Bar None

Former national tennis player Adam Jaya joins us on the show to talk about what it's like to be a professional tennis player, and the challenges that he had to go through in order to be competitive in the scene. He also addresses the elephant in the room - the rising popularity of pickleball and padel and whether it'll affect tennis' long-standing legacy. In our Peak Performance segment, he walks us through his training routine back when he was competing, and shares some tips for beginners looking to start playing tennis. Photo Source: Igor Link / Shutterstock.com

In this episode of Bar None, we look at how athletes train in the field of track cycling and powerlifting. John Beasley, the technical director of the Malaysian National Cycling Federation breaks down how our track cyclists train, including the different phases and modalities they go through. Then, Kenneth Kaden Chin the deputy president of the Malaysian Association for Powerlifting shares his own routine and the kind of lifts that he does beyond his main lifts. Photo Source: Abdul Razak Latif / Shutterstock.com & Dusan Petkovic / Shutterstock.com

Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) is a sport that challenges you on all fronts and one that's pretty popular among those who seek variety in their fitness endeavor. Reality TV shows like Ninja Warrior and Sasuke have increased its visibility to a wider audience, while organisations like Spartan Race and Viper Challenge have elevated OCR's visibility and participation here. Joining us on the show to unpack the appeal of the sport is Andrew Chiu, the Secretary General of the Malaysia Obstacle Race Sports Association (MORSA). He also shares MORSA's attempt at creating a more accessible IP called Pahlawan Malaysia for the Malaysian audience, as well as how OCR is different from fitness races, despite being governed under the same association. Photo Source: hurricanehank / Shutterstock.com

Despite being an active person, Kenneth Kaden Chin has never thought to lift heavy weights competitively until he stumbled upon a powerlifting competition at a local mall. Buoyed by the positivity shown by the crowd that's very supportive to all the participants, he decided to give the sport a try. Now, he's a powerlifting champion and the deputy president of the Malaysian Association for Powerlifting. Kenneth shares his journey in the sport and talks about the powerlifting scene in Malaysia, their trajectory moving forward and how the sport is not all about setting your best personal records. Photo Source: Kenneth Kaden Chin

Cheri-Lee Atkinson, an Executive Committee member of New Zealand Football, joins Bar None to share how her country is planning to develop football, a sport that has a high participation rate among the community members, to one that can rival the All Blacks in its competitiveness and international stature. She also shares how New Zealand manages football at the grassroots level and the pathways available for young athletes to grow there. Photo Source: Photos BrianScantlebury / Shutterstock.com

John Beasley, dubbed the “Father of Malaysian Track Cycling”, is a name that's pretty synonymous with the cycling world here in Malaysia, producing talents such as Datuk Azizulhasni Awang, Fatehah Mustapa, Shah Firdaus Sahrom and Nurul Izzah Izzati. After coaching the track cycling team for 18 years, he has now moved upstairs to become the technical director of the Malaysian National Cycling Federation, tasked with the job to not only oversee other disciplines, but to also propel the Malaysian cycling scene to greater heights. He joins us to respond to the news of Datuk Azizulhasni's plan to continue cycling, as well as share what his plans are for the local cycling fraternity moving forward. Photo Source: Hafiz Johari / Shutterstock.com

It's been a busy past few weeks in the world of Malaysian badminton. Last weekend, Aaron Chia & Soh Wooi Yik ended Malaysia's 18-year drought at the Badminton Asia Championships with a resounding win in their category. That was a sweet moment to somehow get the squad in a good mood ahead of the upcoming Sudirman Cup. But the pain the national squad suffered at the All-England and other European tournaments last month means that there is still work to be done for the team. BAM has promised shake ups, and the immediate one we saw was the splitting up of our mixed doubles pair, Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, though that didn't last very long, as they are now reunited again. Sports journalist Fabian Mark Peter joins the show to help make sense of what's been happening in the local circuit these past few weeks, including speculating on the future of Pearly Tan & M. Thinaah, and many more. In our Peak Performance segment, former national cyclist Edwin Ng shares some tips on how to start cycling, and what gear and equipment you should have when starting out. Photo Source: Saif71.com / pexels.com

