Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman exceeded expectations by finishing Ironman Malaysia in under 13 hours, unlocking RM1 million in pledged aid for his constituents.
The 33-year-old former youth and sports minister recorded 12 hours, 22 minutes and 18 seconds. He placed 25th in the 30-34 age group and 174th overall out of 638 finishers.
Conquering a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run triggered a commitment from Prima Valet. The fashion firm vowed RM1 million for Muar if he beat the 13-hour cutoff.
Rumours swirled that Syed Saddiq shaved his head for a three-second edge, but he crossed the line on Saturday with hair intact, regrown well ahead of the event.
“I came here with one goal—to get RM1 million of welfare support for Muar,” said the drained MP, embracing parents Syed Abdul Rahman Abdullah Al-Sagoff and Sharifah Mahani Syed Abdul Aziz at the finish.
“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.”
The race tested him harshly. Severe stomach troubles and cramps turned the marathon into “hell”.
“This is the first time every time I took nutrition—banana or gel—I vomited it all out,” he shared. “It reached a stage where I felt my stomach was empty. It went in, came out over and over again.”
Oral rehydration salts kept him moving. “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.”
His result shaved nearly 50 minutes off his personal best, defying Langkawi’s intense heat.
“On the bike, I was flying compared to last year, but the run… I was in zombie mode,” he recalled. “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 questioned his choices mid-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.
The effort paid off for Muar and to inspire perseverance and fitness.
His Nice World Championships stint built confidence. “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.”
“Still, I like the challenge. It pushes me to become the best version of myself.”
Chatting with first-timers on the run, he defined Ironman’s essence. “It’s not about finishing in 12 or 13 hours. It’s about being the best version of yourself.”
Looking ahead, he pledged longevity to his parents. “If I’m given the strength, I want to keep doing Ironman until I’m 100.”
“Because to be a leader, whether in politics or elsewhere, you need grit, perseverance and endurance. When we’re pressured, we grow stronger.”
With a grin, he clarified: “But no, I don’t plan to be a leader until I’m 100.”
