top of page
bg_new_FA.jpg

Sharing important news and updates for you and the community

Malakoff University Duathlon Series 2012 Awards UPNM With Best University Award

25 May 2012

As the Malakoff University Duathlon Series (MUDS) drew to a close today at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), title sponsor Malakoff Corporation Berhad (Malakoff) crowned Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) with the Best University Trophy for best cumulative results throughout the tri-legged run-bike-run challenge. UPNM student also won the top spots for the Men’s University, Men’s Relay and Mixed Relay Categories in the final leg of the race.



In addition, UPNM bagged the Top University Trophy with RM3,000 cash incentive, for a formidable contingent of 179 students. Organised for the sixth consecutive time, the 2012 Series was opened in four categories namely: University Category (Men’s & Women’s), Open Category (Men’s & Women’s), Team Relay Category (Men’s & Mixed) and Media Category (Men’s & Women’s).



Speaking at the grand finale, Yusop Rashid, Head of Corporate Affairs and External Relations for Malakoff said, “The Malakoff University Duathlon Series or MUDS is an initiative under Malakoff’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility platform – The Malakoff Community Partnerships. MUDS is organised as part of our initiative to boost the Duathlete Community in Malaysia.”


“I am pleased with the enthusiastic response from the participants, especially with young amateurs and beginners performing their best in all three legs of the Series. Given the encouraging support, Malakoff will continue to champion MUDS in the future,” he added.



The inaugural University Duathlon Series was organised in 2003 with 312 participants vying for the top spots. Since then, the Series has gained popularity among duathletes with over 750 joining the race this year, drawing a sizeable number of participants from the expatriate community including Algeria, Australia, India, Mauritius, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States of America.


For the UPNM leg of the Series, spanning a distance of a 3km Run - 13.8km Bike - 3km Run, the winners of the University Category were Lim Shimri from UPNM (Men’s Category) and Lydia Tan Shenh Ai from Queenstown Resort College (Women’s Category), while Rikigoro Shinozuka and Zoe Natasha Bowden won the Men’s and Women’s Open respectively. The Men’s Relay Category saw Muhd Hifzhudin Noor Aziz and his team mates claiming the top spot.



UPNM students, who won the Best University and Top University Trophies, celebrated their success with cheers and laughter. Representing the university, Chan Jun Chen said, “We are delighted to have won the trophies. I am glad that the countless hours of training and hard work we have put in have come to fruition! Our win today will definitely encourage us to prepare even harder to retain the title next year.”



Apart the students from the host university, the Series also attracted students from over 30 universities and colleges including Universiti Malaya, Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Utara Malaysia among others.


Lim Shimri, a medical student from UPNM, age 20, was also visibly elated as he scored the top spot beating all seasoned favourites hands-down in all three legs of the series. A first time participant in MUDS, he said, “It feels great to win! It was such an adrenaline rush to be competing against my friends who pushed me to perform even better during the race.”



Commenting about the duathlon challenge, he added, “Duathlon is a perfect option for athletes who want to try out a multi-sport even. Given MUDS’ shorter race distance, I would definitely encourage everyone, especially beginners, to participate next year!”


The finale at UPNM was preceded by races at Universiti Malaya (UM) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) over the past two consecutive weekends. The first leg at UM involved a 3.5km Run - 11.4km Bike - 3.5km Run race, while the second leg at UPM was a 3km Run - 13km Bike - 3km Run race.



At the end of each leg, the top five winners in the University and Open categories as well as the top three winners of the Team and Media categories were awarded placing medals.


Sakhir Zohir from Algeria, who raced in the Open Category and won the second place said, “I enjoyed the race as it is a good opportunity for me to meet other duathletes of various background. I am impressed that the race was very well organised and look forward to participate in future sporting events organised by Malakoff.”



For the complete results and photographs of MUDS 2012, please visit the website: www.duathlonseries.com.my.

bottom of page