For Edwin Ng, growing up as the son of the former national cyclist Datuk Ng Joo Ngan is a blessing that he took full advantage of. Inspired by his dad's exploits, he started cycling with the same ambition and goals. While his career did not have the longevity that he wanted, his love for cycling remains, and these days, he continues his contributions to the cycling community via other means - from organising classes for children to learn the importance of safety, to teaching budding cyclists the right equipment to use for their rides. He joins us to share his story. Photo Source: Edwin Ng

Jazeman Jaafar, a name that's synonymous with the Malaysian racing circuit, clinched another victory recently. Jazeman and his team, 33R Harmony Racing came first at the 12 Hours of Sepang endurance race, ticking another box in a career that's been pretty fulfilling and all-encompassing, ever since he started racing at the age of 6. He joins us on the show to share what that victory meant to him, how he achieved it, and the appeal of endurance racing, compared to other disciplines.

Harimau Malaya got off to a winning start in the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifier, with a comfortable 2-0 win against Nepal. New head coach Peter Cklamovski did not waste time to stamp his authority, playing with three at the back, and showcasing a playing style that's fast and energetic. Sports journalist from The Star, T. Avineshwaran joins us on the show to share his thoughts on the match, and what he made of Cklamovski's tactics, team selection, and coaching setup. Later on the show, we also discuss the latest developments in the Malaysia Super League, including the status and future of Kedah and Sri Pahang, as well as the potential fallout from the scrapping of the MFL Cup and how it'll affect clubs and their young players. Image Source: Free Malaysia Today

National water ski athlete, Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah joins Bar None on the back of her recent success at the IWWF University World Championships in New Zealand. In a dominant display, Aaliyah bagged three gold medals in women's jump, tricks, and the overall category. We catch up with Aaliyah to hear what life is like these days as both a student and an athlete and how she balances them. Malaysian racing driver, Jazeman Jaafar then joins us on our Peak Performance segment to talk about how rookie drivers cope with the pressure of performing at the highest level, and why, at the end of the day, despite all the hype, they're all human and should be viewed as such. Photo Source: Hanifah Yoong Yin Fah

National track cyclist, Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri continues her upward trajectory in her sport, with fantastic performances at the recent Asian Track Cycling Championships held in Nilai, Malaysia. She bagged four medals (two golds, one silver and one bronze), breaking national and Asian records along the way. Izzah joins us on the show to share what it's like to beat her idol at the tournament, her training regime, and how she handles the pressure of being one of Malaysia's rising stars. For fitness enthusiasts out there looking to continue their routine during this fasting month, how should you exercise safely and properly without stretching yourself thin? Consultant sports medicine physician Dr. Arvin Raj also joins us on the show to share some tips and the right way to approach fitness during this holy month. Photo Credit: ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA Images

Malaysian football is on the brink of a new chapter in 2025, with sweeping changes across key leadership roles. A new head coach, a newly appointed CEO, and an incoming president signal what feels like a complete reset for the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM). Leading the charge off the pitch is Rob Friend, the Canadian CEO whose expertise in football technology promises to modernize the organization. On the sidelines, Australian coach Peter Cklamovski, celebrated for his high-intensity, pressing tactics, is set to bring fresh energy to the team. Meanwhile, Nafuzi Zain takes on the vital role of U23 head coach, tasked with cultivating the nation's next generation of football talent. Equally significant is the upcoming FAM presidential election. After six years at the helm, Tan Sri Hamidin Amin is stepping down, paving the way for new leadership that could shape the future of Malaysian football for years to come. Is this the long-awaited turning point for Malaysian football, or will it be another chapter of unrealized potential?   Photo Credit: Harian Metro

