Borneo Safari 2026 Champions, Aleshen Lo and Norlee Yap with their support team
KOTA KINABALU: Kota Kinabalu duo Aleshen Lo and co-driver Norlee Yap emerged overall champions of the 34th Borneo Safari International Offroad Challenge 2026 after collecting 1,927 points in the gruelling eight-day competition in Ulu Tongod, Sabah.
Their victory earned them the prestigious Borneo Safari Championship Trophy, together with cash and prizes worth RM135,472, after finishing 76 points ahead of their closest challengers.
Aleshen said the victory was the result of intensive preparation and training to ensure they were ready for the demanding challenge.
“I am so happy today. We practised hard to make sure we would be ready for this event and all the hard work paid off,” he said following the announcement of the results.
Alexander Chang and Anderson Abdullah from Kota Marudu finished as first runners-up, taking home a trophy and cash and prizes worth more than RM84,967.
The second runners-up position went to Koo Foi Loong and Velerick Martin from Keningau, who received a trophy and cash and prizes worth more than RM57,758.
The event, held from Oct 25 to Nov 1, attracted more than 650 modified four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles and over 1,700 participants from East and West Malaysia, as well as 15 other countries.
Participants faced some of Borneo’s most challenging terrain along abandoned logging trails in Ulu Tongod, navigating muddy jungle tracks, steep inclines, V-shaped gullies, landslide areas and multiple river crossings.
The event featured Competition and Tag On categories, with 31 teams competing in the Competition Category across 24 Special Stages (SS), while Tag On participants tackled equally demanding expedition routes amid persistent rain.
Organised by the Sabah Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA), the event concluded with a celebration dinner in Kota Kinabalu tonight, which also featured the announcement of the championship results and presentation of special awards.
Among the special award recipients was Jiverainer Allan Chin, who won the Borneo Safari Jungleman Award, while Jovinia John Yih received the Borneo Safari Jungle Woman Award.
The Borneo Safari Foul Up of the Year Award went to Competitor No. 139 from the Johor Team, while the Vehicle of the Year Award was presented to the pink Isuzu 2.2 Auto Premium bearing registration number WQU 9882.
Nazri Hashim, also known as Offroad Paparazi Burger, received the Fred Leong Award for excellence in visual storytelling through social media.
The Borneo Safari Environment Award was presented to the Sweeper and Environment Team, led by Hamka Abdul Wahid, while the Team Spirit Award went to Tag On H, led by Serman Hassmar.
SFWDA President and Borneo Safari Event Director Faez Nordin congratulated all participants for successfully completing this year’s challenge and expressed appreciation to the sponsors, partners, government agencies, volunteers and supporting organisations.
Faez
He also conveyed special appreciation to Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd, which returned as the Diamond Sponsor; Grantt Lubricants, the Platinum Sponsor and Official Lubricants Partner for the 10th consecutive year; and PETRONAS Dynamic Diesel Euro 5 with Pro-Drive, the Official Fuel Partner.
Sabah Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industries Datuk Jamawi Ja’afar was also present at the closing ceremony, alongside representatives of sponsors, partners and supporting government agencies.
Borneo Safari continues to strengthen Sabah’s reputation as an international destination for world-class 4WD adventure, while bringing together the global offroad community through a shared passion for exploration, resilience and camaraderie.
