Here with every step: Mohd Zamri (right) guiding and instructing Dzukram Alzam and Dzuhair Alzam during the Crank Lead 2024 championship at a mall in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: While many are more inclined toward hiking hills or mountains, few are drawn to the extreme sport of climbing artificial walls.
For Mohd Zamri Hamid’s family, however, this challenging activity has become the sport of choice for all five of his children, including the youngest, who is only eight years old.
Having introduced his children to the sport as early as age three, veteran climber Mohd Zamri, 53, is no stranger to the world of extreme climbing.
With over three decades of experience, he has proudly represented the country in numerous climbing competitions.
Most recently, he won the Crank Lead 2024 championship in the Master Lead category after a 15-year hiatus from competitions.
Notably, two of his sons, Dzukram Alzam and Dzuhair Alzam, secured second and third places in the 17-18 year open category.
“Since they were young, I would bring them along to watch me train at the Youth and Sports Complex in Kedah, where I practised with other climbers.
“At that time, they would just observe. They started learning to climb walls when they were around five or six years old,” he told Bernama.
He said what began as a casual activity to occupy their free time laid the foundation for Dzukram Alzam, 21, and Dzuhair Alzam, 17, to become athletes in the sport.
In addition to the Crank Lead 2024 championship, two of his sons have also represented Malaysia in extreme sports events, including the 2023 IFSC Sport Climbing Asian Olympic Qualifier in Jakarta, Indonesia, and the 2023 South-East Asia Climbing League in Bangkok, Thailand.“Besides taking them to the youth and sports complex, I didn’t mind investing in building a 3.7m artificial wall in our garage to give exposure to my younger children, Dhiya Sufiyah, aged 12, and Dzukryz Alzam, aged eight,” he said.
When asked about the difference between climbing hills and mountains versus wall climbing, the coach from the Kedah Youth and Sports Complex, who has also represented Malaysia in the X-Games, explained that each sport presents its own unique set of challenges.
He explained that just as wall climbing requires agility, high stamina and strategic planning based on experience and knowledge, climbing hills or mountains also demands mental sharpness and intense focus to reach the summit.
When asked about his reasons for choosing climbing, Dzukram Alzam said the sport remains relatively unexplored by younger generations.
Considering it a form of “puzzle”, where strategy is key in determining the right route, Mohd Zamri’s eldest son said that while the sport is quite extreme, it is also enjoyable because it activates the entire body.
“This means the whole body gets a workout while the mind is trained to stay focused.
“I have a dream to compete at the highest levels, like the IFSC Climbing World Cup, within the next five to 10 years, and aim for a podium finish as a step toward qualifying for the Olympics,” Dzukram said.