No doubt, streaming platforms have revolutionized the way we consume entertainment—whether it's movies or TV series. Now, these platforms are setting their sights on live sports broadcasting, investing heavily to claim a piece of this lucrative market which always has been traditional TV's stronghold. This shift traces back to the early 2010s, when platforms like YouTube and ESPN dabbled in live streaming. However, the real game-changer came with the rise of subscription-based giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. A recent example? Netflix's landmark deal to stream World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) content for a staggering $5 billion over the next decade.So, why are streaming platforms pouring billions into live sports? Is this the natural evolution of sports broadcasting—or could it signal the death of cable and terrestrial TV as we know it?Joining us this week is resident tech guru Matt Armitage, and we're kicking off a deep dive into how streaming is reshaping the sports industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode we're joined by Malaysia's very own speed queen, Leona Chin — a trailblazing motorsports athlete and a name synonymous with adrenaline-fueled action. Late last year, Leona made waves by clinching the top spot at the 2024 China Circuit Sprint Challenge (CCSC) BMW M235i Cup, a triumph made even more special as she stood as the only female racer on the track. This hard-earned victory not only highlighted her talent but also marked a milestone in her career: her first-ever championship win in the fiercely competitive, high-octane series. Shortly after her groundbreaking victory, she also realized a lifelong dream by competing at the legendary Guia Circuit during the Macau Grand Prix — an event often dubbed the “World Cup of Motorsports.” Facing such elite contenders, Leona delivered an outstanding performance, securing an impressive 15th-place finish in the GT4 race.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a momentous year in Malaysian sports nears to a close, we look back at some of the biggest sporting stories that happened this year. We revisit Sivasangari Subramaniam's historic win at the London Squash Classic that marked the first time a Malaysian had won a gold-level PSA tournament since Datuk Nicol David in 2015, the horrific attacks on footballers Faisal Halim and Akhyar Rashid that shook Malaysian football, Malaysia's bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games that drew mixed reactions and heated debates, the thrilling bronze medal matches fought by national shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Lee Zii Jia at the Paris Olympics, and the performance report card of the Malaysian contingent at the world's biggest games.Click to listen to the full podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of That's A Sport, we shine a spotlight on World Chase Tag, the first and only global league for competitive parkour tag- an exhilarating fusion of skill, strategy, and athleticism inspired by the game of cops and robbers. Drawing some of the world's best parkour athletes, the sport sees two teams battling it out in an obstacle-filled arena called The Quad in an intense game of speed and agility where athletes race against the clock with one goal in mind: Don't get caught!We speak to one of the founding members of the sport, Christian Devaux, to discover how World Chase Tag has transformed one of the oldest games in the world into the fast-paced, high-octane viral worldwide phenomenon it is today.That's A Sport is a monthly series where we look to explore and discover some lesser known sports from around the globe.Photo credit: World Chase TagSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we're joined by young dance-sport athlete Cherry Yeo, who recently made history as Malaysia's first champion at the World DanceSport Federation's World Cup Solo Latin. The 19 year old shares her inspiring journey as a hobbyist to competitive dancer, highlighting her recent victories in Serbia and Spain. She also breaks down the challenges she faces and her dedication to mentoring younger dancers in the future.Photo Credit: Cherry Yeo on FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fast-growing global padel phenomenon has hit Malaysia in full force as the racket sport ramps up in the region. With a team headed by former national squash player Delia Arnold, team manager and Joy Divison Padel's Rajay Singh and Maurice Noone have set their sights on a Malaysian team taking the sport by storm on the world stage as it's on track to be included in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. We get a look behind the scenes into Malaysia's first competitive padel team – fresh off finishing fourth at their first outing at the inaugural Asia Pacific Padel Cup 2024 – to find out what it's taking to develop the sport locally, padel in the region, and where they hope to take the team in the future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The LPGA Maybank Championship is set to take place this week, running from October 24th to 27th at the