INSPIRED by a string of victories since his comeback this year, Penang bodybuilder Steven Mark James has set his sights on earning a Pro Card from the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB).
To achieve his goal, Steven must compete in designated regional pro-qualifying events and win the overall title. With a Pro Card, he would be eligible to compete at the professional level and vie for cash prizes.
“That’s my dream. It’s every bodybuilder’s dream to become a professional champion,” Steven, 36, told Buletin Mutiara in a recent interview.
“Unlike in many other countries, bodybuilding is not widely appreciated or well supported in Malaysia. I hope to find sponsors who can help me realise my dream.”
After staying away from the competition arena for three years, Steven made a strong comeback this year.
He clinched the Champion of Champions title at three consecutive competitions — Mr Penang 2026 on Sept 19, FIF Mr Perak 2026 on Sept 27, and Mr Malaysia 2026 on Oct 5.
However, at his first pro-qualifying event, the NPC-IBFF Pro Qualifications in Bangsar on Oct 18, he finished fourth in the light heavyweight category.
“Although I did not win, I gained a lot of knowledge and experience competing against many other international athletes,” he said.
Steven, who stands at 173cm and weighs 92kg, took up bodybuilding at the age of 19.
“I come from a family of boxers. My late father and uncle were involved in boxing and later became coaches. I also wanted to enter the ring, but my mother objected.
“So, I took up bodybuilding instead. My father was my pillar of strength. He encouraged me all the way when I chose bodybuilding as my career,” he recalled.
Success came early for Steven. He won the Mr Malaysia Junior Champion title in 2010 and 2011, followed by the Mr Penang Champion of Champions title in 2012 and the Mr Penang overall champion title in 2014.
However, he failed to secure a title at the national level in 2014, a setback that left him contemplating quitting the sport.
“I could not accept the fact that I had failed to win anything at the national level in 2014. I felt like quitting, but my father advised me to be patient as I was still young. He told me to give myself two years to become a champion,” Steven said.
He eventually fulfilled his ambition in 2017, winning the Mr Malaysia Champion of Champions title. In the same year, he was featured in a Pendidikan Moral examination paper and was also named the Gorilla Ambassador 2017 through a brand representation opportunity.
“Unfortunately, my father died of a heart attack in 2015. He was not there to witness my achievement. He was the one who inspired me and who supported me financially,” he said.
During this difficult period, Steven found work as an assistant manager at a fitness club before moving on to become a trainer at another gym.
He took a break from competing in 2019 and again in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He returned briefly in 2022 before stepping away from competitions again from 2023 to 2025.
“Bodybuilding is an expensive sport, as you need supplements and other fitness-related products. When I returned to competition in 2026, some of my clients supported me when I approached them for help.
“I hope to open my own gym one day,” said Steven, who now works as a freelance trainer and sells supplements to make a living.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Law Suun Ting