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Free Malaysia Today
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Free Malaysia Today
Team M'sia, world stacking champs, gear up to defend their crown
Sport stacking is a global sport that's especially popular among schoolchildren. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle). KUALA LUMPUR : At first glance, it might seem like child's play – stacking plastic cups on a table? But don't be fooled. Known as sport stacking, this highly competitive and addictive sport is played by over 700,000 people in over 50 countries. What started as a trend in California in the 1980s has exploded worldwide, becoming a school-based sport. And the big surprise? Malaysia holds the No. 1 ranking as well as several world records. FMT Lifestyle witnessed the Malaysian stackers in action during their training in KL Gateway Mall. So, how does it work? This sport is all about lightning-fast hands and laser-sharp focus. The goal is simple – stack up and stack down as quickly as you can. Competitions feature various events with different cup formations, such as the 3-3-3 and 3-6-3 stacks, with the cycle event adding a more complex 1-10-1 formation. Fun fact: Stacking cups are specially designed with a hole at the bottom to optimise airflow. This Malaysian team of stackers is heading to Switzerland for the international championship on April 27. (Moganraj Villavan @ FMT Lifestyle) Chan Keng Ian of Malaysia, currently studying in the UK, holds the No. 1 global ranking in sport stacking. He's a five-time world champion and a two-time Guinness World Records holder. Together with Woo Xin Yi, Chan also set the doubles cycle world record at 5.603 seconds in 2024. Malaysia currently boasts seven national stackers ranked in the global top 20 – but it wasn't always this way. Lim Joon Tatt, president of the World Sport Stacking Association Malaysia says his team has come a long way and are skilled stackers today. (Moganraj Villavan @ FMT Lifestyle) Lim Joon Tatt, president of the World Sport Stacking Association Malaysia, spoke to FMT Lifestyle about their rollercoaster journey. 'We had very bad results in 2016, in Korea, at the Asian Championships. We sent many participants to Korea, and almost all of us failed,' he revealed. But in the years that followed, they turned the tables completely and have sustained their winning streak till today. 'After 2016, we set a target. As Malaysian stackers, we wanted to build up year by year. After three years, in 2019, we went to the Asian Championships in China, and won overall champion. We have continued this result until now.' Lim explained that he was first introduced to the sport in the US, before bringing it to Malaysia in 2007. After winning a tournament in Singapore the following year, he saw its potential and began introducing it to Malaysian schools as a co-curricular activity. More than 300 stackers from across Malaysia gathered for a national competition at i-City Mall recently. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle). 'At first, stacking had a bad image. People thought it was a magic trick, where you try to figure out which cup is hiding the object,' he shared. 'At first, only two or three schools in Malaysia accepted stacking. Many said no,' Lim recalled. However today, the sport is enjoyed by kids of all ages, including those with special needs. Brandon Low, currently ranked 20th in the world, shared how his journey with stacking began in Standard 4. 'I saw one of my classmates stacking and I got really curious about it. He introduced me to the cup stacking classes going on in our school. I joined immediately, got a stack of cups and started practising at home.' The 22-year-old also revealed: 'The starting journey was quite challenging because my parents were opposed to me stacking.' Why? 'It's quite noisy.' But his results spoke for themselves, and Low never looked back. In fact, he said that beyond the cups themselves, it's the tight-knit community of stackers that keeps him going. 'I want people to become united with a sport, and perhaps cup stacking is one of them.' With several Malaysian stackers ranked in the world's top 20, hopes are high the team will win the international championship in Switzerland on April 27. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle). Just two weeks before the 2025 World Sport Stacking Championship in Switzerland, a national competition held at i-City Mall brought together around 300 stackers from across Malaysia – from Penang to as far as Sabah. With the international championship set for April 27, Malaysia is gearing up to defend its title as reigning champion. Woo, record holder and currently the No. 3 female stacker in the world, has her sights set high. 'For this year, I'm aiming to be overall No.1 for the whole championship,' said the 18-year-old. So watch closely – the clock's ticking, the cups are ready and Malaysia's stacking for glory. Find out more at the WSSA website and follow WSSA Malaysia on Facebook.