prestigious Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC). Defending champion Celine Boutier, who triumphed in a thrilling nine-hole playoff last year, leads the field. She'll be joined by top contenders like Lilia Vu and Yin Ruoning, all vying for the $3 million purse.One of the golfers representing Malaysia is 23-year-old Liyana Durisic, a newly-minted professional golfer eager to make her mark. After qualifying through the inaugural ASEAN Qualifier, this will be her second LPGA Tour appearance, following her debut as an amateur at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia in 2017. Liyana joins us on the program this week as we dive into her journey from amateur to professional, and discuss her role in growing women's golf in Malaysia and the region.Photo Credit: Iowa State University AthleticsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dutch wingback Mats Deijl's eligibility for the Malaysian national football team sparked considerable excitement among local football authorities and fans, especially after the FAM president hinted at Go Ahead Eagles captain's potential as the latest naturalised player. Despite FIFA's strict and well-defined regulations, FAM pressed forward with their pursuit of Deijl, raising concerns about the association's recruitment strategy and its impact on future player naturalisation efforts. In the end, their attempt fell short, leaving FAM facing criticism. We dissected the issue with T.Avinesh.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of That's A Sport, we dive into the world of Competitive Excel, where spreadsheet enthusiasts showcase their creativity, speed, and problem-solving skills through nail-biting timed challenges of complex data problems - all using the world's best puzzle-solving tool.Today, the Microsoft Excel World Championships is quickly becoming the next big thing in esports, bringing together the world's foremost Excel experts to battle it out head-to-head in spectator-friendly showdowns in packed arenas and watched by millions online. Andrew Grigolyunovich, founder and CEO of the Financial Modelling World Cup, takes us behind the scenes of the spreadsheet spectacle.That's A Sport is a monthly series where we look to explore and discover some lesser known sport around the globe. Photo credit: Robert McMillan/The Wall Street JournalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National women's doubles shuttlers Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan celebrated Malaysia Day as they made history with their win at last weekend's Hong Kong Open as the first Malaysian women's pair to win the Super 500 tournament in its 42-year history. Their 37-minute defeat of world No. 3 pair Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning ended their two-year drought and four-match losing streak to their Chinese opponents, and secured the duo their first title since the 2022 French Open - the third World Tour title under their belt since pairing up in 2021. Journalist Fabian Mark Peter breaks down their spectacular performance, examines their careers so far and post-Olympics, and what we can expect from the pair at this week's China Open and on their road to the finals.Photo credit: BadmintonphotoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode, we shine the spotlight on an innovative martial art created in 2020. Car-Jitsu combines Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) with the unique constraints of a car's interior, where fighters use seats, steering wheels, seat belts, and mirrors as tools for submission. Designed as a fun experiment to push BJJ's boundaries, it has since gained viral attention online for its unorthodox and exciting nature. We dive into the sport's origins with its founder, Vik Mikheev.That's A Sport is a brand new monthly series where we look to explore and discover some lesser known sport around the globe.Photo Credit: CarJitsu ChampionshipSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the dust settles on Paris 2024, Malaysia is celebrating the two bronze medals under our belt and lamenting the near misses at the podium, in what has been a tumultuous Olympics journey for our athletes and the nation. In our post-Games report card, we review the performance of the Malaysian contingent at the world's biggest games and get into what the failed gold medal target will mean for our athletes now and looking forward at Los Angeles 2028.Photo credit: BERNAMASee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Badminton at the Paris Olympics has kept the nation on the edge of its seat this week, as we witnessed nail-biting bronze medal matches that clinched two highly-anticipated medals for Malaysia's medal tally, with Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik defending their Tokyo 2020 bronze title in the men's doubles after wrestling back four match points in a tight second set and forcing an even closer rubber game, and Lee Zii Jia's hard fought victory against India's Lakshya Sen in a much-needed second wind that showed us all why he's one of the country's best.Keeshaanan Sundaresan joins us on the show to break down the action on the court and what this means for Malaysian badminton come Los Angeles 2028.