National powerlifter, meal-prep company founder win Berita Harian awards

SINGAPORE – Despite breaking multiple world records, national powerlifter Farhanna Farid’s proudest moments come from helping others beat their personal bests.

.“When my athletes or clients break their own personal records, I think that achievement actually far supersedes my own world records because I feel like I have managed to make a difference to someone,” said Farhanna, 33, who is also a personal coach.

The former pharmacist is also working to help relieve the financial strain of athletes in her role as an executive committee member of Powerlifting Singapore, where she leads marketing and sponsorship.

For her sporting achievements – she has earned 14 world records – and dedication to elevating women in sports, Farhanna received the Berita Harian Achiever of the Year 2026 award on Nov 6.

Now in its 28th year, the awards, organised by the Malay-language daily and sponsored by Maybank, recognise Malay/Muslim individuals who have made a mark in their fields.

In the past year, Farhanna has achieved sporting success. She placed fifth overall in the World Classic Open Powerlifting Championships in June, competing against top athletes from New Zealand, the Netherlands, Canada and the US.

Her achievements have inspired other women to take up the sport – Farhanna said one of her teammates took up powerlifting after reading her interview with women’s magazine Cleo. 

In September, Farhanna also organised Lift Like A Girl, a women-only competition.

Farhanna said: “I hope this award serves as a reminder that we should never be afraid to challenge ourselves, embrace who we are, and pursue what truly matters to us. 

“Because sometimes, when we find the courage to believe in ourselves, we give others the courage to do the same.”

Education Minister Desmond Lee, who was guest-of-honour, also gave out the Berita Harian Young Achiever of the Year 2026 award to entrepreneur Nabill Shukry Johary, in recognition of his resilience in overcoming financial hardship to build a thriving business.

In July 2021, with just $1,000 in personal savings, Nabill and his father launched Cheekies, which sells marinated, preservative-free meat.

His family, which lives in a one-room public rental flat in Tampines, has faced financial hardship over the years. His parents, who ran an interior design company from 2000 to 2004, had to shut down the firm after their business partner ran off with company funds. His mother also had to stop work in 2003 due to psoriatic arthritis.

His father, who became a private-hire driver, struggled during the Covid-19 pandemic when customers were few.

Drawing on lessons learnt from difficult times, Nabill persevered through any difficulties that Cheekies faced, including in 2022 when Malaysia banned the export of chicken to Singapore.

Cheekies now produces up to 500kg of pre-marinated meats weekly and is expanding into Malaysia in 2027.

Nabill also in September pledged $10,000 to start a bursary at his alma mater, Republic Polytechnic, for struggling students.

The driving force behind his ambition was to purchase a home for his mother. She died in March.

“My mum always wanted to see me win an award. In my five years of business, we have never won an award before. I think she would be very proud,” said Nabill, who will receive a trophy and $3,000.

Berita Harian and Maybank also introduced a new award category: the BH-Maybank Perkasa award, which recognises two Singaporeans of any race who have overcome socio-economic challenges to achieve success.

The inaugural awardees, who will each receive a trophy and $3,000, were Siti Nurhumaira Azman and Elizabeth Neo.

Berita Harian editor Nazry Mokhtar said: “We are opening this award to all races because next year is our 70th anniversary. This is a huge milestone for us and we felt it is a good time for us to open new doors. It shows that our community is ready to stand with everyone to celebrate everyday resilience.”

Neo, 37, a social work associate at the Fellowship of Men Singapore, helps to build safer families and strengthen their emotional resilience.

She said she draws on her decade-long struggle with addiction and incarceration to provide emotional support and empathy.

Humaira, 26, who grew up in a one-room rental flat in Ang Mo Kio with seven siblings, her mum and her grandparents, said she reached her lowest point in April this year, when her eight-month-old son died. 

He was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at four months, a diagnosis which came with a hefty $2.4 million treatment option.

The public policy officer at the Ministry of Law said: “I see this award as a symbol of hope… This award is something to push people and let them know they can also achieve if they push through.”