KUALA LUMPUR: An 11-year-old boy from Kampung Tok Jembal emerged the winner of the 'Siputrace' snail racing competition held in Pantai Tok Jembal on Thursday night, claiming a RM1,000 prize.
Muhammad Ar Rayyan Saharuddin, who purchased his four snails for just RM2, outpaced 186 other contestants.
"I actually came here for fun and to try my luck. I didn't expect my snails perform so well and win in all the races.
"Alhamdulillah (praise be to God), I am grateful for the fortune I received today. InsyaAllah (God willing), I will save the money I received and take good care of the winning snail," he told Sinar Harian.
The competition, organised by Muhammad Yusri Muda, was inspired by a mud creeper (siput sedut) race seen on TikTok.
Open to all types of snails with a RM1 entry fee, the event attracted over 2,000 spectators.
A variety of snails, including mud creepers, apple snails (siput gondang), snail chisels (siput buluh), and others, were showcased.
"What I saw on TikTok inspired us to do something a little different by holding the competition live tonight," said Yusri.
"Local vendors contributed to the prize fund, pooling their money to reward the winner."