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All eyes are on Malaysia's shuttlers - the country's biggest prospects to bring home that elusive gold medal - as the fight for the podium heats up in Paris. They've proven their mettle against the stacked competition so far in the group stage; with a victorious start from Lee Zii Jia, men's doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik quickly securing their quarter-final slot, mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei making their presence known in the group stage, duo Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan smashing their way through the notorious "group of death", and a remarkable comeback and Olympic debut from singles shuttler Goh Jin Wei as she vies for her own spot in a fast-intensifying quarter-final.Journalist Fabian Mark Peter breaks down their performances so far, sizes up the competition our shuttlers will be facing as they enter the quarter finals, and gives us his take on their medal prospects and what we can expect to see on the courts of La Chapelle Arena.Photo credit: AFPSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"I doubt it" says Twentytwo13's Haresh Deol as this week on the program, we preview the Paris Olympics set to kick off this weekend. Team Malaysia's 26-strong roster - the smallest contingent since Athens 2004 - is a mix of experienced Olympians & athletes making their maiden appearance. It's been an eventful lead-up to the Games so far for our nation's athletes, marred with qualification uncertainties, uniform design woes, and lofty medal targets - will Paris 2024 be the main event or a stepping stone to our long-term LA 2028 prospects? Haresh gives us a rundown of what our athletes are up against, their chances at the podium, and what we can expect to see at the 33rd edition of the world's biggest games.Photo Credits: AFPSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In recent days, KL City FC's captain, Paulo Josué, has highlighted the issue of unpaid salaries within the team, criticising the club's management for their lack of transparency. Despite potential risks, he disclosed his own seven-month salary delay and the financial difficulties faced by his teammates and staff. As the new season is well underway, Malaysian football still grapples with an age-old issue on salary disputes. The FA of Malaysia (FAM) and Malaysian Football League (MFL) now may face repercussions from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) if these issues persist. Sports journalist T. Avinesh joins us to discuss these ongoing challenges.Photo credit: HAIRUL ANUAR RAHIMSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of our Road To Paris series where we shine a spotlight on a Malaysian contingent heading to the upcoming Summer Olympics, all eyes are on 24-year-old Malaysian professional golfer Ashley Lau. Starting her career on the University of Michigan All-American women's team, Ashley qualified for the Epson Tour and the Race for The Card to play in the LPGA before being the 22nd Malaysian athlete to qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics. From being the first Sarawakian woman to turn professional here in Malaysia to beating out former world No.1 South Korea's Shin Ji Yai by one stroke, Ashley joins us here this episode to share about her career journey and experiences, along with her goals for the future.Photo credit: Epson TourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, national bowler Sin Li Jane carved her name into sporting folklore by triumphing at the US Women's Open in Indianapolis, becoming the first Malaysian and only the second Asian to claim this illustrious title. A revered luminary in the bowling community, before this historic feat, she has accumulated a treasure trove of medals from the Asian Games and World Championships, establishing her as one of the country's best athletes. After a significant five-year hiatus from the PWBA tour, she made a sensational return this season 2024 - so far winning three titles & her very first major in the US Women's Open. She's currently ear-marked to win the PWBA Player of the Year award. In this episode, she shares her reflections on this historic victory, her inspiring return to the tour, and the profound impact her success is having on aspiring athletes in Malaysia.Photo credit: PWBA TOURSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On our Road To Paris series, we're shining a spotlight on the Malaysian contingent heading to the upcoming Summer Olympics. This week, we hear from 22-year-old weightlifter Aniq Kasdan - reigning Commonwealth Games gold medalist, current national record holder, and ranked eighth in the world in the Men's 61kg category - as he prepares for his maiden Games. We find out about his weightlifting journey so far, how he's training to break that 300kg mark for his shot at the podium in Paris, and carrying the weight of the sport on his shoulders.Photo credit: BernamaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In March, it was reported that Formula E's return to Malaysia was in its advanced stage