logo
Tony Lim's viral fight sparks debate on self-defence, anger management

Tony Lim's viral fight sparks debate on self-defence, anger management

Focus Malaysia20-07-2025
IT wasn't just a fight on the streets that threw viral MMA fighter Tony Lim Zhe Hong into the limelight. It was his defense for an elderly man that made his action worthy of a Hollywood movie.
The instant fame has since befuddled Lim, who wondered about the popularity of the video. But apparently, there is a different side of him too, as seen in a recent video on X.
'A life lesson that I learned is that self defense is very important. If I don't know how to defend myself, in this situation maybe I am the one who fell to the ground,' said the 22-year old Lim in the video interview.
At one time in his life, Lim wanted to play badminton but was provoked by his friend, claiming that the sport was for transvestites. Sorry to all the badminton fans out there.
The ending is chef kiss pic.twitter.com/CP25HVl6sI
— @ (@anthraxxxx) July 18, 2025
Contrary to the brawn displayed in the video, Lim studies psychology and is a part time tuition teacher.
However, it appears his action has also attracted some haters on the cyberspace. Netizen @Alhaqim01 said they needed the story from the point of view of the Malay man who got beaten up by Lim.
Some even threatened to beat him up. According to @taro_liam, Lim was safe because the Malay man did not die on the scene.
Safe to say, the viral fight would not have occurred if the combatants were able to control their anger.
Fascinatingly, martial arts, while playing a huge role in ending the fight, would have played an even bigger role in ensuring that it did not start in the first place.
According to the website Evolve Daily, martial arts is a well-rounded practice that can effectively support anger management and guide individuals toward greater emotional balance and happiness.
While each martial arts discipline involves different movements and techniques, all styles share a physically active foundation.
Participants are required to move, sweat, and engage their bodies—activities known to help diffuse anger.
Physical exercise releases endorphins, the body's natural mood enhancers, which can improve overall emotional outlook and promote a more positive mindset.
Beyond the physical benefits, martial arts offers a unique mental focus. When individuals experience rising anger, training can help redirect their attention.
Whether sparring with a partner, executing striking combinations in a Muay Thai session, or drilling positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, practitioners must concentrate on their movements, their training partners, and the objectives of the session. This mindfulness helps calm the mind and fosters mental clarity.
In essence, martial arts provides both a physical and psychological outlet, helping practitioners process emotions constructively while building discipline, awareness, and resilience. —July 20, 2025
Main image: @anthraxxxx (X)
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Authentic Traditional Malay Cuisine Offers Health Benefits
Authentic Traditional Malay Cuisine Offers Health Benefits

