By: Roodwill
Bangkok: Dr Stanley Missun never expected his name to be announced as the winner of Mister Classy Model International 2026 as he stood on the competition stage in Bangkok, Thailand, that night.
The confusion began when the emcee’s announcement – delivered in English with a Thai accent – was unclear to him. As the victory sash was placed over his shoulder, he merely smiled, assuming he had finished as runner-up.
“My heart told me, ‘Oh, so this is what it feels like to be second. Never mind, that is still a great achievement,'” he said.
However, the thunderous cheers from the audience, accompanied by the waving of the Jalur Gemilang and the Sabah flag by the Malaysian National Director, startled him. At that moment, he realised the top title was truly his.
“At that moment, I no longer saw myself as an individual. I saw the Sabah flag and the Jalur Gemilang. I realised I carried the hope that a child of Borneo could also stand on the world stage,” he said in a statement following his victory.
Returning to an old dream
Behind the crown he won lies the story of a Sabahan son who has dared to challenge himself across multiple fields. Before becoming an international champion, Dr Stanley navigated various career phases – starting as a bank officer in Kuala Lumpur, then as a flight attendant with Malaysia Airlines, and later as a newsreader and presenter at RTM Sabah.
Now an academic, researcher and cultural activist, he also actively leads the OMBAK (Orkestra Muzik Bambu Kinabalu) Malaysia bamboo orchestra and has set 11 records in The Malaysia Book of Records as a Programme Director.
Although he had previously won modelling competitions in the Philippines and Australia some years ago, he never truly left the world of pageantry.
“Many assumed it was merely nostalgia. In truth, the dream in this field never faded. I asked myself, ‘Why settle for one dream when I have the capacity to pursue many?’ I want to prove that age is not a barrier, and career is not a boundary,” he said.
Bringing the spirit of Sabah to the world stage
Preparation for Bangkok was not merely about physical training. While other contestants chose modern performances for the talent competition segment, Dr Stanley made a bold decision to showcase Togunggak Bamboo Music – a cultural heritage close to his heart.
During the four-and-a-half-minute performance, the melodies of bamboo music resonated through the hall while a giant screen behind the stage displayed the beauty of Mount Kinabalu, Sabah’s cultural diversity and its natural landscapes.
“I did not come to Bangkok just to compete. I wanted to bring the spirit of Sabah to the world stage,” he said.
His efforts caught the attention of international contestants. Some wanted to learn more about the bamboo musical instruments, while many expressed a desire to visit Sabah after watching the performance.
“Some said, ‘I’ve never heard music like this before.’ Others told me, ‘Sabah is now on my bucket list.’ That alone proves that culture can bring people together regardless of race,” he said.
Judges found the true champion
Dr Stanley admitted that at times the cameras focused more on contestants considered early favourites. However, that did not dampen his spirit to continue giving his best performance.
“The cameras captured the favourites. The judges discovered the champion,” he said humbly.
In addition to the Grand Winner title, he also took home the Most Popular Award and Best Impression Award. For him, the victory was not just his own, but belonged to the people of Sabah and Malaysia as a whole.
A trust for the next generation
For Dr Stanley, the crown he won carries a greater responsibility. He hopes to use his current platform to inspire more young people to dare to dream big and step out of their comfort zones.
“When success finally becomes yours, do not simply enjoy the view from the summit. Extend your hand to others so they can climb alongside you,” he said.
He also advised the younger generation in Sabah not to use their background as an excuse to limit their aspirations.
“Never underestimate your own abilities just because you come from a village, a small district, or a state at the edge of Malaysia’s map. Be proud of your identity and culture,” he stressed.
When asked about the legacy he wishes to leave behind, Dr Stanley did not mention trophies or titles.
“I do not want to be remembered merely as an international champion. I want to be remembered as a Sabahan who proved that one does not have to choose between career, education and dreams. We can excel in all of them if we have discipline and courage.”
The crown belongs to Stanley. The applause belongs to Sabah.