with a proposal between Sports Tech Holdings and Formula E - which aimed for Malaysia to host the season finale until 2030. A move that would potentially boost the economy by RM6.73 billion over the decade, creating over 10,000 jobs.However, the plan fell through due to high costs and financial demands from Formula E. Now, Thailand has emerged as the prime candidate to host the season finale. Was this a missed opportunity for Malaysia or simply a futile effort?Joining us on the program to discuss this further is Twentytwo13's Haresh Deol.Photo credit: cjmac / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jombola, a homegrown sport developed in 2006, was designed to be versatile. The unique game combines the skills of tennis, squash, and ping pong and the points system of badminton to create a sport anybody can play - all you need to start exercising is pick up the racquet. Founded by Sukdev Singh, the sport utilises the badminton courts already found in schools, playgrounds, and parks, and features a specially designed racquet and foam ball that players can slow down or speed up to suit their playing style.That's A Sport is a monthly series where we explore and discover lesser known sports from around the globe.Photo credit: Jombola | FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After two decades in diving, national athlete Wendy Ng Yan Yee announced her retirement from top-level competition just last month. Wendy began as a rhythmic gymnast before being recruited into the national diving team at the age of 13. Excelling in the sport, her last competition was at the World Championships in Doha in February, a final qualifying event for the upcoming Paris Olympics. Unfortunately, she did not qualify for the women's 3-metre springboard solo and synchronized events, missing the chance to compete in her fourth consecutive Olympics. Shortly after, she announced her retirement and hinted at a possible future in coaching. Throughout her career, she has under her belt eight gold and seven silver medals across the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and SEA Games, as well as representing Malaysia in three Olympic Games. Photo credit: BERNAMASee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent incidents involving two national team players, Akhyar Rashid and Faisal Halim, have shocked the football community, with Akhyar being robbed and sustaining injuries, while Faisal suffered severe burns in an acid attack. This has raised concerns on safety just before the Super League - which is set to start this weekend. Speculation has been rife on social media regarding whether these assaults were random or targeted prompting discussions on personal security measures like bodyguards. Sportswriter T Anivesh joins us, as we dissect.Photo credit: Facebook/Selangor FC | FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a five month break anticipation mounts as the Malaysian Super League prepares to resume action this weekend with the highly anticipated clash in the Piala Sumbangsih (Charity Shield) featuring perennial contenders Johor Darul Takzim against Selangor. JDT's decade-long dominance, poised to potentially secure an impressive 11th consecutive league title - adds a layer of familiarity to the proceedings - however significant changes loom on the horizon with the introduction of Video Assistant Referees (VAR) and Financial Fair Play (FFP).Photo credit: Facebook/Malaysian Football LeagueSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the second episode of our Road To Paris series, where we're shining a spotlight on the Malaysian contingent heading to the upcoming Summer Olympics, we set our sights on national shooter Johnathan Wong. As he prepares to compete in the Men's 10m air pistol event for his sophomore Games, having previously competed in 2016 in Rio, he speaks to us about his almost-20-year career, the impact of facility woes on Malaysian shooters' training, his aspirations for himself and the sport in the country, and how he'll be shooting his shot at the podium this July.Photo credit: Johnathan Wong (@johnnywg92) / XSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we dive into the electrifying realm of street luge, a pulse-pounding sport that marries the edgy vibes of the X-Games with the rebellious spirit of skateboarding. Picture this: athletes laying flat on custom luge boards, racing down sleek, paved tracks at mind-blowing speeds that can eclipse 100 km/h. A heart-stopping fusion of skateboarding, sledding, and sheer bravery.Born in the free-wheeling '70s, street luge exploded onto the scene when visionary skateboarders discovered that going horizontal could supercharge their velocity, and by the mid '90s, it had become a headline act in extreme sports arenas, with the Street Luge World Cup and the X-Games.Meet Abdil Mahdzan who's been tearing up the international circuit for 26 years. He made his mark in 1998 while studying in the US and has since clinched the world title seven times, putting Malaysia firmly on the street luge map.Photo credit: Miko Montifar Photography via Abdil Mahdzan | FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

