National bodybuilding champion, Sazali Samad, who was suspended four years after failing a doping test last year, will file a second appeal to the Malaysian Bodybuilding Federation (MBBF).

The test was conducted by the Malaysian Anti-Doping Agency (Adamas) on Sept 1, last year and the suspension began on Sept 22.

Sazali, via his lawyer, Mohd Norasmawi Ismail, said the letter would be sent in two weeks' time.

He said the appeal was under Sazali's own name and not as previously, namely, via the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) or the National Sport Council.

"Sazali has also retired from PDRM, so the appeal is on an individual capacity for the second time. We will refer to the records of weightlifting athletes whereby, their suspension (for doping) was only two years.

"To me, rightly there should be no problem to reduce the punishment because Sazali was found guilty of doping outside of championships and he did not run away from the charge," Mohd Norasmawi told reporters at a ceremony to open the Sazali Samad Academy at i-Tech Tower, Shaftsbury in Cyberjaya here.

For the record, Sazali won the Mr Universe championship 10 times, namely in Melaka (2000); Moscow, Rusia (2004); Ostrava, Republik Czech (2006); Jeju, South Korea (2007); Dubai, United Arab Emirates (2009); Varanasi, India (2010); Melaka (2011); Bangkok, Thailand (2012), Budaors, Hungary (2013) and Mumbai, India (2014).

The Batu Pahat-born, who was dubbed 'Ironman of Malaysia', has also won the Mr Asia title nine times in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014.

Meanwhile, Sazali when met, hoped MBBF could consider his appeal this time.

He said he was still enthusiastic on contesting on the international stage and still underwent training during his suspension.

"Hopefully, the appeal this time is successful in reducing the suspension to only two years. Although I am advancing in terms of age, I don't think it is an obstruction for me to contest again.

"For me, what's most important is taking care of the body and discipline," he added. -Bernama