LANGKAWI: Muar member of parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman lived up to his word — and then some — after completing the gruelling IRONMAN Malaysia in under 13 hours, earning RM1 million in pledged donations for his constituency.
The 33-year-old former Youth and Sports Minister clocked 12 hours, 22 minutes and 18 seconds, finishing 25th in the 30-34 age group and 174th overall among 638 participants.
His completion of the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run was not only a personal triumph but also secured a pledge by local fashion manufacturer Prima Valet, which had promised the RM1 million contribution to the people of Muar if he finished below the 13-hour mark.
It was first thought that Syed Saddiq had shaved his head as a show of commitment — joking that it could save him three seconds of race time — but when he crossed the finish line on Saturday, the MP was noticeably not bald, his hair having made a swift comeback long before race day.
“I came here with one goal — to get RM1 million of welfare support for Muar,” said a visibly exhausted Syed Saddiq, who hugged his parents, Syed Abdul Rahman Abdullah Al-Sagoff and Sharifah Mahani Syed Abdul Aziz, after crossing the finish line on Saturday.
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“And, I did it. Now Prima Valet must fulfil its promise — RM1 million for Muar, for laptops, food banks and Baju Raya. I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure the welfare of my people is looked after.”
However, it was not an easy race for Syed Saddiq.
He admitted he went through what he called “hell” during the marathon run, suffering from severe stomach issues and repeated cramping.
“This is the first time every time I took nutrition — banana or gel — I vomited it all out,” he said. “It reached a stage where I felt my stomach was empty. It went in, came out over and over again.”
He said that oral rehydration salts (ORS) helped him survive the ordeal.
“That’s what saved me. I managed to keep running, though I wasted a lot of time cramping and rushing to the toilet.
“My running time was much slower than in the World Championships in Nice, but my bike leg was faster.”
Syed Saddiq’s timing was nearly 50 minutes better than his previous personal best — a remarkable feat considering the scorching Langkawi heat.
“On the bike, I was flying compared to last year, but the run… I was in zombie mode,” he said. “My watch died midway, even the heart-rate monitor battery was gone. Luckily, friends running with me told me I was on pace. That kept me going.”
He admitted questioning his own sanity during the race.
“I kept asking, ‘Why am I torturing my body?’ But when I crossed the finish line, I told myself, ‘I’ll torture my body again'”” he joked.
Despite the pain, he said it was all worth it for the people of Muar and for the message he hopes to send about perseverance and fitness.
Reflecting on his previous race in France, the World Championships in Nice, he said that experience gave him the confidence to perform better this time around.
“France was brutal — the elevation was almost double Langkawi’s. But the weather there was nice. Here, it was hot as hell, and I think that really affected my stomach,” he said.
“Still, I like the challenge. It pushes me to become the best version of myself.”
While chatting with other first-timers during the run, he shared what he called the true spirit of Ironman.
“It’s not about finishing in 12 or 13 hours,” he said.
“It’s about being the best version of yourself.”
As for what comes next, the Muar MP has set his sights on longevity — quite literally.
“I made a promise to my mother and father — if I’m given the strength, I want to keep doing Ironman until I’m 100,” he said.
“Because to be a leader, whether in politics or elsewhere, you need grit, perseverance and endurance. When we’re pressured, we grow stronger.”
He quickly added with a grin:
“But no, I don’t plan to be a leader until I’m 100.”
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