History was made in the past day or so, an achievement that marks a significant milestone not only for national athlete Sivasangari Subramaniam but also for Malaysian squash. In the inaugural London Classic Squash event, defying all expectations, Sivasangari made history by clinching the title, defeating world number two Hania El Hammamy of Egypt in the final match. Ranked 13th globally at the time, she had to overcome formidable opponents including the world number one and number four on her path to victory.It's been nearly a decade since a Malaysian claimed the title at a gold-level PSA tournament, last achieved by Datuk Nicol David in 2015. To delve deeper into this remarkable feat, we are joined on the program by former professional squash player and vice-president of SRAM, Sharon Wee.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our Road to Paris series, we cast a look at the Malaysian contingent heading to the upcoming Summer Olympics. In our first episode, we shine a spotlight on diver Bertrand Rhodict Lises as he sets off for his first ever Games after being the first Malaysian athlete to secure his spot at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships. He joins us to discuss his diving career, how he's preparing for Paris 2024, his aspirations beyond the Olympics, and his hopes as part of the next generation of Malaysian diving.Photo credit: REUTERS/Stefan WermuthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia has been offered the opportunity to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games by the Commonwealth Games Federation. The announcement has drawn mixed reactions from both the public and sports associations as we await Cabinet's decision on whether we'll be hosting the 23rd edition of the Games. We speak to Twentytwo13's Haresh Deol to discuss the potential benefits of hosting the Games or whether it's squandering resources.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do you get when you combine football, volleyball, gymnastics, sepak takraw, a trampoline, and Bossa nova music? Invented by Filip Eyckmans in Spain in 2005, Bossaball is a one-of-a-kind sport that aims to combine sports, music, and positive vibrations. Played on an inflatable court with a trampoline on each side of the net, two teams of four players aim to ground the ball on the opponent's field using either volleyball or soccer touches, all while keeping creativity and changes in gravity in mind. With players striking the ball from extreme heights, overhead kicks, and dramatic dives, Bossaball games are a unique balance of athletic competition and performance sport where body movements flow harmoniously to the rhythm set by the game's samba referee- a referee, MC, DJ, and percussionist all at once.We speak to Filip about developing the unique sport into an international phenomenon, taking it worldwide, its presence in the region, and the sport's future.Photo credit: Bossaball InternationalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The spotlight has fallen on Malaysia's shuttlers following their failure to clinch the Badminton Asia Team Championship (BATC) titles earlier this month. With criticisms of the players' performances mounting up from the likes of Rexy Maniaky, coaching director of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), and Malaysian badminton great Lee Chong Wei, who claimed "drastic changes have to be made" so the sport doesn't get "left far behind", the aftermath of the competition has left concerns over the Malaysian team, especially with the Paris Olympics drawing nearer.Sports journalist Fabian Mark Peter gives us a lay of the land on and off the court, whether or not it really is time to "give up on Malaysian badminton", and gives us a look ahead at the upcoming Thomas Cup and Paris Olympics.Photo credit: Amir KhalidSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the first time in its 34-year history, The Asian Classic Powerlifting Championship 2023 was held in Malaysia on 10th-18th December 2023. With over 453 athletes from 27 countries across the Asian continent participating, the event saw the Malaysian men's team come in third, with the women's team in fourth place.We take a look behind the curtain of the inaugural event, the overall performance of the Malaysian team, and what we can look forward to in the country's powerlifting scene in 2024 and beyond. Dato' Dayalan Jeevan, President of the Malaysian Association For Powerlifting, tells us.Photo credit: Facebook | Asian Powerlifting Federation - APFSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Harimau Malaya may have been knocked out from the Asian Cup in Qatar, but Kim Pan Gon's men made it a memorable exit by securing a thrilling 3-3 draw against football giants South Korea. This marked Malaysia's first point in the tournament since the 1980 edition with Faisal Halim's goal in this tie ended the country's 39-year goal drought against the Koreans, who are ranked over 100 spots higher than Malaysia in the FIFA rankings. In this episode, we are joined by Keeshanan Sunderasan to discuss this weekend's result, a draw that felt like a win.