Barnama

time10 hours ago

  • Barnama

Authentic Traditional Malay Cuisine Offers Health Benefits

W hile often celebrated for its rich flavours, traditional Malay cuisine—especially village-style recipes passed down through generations—also carries notable health benefits, a fact many have overlooked or forgotten. Prepared with fresh ingredients like onions, turmeric, ginger and galangal, traditional Malay dishes are known for their distinctive aroma that whets the appetite. They are typically served with ulam (raw herbs) and a variety of sambal. Often seen as labour-intensive, such dishes are now rarely served at home — especially with the growing popularity of instant seasoning products, which many homemakers use to save time. This shift risks the gradual loss of these treasured, time-honoured recipes. To preserve this culinary heritage, Restoran Dulang Tok Wan, located here, is leading the way in promoting authentic traditional Malay cuisine. According to its owner, S Zuraida Said, every dish is prepared using only fresh ingredients, with no shortcuts, to retain its original flavour and nutritional value. AUTHENTIC COOKING After gaining traction on social media, the restaurant — which opened in February last year — caught the writer's attention, leading to a visit and a meeting with Zuraida, 64. Far from an ordinary cook, Zuraida brings with her over 55 years of kitchen experience, having started helping her father in their restaurant when she was just nine. 'In the past, villagers didn't have access to modern medicine. So, they cooked with health in mind, using vegetables and herbs readily available around their homes or villages,' she shared. Preferring to be called Cik Da, she pointed to a plate of stir-fried young papaya in front of the writer. 'Back then, elders would cook young papaya to help prevent constipation,' she explained. 'When I was little, we'd eat it with salted fish and hot rice.' Admittedly, it was the writer's first time tasting stir-fried young papaya. Its tender texture, subtle spiciness, and hint of sweetness made it surprisingly appetising. 'If you cook crab in coconut milk with pineapple core, it is believed to help reduce gout and joint pain,' said Cik Da. Snails prepared in coconut milk are said to be even more nutritious when combined with sweet potatoes and pucuk manis (sweet leaf shoots), which are high in fibre and can help ease stomach discomfort. 'The combination of these ingredients supports digestion and even helps flush out fine sand particles commonly found in snails,' she explained. According to Cik Da, the main difference between modern Malay dishes and traditional ones lies in the choice of ingredients. 'Nowadays, people prefer shortcuts and avoid the hassle of preparing spices from scratch, so the authentic taste is lost. Many, especially the younger generation, have never truly tasted real traditional Malay cooking,' she said. ROYAL CUISINE According to Cik Da, every dish at the restaurant is prepared the traditional Malay way — a process that goes beyond ingredients and flavour to reflect the heritage and identity passed down through generations. She began cooking at nine years old after the passing of her mother. Born in Tasek Gelugor, Penang, and raised in Gerik, Perak, she grew up in a traditional village setting steeped in kitchen customs, culinary wisdom, and strict hygiene practices. 'I'm not just a cook — I inherited my late father's kitchen,' she shared, adding that she was fortunate to learn from Kak Hamidah, one of her father's kitchen assistants who had previously worked as a royal palace chef. 'She was in her 60s back in the 70s and taught me a great deal, especially about royal dishes and the finer points of authentic Malay cooking,' she said. Among the royal dishes served at her restaurant are Talam Diraja, Nasi Lamuni, Rendang Rusa (venison rendang), mutton curry, grilled chicken, pulut kuning, (yellow glutinous rice), and sambal hijau daun kari ( spicy green chili paste infused with curry leaves). Cik Da is generous with her knowledge. Noticing the prawns in coconut milk on the writer's table, she explained that adding mashed pumpkin to the dish helps enhance its richness while preserving the prawns' natural sweetness. 'It's even better when the prawn flavours blend perfectly with the gravy,' she added with a smile. MEDICALLY MONITORED To instil greater confidence among diners, the menu at Dulang Tok Wan is overseen by a medical doctor - Ahmad Faisal Ahmad Nazri, 33 - the youngest of Cik Da's four children. 'My son ensures that every dish we serve is nutritious and made with high-quality ingredients. We also maintain strict standards of cleanliness and halal compliance,' said the proud mother, adding that all chefs at the restaurant are local Malaysians skilled in traditional Malay cuisine. In keeping with the kampung spirit, every dish is served in vintage-style floral ceramic plates and bowls, reminiscent of those once used by grandmothers. 'All our tableware is cleaned using industrial machines to ensure proper hygiene,' she added. Keen to preserve the legacy of authentic Malay cooking, Cik Da said she is currently compiling her inherited recipes into a book. She also aspires to franchise Dulang Tok Wan, not only to promote traditional Malay cuisine on a wider scale but also to empower local entrepreneurs. AURA OF THE VILLAGE Earlier, from the moment the writer stepped into the restaurant, the tantalising aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air, stirring the senses and building anticipation for the much-hyped culinary experience promoted by social media foodies. Opting for a RM25 meal set that included snapper in spicy tamarind gravy, prawns in coconut milk, omelette, kerabu kampung (village-style salad), and a selection of raw herbs, the writer waited as the food arrived — still steaming — on a floral-patterned metal tray, instantly evoking nostalgic memories of childhood meals at their grandmother's home. Starting the meal with a spoonful of rice and snapper cooked in spicy tamarind gravy, the spiciness was balanced by a sour and slightly sweet taste — reminiscent of the classic asam pedas found in Melaka. The freshness of the kerabu kampung added a crisp, mouth-watering contrast. Each bite was complemented by ulam such as kacang botol (winged beans), cucumber, pegaga (pennywort) and daun selom (water celery), dipped in sambal belacan — delivering a deeply satisfying, authentic experience. For the writer, the RM25 meal felt more than worth it. Yet, dining at Dulang Tok Wan was about more than just food. It was a nostalgic journey back to the era of traditional wood-fire kitchens — where every dish was lovingly prepared without shortcuts or the artificial flavours of pre-mixed onion or ginger powder that may contain unknown additives.

Steady Gang's Tomato & Haoren Apologise; Cooperating With MCMC Over 'Negaraku' Controversy
Steady Gang's Tomato & Haoren Apologise; Cooperating With MCMC Over 'Negaraku' Controversy

Hype Malaysia

timea day ago

  • Hype Malaysia

Steady Gang's Tomato & Haoren Apologise; Cooperating With MCMC Over 'Negaraku' Controversy

