KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian mountaineer Thillaimuthu Nagarajan, widely known as RJ Nagarajan, has been officially recognised and honoured for his groundbreaking achievement in mountaineering.
The recognition came after Nagarajan became the first Malaysian to conquer the 7 Summits Plus 2 Challenge, successfully summiting the highest peaks on all seven continents.
The Malaysia Book of Records officially honoured him last Monday for his feat.
The 7 Summits Plus 2 Challenge is an arduous expedition that involves scaling the highest peaks on all seven continents. Nagarajan's triumph extended beyond the conventional Seven Summit challenge as he tackled three distinct versions: the Bass List, Messner List, and Hackett List.
Starting with the iconic Mt Everest in Nepal, he journeyed across continents, conquering Mt Denali in Alaska, Mt Aconcagua in Argentina, Mt Vinson in Antarctica, Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the formidable duo of Mt Elbrus in Russia and Mt Blanc in France representing Europe, and concluding with the challenging pair of Mt Cartenz in Indonesia and Mt Kosciuszko in Australia.
"I am honored to have had the opportunity to embark on this challenging journey, and I hope my accomplishment inspires others to pursue their dreams fearlessly," said Nagarajan, reflecting on the significance of his achievement.
Rising from humble beginnings, he carved a successful corporate career and eventually became the chief executive officer of a multinational company in Singapore.
Following his departure from the corporate world, Nagarajan founded a consulting business dedicated to strategy and leadership transformation.
In addition to his professional pursuits, he actively supports mental health initiatives, extending a helping hand to those in need.
According to local mountaineering firm ZeroTo8000 founder Mohd Khafiz Bachok, Nagarajan's remarkable conquest of the peaks had set a new standard for global climbers and showcased his unparalleled dedication and passion to the craft.
Khafiz said the monumental achievement was not only a physical triumph but also a financial testament to Nagarajan's unwavering determination and commitment to his passion.
"He self-funded all his expeditions, a commitment that extends to his future challenges, including planned expeditions to the North and South Poles.
"Nagarajan's accomplishment and the pursuit of excellence in the face of formidable challenges highlights the 'Semangat Berdikari' slogan which Zeroto8000 stands for."
Nagarajan's achievement resonates as an inspiring story of resilience, determination, and the pursuit of excellence and adds a new chapter to Malaysia's mountaineering legacy.