Free Malaysia Today
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Free Malaysia Today
March into The Saints Bar for good food and heavenly live music
The Saints Bar offers a laid-back and inviting atmosphere for its guests to relax. (Moganraj Villavan @ FMT Lifestyle) KUALA LUMPUR : Many stories of saints have taken place in Biblical lands in times long past. This one, however, began in Kuala Lumpur about six years ago. Gana Nathan was having a drink with his friends Ainsley, Harish and Jerry, at the Backyard pub in Sri Hartamas one day. They were discussing the opening of a new place for drinks in the area, and were deciding on a suitable name. Play In a flash of divine intervention, they realised they were all from La Sallian schools, commonly named after saints. And that was how The Saints Bar here got its name. 'If you're looking for a chill place with good ambience and food at reasonable prices, The Saints is a great place. It's a wonderful place to catch up with old friends while meeting new ones,' Gana, an alumnus of St Xavier's Institution in Penang, told FMT Lifestyle. Since its inception, The Saints has become known by many in the area as a charming watering hole, with a warm and laid-back atmosphere perfect for unwinding after a busy day. The Saints Bar co-founder Gana Nathan hopes guests will consider this spot their cosy neighbourhood bar. (Moganraj Villavan @ FMT Lifestyle) The Lasallian spirit looms large within the venue: framed pictures of 18 La Salle institutions, from the La Salle School in Brickfields to the Sacred Heart School in Sibu, Sarawak, hang on its walls. The bar still hosts many Lasallian events and is frequently visited by many of its alumni. 'There was a Lasallian living in the US who was back here for a holiday. He heard about us on Facebook and wanted to visit. But he arrived at his hotel late,' Gana recalled. 'He called us to try his luck, and we told him we would wait for him. We ended up having a drink at midnight! That was such a nostalgic time, when two Lasallians came together.' The venue is also a heavenly place for live music: many popular and talented Malaysian musicians such as Gerard Singh, Arab & Badar, ICE & JC, The Jetliners, Wild Roses, Musique Sense, Eric & Rish, DJ Tipster, DJ Dr FUBU, Ziki and Leonard Tan have all graced the stage here over the years. AdChoices ADVERTISING 'When times are right, we have customers doing karaoke too,' Gana said with a laugh. Food highlights here include (clockwise from top) spicy onion pakoras, salt fish pickle rice, Hokkien mee, smoked duck and Margherita Supreme pizza. (Moganraj Villavan @ FMT Lifestyle) Food-wise, there's plenty to enjoy here. The mutton fried rice is popular, while the salt fish pickle fried rice is savoury and satisfying, each mouthful bursting with layers of flavour. A variety of pizzas are available, from Hawaiian Paradise to Mushroom Honey Truffle Delight, but FMT Lifestyle's pick is the Margherita Supreme, a mouth-watering mix of tomato and basil that proves the power of simplicity. Start off your meal with their sliced smoked duck – its crimson tangy sauce gives it quite a kick – or the super crispy and spicy onion pakoras which are addictive. You also can't go wrong with their delectable Hokkien mee: these thick noodles slathered in soy and oyster sauce, are definitely the best kind of comfort food. There's also plenty here for guests eager to wet their whistle. The Saints boasts a great single malt whisky collection, and don't leave without trying their signature cocktails: these blessed beverages are all named after saints. The divinely-inspired St Jean is a signature cocktail at The Saints Bar. (Moganraj Villavan @ FMT Lifestyle) Exorcise your thirst away with St Jean, a refreshing medley of gin, Cointreau, fresh lime juice, mint leaf and cucumber: you'll certainly be feeling as cool as one after a sip or two of this! Overall, you don't need to be a saint to enjoy your time here. After all, there are quite a few divine cocktails on the menu. If you're looking for a fun place to enjoy time with friends over good food and drinks, then start marching into The Saints, and be part of that number! 'I'd like to maintain The Saints as your cosy neighbourhood bar, serving what the customer enjoys. So far, I think our regulars enjoy coming here because they feel at home, and are treated well. It's a lot like 'Cheers': we all know each other here,' Gana concluded with a smile. The Saints Bar No 11, Jalan Sri Hartamas 7 Taman Sri Hartamas 50480 Kuala Lumpur Business hours: 4pm-12am (closed on Sundays) For more information, follow The Saints Bar on Instagram.