While August is Malaysia's Independence month, it seems that there have been many issues involving our national identity. Recently, influencers and Steady Gang members Haoren (朱浩仁) and Tomato (李明鴻) found themselves in hot water for disrespecting the national anthem. For those unaware of the issue, it stemmed from a video that Haoren posted over the weekend. In the video taken at an award ceremony, the influencer, along with his Steady Gang group mate Tomato, were singing along to the national anthem, 'Negaraku'. However, their gestures and playful antics while singing the anthem sparked outrage, with many netizens calling it disrespectful. Haoren quickly deleted the video and issued an apology. Unfortunately, the apology didn't seem to fix the situation. The video also caught the attention of local politicians, who then called for authorities to investigate the influencer. At the same time, many netizens were also calling for authorities to take action against Tomato, who at this point have yet to issue an apology. A couple of days after the issue first blew up, the two media personalities took to their socials to once again apologise for the controversy. In his apology letter written in Mandarin and Malay, Tomato expressed regret over his actions. The public figure, whose real name is Lai Hong Ming, also said that he will take responsibility and learn from his mistakes. Meanwhile, Haoren's second apology, also written in Mandarin and Malay, included an explanation for why he took the video. According to the influencer, he wanted to preserve a memory of the event. Still, he had no intention of disrespecting the 'Negaraku'. Both Steady Gang members stated they're cooperating with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in its investigation. Netizens have since reacted to the two apology letters, thanking Haoren and Tomato for taking responsibility for their mistake. However, some voiced scepticism, arguing that this isn't the first time the two public figures had caused controversy. Since the MCMC investigation is still ongoing, it's unknown whether Haoren and Tomato would receive punishment for the controversy. Regardless, we hope everything goes well for them and that they will reflect on their mistakes. Sources: Instagram (1)(2)

Malaysian students bag over 20 prizes at Indonesia's Bandung Dance contest
Malaysian students bag over 20 prizes at Indonesia's Bandung Dance contest

The Star

time2 days ago

  • The Star

Malaysian students bag over 20 prizes at Indonesia's Bandung Dance contest

Students from five Malaysian schools clinched top prizes at the 3rd Bandung International Dance Competition, held Aug 8–10, in Bandung, Indonesia recently. The 45 students are from SMK Damansara Utama (SMKDU) and SK Taman Megah (SKTM) in Petaling Jaya, Selangor; SK Bukit Bandaraya in Kuala Lumpur; SK Puncak Alam in Puncak Alam, Selangor; and Sekolah Seni Malaysia Johor in Masai, Johor. The students, aged between eight and 17, participated in the traditional dance category. They performed over 20 dances from the Malay, Bajau, Cocos, Orang Ulu and Murut communities, including a few folk dances from various states in Malaysia. The spotlight shone the brightest on the magunatip dance, which took home the prestigious Grand Champion title in the Group Senior Overall category. Performed by students from SMKDU, this vibrant bamboo dance from Sabah's Murut ethnic group captivated judges with its intricate footwork and rhythmic agility. Talented dancers from SK Taman Megah proudly showcased Malaysia's rich cultural heritage at the competition. The contingent also achieved other impressive wins, securing first prizes for tarirai, tari inai, tari Orang Ulu, tari masri and joget; a gold award for tarian piring Selangor; and honourable mentions for tarian gamelan, zapin tanjung and zapin kores, patendu patende, tari tempurung and kuda kepang, among others. Over 500 participants from six countries, including Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea, Australia and Italy, participated in the competition, which attracted dancers who performed in genres such as ballet, hip hop, traditional, contemporary, jazz and K-pop. Choreographer Mamad Samsudin of ChoreoArts Studio, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, played a key role in creating the award-winning routines performed by students from SMKDU and SKTM. 'Each dance tells a story that reflects our culture's depth and beauty,' says Mamad. Photo: Mamad Samsudin He selected more challenging routines for the competition, anticipating strong contenders from across various countries. "Knowing the level of talent from different countries, I pushed myself and the students to take on more challenging routines. It was important to raise our standards and showcase the depth and richness of Malaysian dance on the international stage. "Magunatip is more than just a dance - it's a vibrant expression of the Murut community's spirit. I knew its unique rhythm and the skillful footwork between the bamboo poles would captivate the judges. Its combination of tradition and dynamic energy made me confident it could stand out and win," said Mamad, 36, in a phone interview from Jakarta. The group arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang last night. Mamad added that the students had been rehearsing two to three times a week for the past three months. SK Taman Megah teacher Darlina A. Razak, who accompanied the students to the competition, said she did not expect Malaysia to win so many awards due to the stiff competition. However, the team's diverse presentation of traditional dances from all over the country made the difference. "With so many talented dancers from different countries, I wasn't sure how we would fare. But by presenting a wide range of traditional Malaysian dances, we managed to stand out. "The highlight was definitely the magunatip, which captured the spirit and skill of our culture beautifully. I am proud that we could showcase Malaysia's rich heritage on an international stage," said Darlina.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store