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the appointment of Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar as Malaysia's new king, our second story in this week focuses on the rise of Johor Darul Takzim, the most dominant club in the super league for over a decade.The Southern Tigers have not only left a significant impact domestically but have also emerged as a formidable presence in the region. One of the biggest milestones was becoming the first Southeast Asian team to lift the AFC Cup in 2015. Joining us in this episode is Keeshaanan Sundaresan, as we start by delving into the early origins of the club.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the program, we are joined by R Sharmendran who holds the record as the most successful karate practitioner in the SEA Games, securing the gold medal four times consecutively, with the latest triumph occurring in Phnom Penh last year. After a 12-year career at the pinnacle of this martial art, R Sharmendran, aged 31, decided to retire from active competition last month.The possibility of Sharmendran taking on a coaching role in the national setup remains uncertain, however over the course of nine years,he underwent six major surgeries, with the most recent being an ACL surgery on his left knee. This injury was sustained during a training camp in Egypt in June last year, compelling him to miss major competitions & world meets.Image Credit: Berita HarianSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a 42-year long years, Harimau Malaya has finally qualified for the Asian Cup based on merit, with all attention being on Qatar in the coming weeks as the national squad aims to make a significant impact in the competition for football supremacy in the region. As the third-lowest-ranked nation, just behind Hong Kong and Indonesia, the national squad enters the tournament as underdogs. In the groups, Kim Pan Gon will lead the team against difficult opposition in the form of Jordan, Bahrain, and two-time champions South Korea.Since taking over in 2022, head coach Kim Pan Gon has played a central role in the revitalization of Malaysian football. The team's FIFA rankings have surged, climbing 15 places in the calendar year to 130th in the world, making Malaysia the most improved Asian country in 2023. With anticipation brewing, this week on the program we are joined by sports journalist T Avinesh as we preview & predict Malaysia's chances in Doha.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Conceived by Dutch artist Iepe Rubingh in 2003, chessboxing, as its name implies, is an improbable fusion of chess and boxing. This unique sport challenges participants to alternate between rounds of chess and boxing, putting both their mental acuity and physical endurance to the test. While strategically manoeuvring chess pieces on the board, players must simultaneously muster the strength and agility needed to engage in boxing matches. With its groundbreaking blend of intellect and athleticism, chessboxing has evolved into a captivating spectacle, drawing enthusiasts from the chess and boxing communities and pushing the boundaries of traditional sports.Joining us to shed more light on this intriguing sport is Montu Das, the current president of the World Chess Boxing Organisation and the founder of Chessboxing India.That's A Sport is a monthly series where we look to explore and discover some lesser known sport around the globe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode, we're joined by our new bowling world champion 27-year-old Natasha Roslan who she recently etched her name in bowling history by securing her first-ever singles world championship and an individual gold at the IBF World Championships in Kuwait. In a thrilling best-of-three format, Natasha emerged victorious over her compatriot Sin Li Jane with a 2-1 score.This triumph in the Middle East brings an end to Malaysia's 12-year title drought, dating back to 2011. The last time a Malaysian claimed victory in the singles category was in 2011 when Jacqueline Sijore won the women's singles gold medal in Hong Kong, after Esther Cheah's win in 2005.N atasha now joins the ranks of elite Malaysian women who have seized the global championship, marking her second gold at the world meet. Previously, she was a crucial part of the team that secured the team gold in Las Vegas in 2017.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.