#1: Silambam, the ancient Dravidian martial art featuring bamboo sticks
In December 2024, the Malaysian Silambam team made history. Competing under the Malaysia Silambam Association (Persatuan Silambam Malaysia), they secured 12 gold medals at the Asian Open Silambam Championship in Qatar—doubling their initial target of six golds and emerging as the overall champions.[1][2]
Six team members from Penang, competing in their first international championship, won two gold medals each in the individual artistic staff spinning (thanithiramai) and combat (poruthal) categories. Their remarkable performance dethroned the previously undefeated Indian team, a significant achievement for this ancient and culturally rich martial art[1].
Silambam, meaning “staff from the hills,” traces its origins to Tamil Nadu, India, with references dating back to the 2nd century BCE. This martial art blends fierce and fluid movements with 16 distinct footwork patterns and an array of weapons, including bamboo staffs, swords, and knives. In the hands of a skilled practitioner, the bamboo staff can produce sharp, thunderous sounds that captivate audiences.
Beyond combat, Silambam embodies Tamil cultural heritage and reflects the evolution of martial techniques across Southeast Asia. It is also believed to promote physical and mental harmony, incorporating principles from Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine[3].
As a girl, I have to feel safe, and I learnt martial arts to protect myself outside. I chose silambam because it’s such a sacred martial art. – Dharnisha Balaguru, Silambam team member[4]
Although the Malaysia Silambam Association claims Silambam as the world’s oldest form of self-defence, its formal teaching in Malaysia began only in the 1920s. Tamil workers introduced the art to colonial Malaya as early as the 14th century, but it gained wider popularity during World War II, especially in Kuala Selangor, Kapar, and Klang. Due to British colonial restrictions, practitioners often trained in secret within the jungles, a practice that mirrored the situation in 18th- and 19th-century India.
In 1977, the Malaysia Silambam Association was officially registered, thanks to the efforts of Datuk V.L. Kandan, then Youth Chief of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), and with the support of the late Grandmaster S. Arumugam[5].
Since the 1990s, the number of Silambam practitioners has grown from 3,000 to over 20,000 today. The Association now has 13 State Affiliates and three in the Federal Territories[4].
I believe that martial arts will play a big role in cultivating discipline among our community especially knowing the problems faced by this community, I believe that Silambam can be a game-changer for the whole community. – Suraess Muthusamy, President of the Malaysia Silambam Association[4].
#2: Silat, the national martial art of Malaysia
This martial art, inspired by defensive and offensive movements observed in animals such as the crane and the monkey – blends combat with cultural performances accompanied by traditional music.
Practised across the Nusantara region of Southeast Asia, Silat is especially prominent in Malaysia, southern Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, southern Philippines, and southern Vietnam[6].
Although both Malaysia and Indonesia claim Silat as their national heritage, its influence extends far beyond Southeast Asia. Recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage in 2019, Silat is now practised globally across Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America – a testament to its enduring cultural significance.
A major milestone for Silat occurred during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, where Pencak Silat was showcased in an exhibition. This marks a promising step toward its potential inclusion as a competitive category in future Olympic Games.
Silat’s movements range from soft to hard, reflecting the philosophy of “dalam lembut ada keras, dalam keras ada lembut” (in soft movements there is also hardness, in hard movements there is also softness[6].
Inspired by nature and animalistic motions, its styles reflect the world around us over 150 known styles in Malaysia alone are named after animals and plants[7].
Although often associated exclusively with Malay identity due to its ties to Islamic philosophy, Silat has a much broader cultural history. Its roots trace back to the Langkasuka Kingdom in the Malay Peninsula, which existed from the 2nd to the 15th century CE, reflecting Hindu-Buddhist influences before the spread of Islam[7].
In December 2024, soldier and former taekwondo practitioner V. Thamaraj made history as the first Indian-Malaysian to become a world champion in Pencak Silat. At the 20th World Silat Championships in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), he defeated Uzbekistan’s Khudoyberdiev Diyobek in the men’s open category 2 final[8].
I’ve always dreamed of winning a gold medal, and I achieved it with the help and support of my family, the Malaysia National Silat Federation (Pesaka), the National Sports Council and the National Sports Institute. – V. Thamaraj, Silat World Champion 2024[8]
Thamaraj previously won the national championship in 2022 and earned two silver medals at the Asian Championships in 2023 and 2024[8].
Following Malaysia’s independence, Silat became officially recognised under the National Heritage Act of Malaysia[9].
To promote it further, Pesaka was established in 1983 by four founding masters, each focusing on a distinct style: Silat Seni Gayong which was founded by Datuk Meor Abdul Rahman Meor Hashim; Seni Silat Cekak by Ustaz Hanafi Haji Ahmad; Seni Silat Lincah by Datuk Omardin Mauju; and Seni Gayung Fatani by guru Anwar Wahab.
#3: Kabbadi, a beefed-up version of tag rooted in tradition
Kabaddi, a traditional South Asian sport with strong ties to India in particular is the second most popular sport in India after cricket, the national sport of Bangladesh, and a growing source of excitement in Malaysia, with the men’s Malaysian team making their mark at the 2023 Asian Games where they managed to finish in fifth place, beating the 2018 Asian Games silver medallists South Korea[10].
In 2024, the women’s Kabbadi team bagged the first-ever gold medal won by any Malaysian Kabbadi team on an international level during the Indonesia Open International Kabaddi Championship[11], showcasing Malaysia’s increasing finesse and dedication towards this highly vigorous and combative sport.
With a 4000-year-long, give or take, history, this traditional sport is one of the oldest in the world still being played with much passion and fanfare.
Despite its long history, it only became a medal sport at the Asian Games in 1990.
In Malaysia, Kabaddi only started gaining momentum and national recognition in 2000, with the Malaysian Kabaddi team representing the country in the Asian Games every year since 2010.
According to team manager Padmanathan Engaittraman, Kabaddi made its way to Malaysia through the South of India.
The people who came to Malaysia as workers during British rule brought Kabaddi with them. They used to play Kabaddi in remote areas. After their work, as a sport, