena Ahmad Nawawi (lawn bowls)
- National Men’s Coach – Zuraidi Puteh (lawn bowls)
- National Women’s Coach – Chai De Choo@Wendy Chai (tenpin bowling)
- Sports Icon Award – Dr PS Nathan
- Sports Leadership Award – Khalid Yunus
- Special Award – Qabil Irfan Azlan (motorsports) and Special Olympics Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Anwar pledged special consideration for the youth and sports ministry, including additional allocations, to elevate the nation’s sports sector.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, said despite current financial constraints, priority should be given to certain programmes related to the “Road to Gold” and “Podium Programme” initiatives leading up to the Paris 2024 Olympics.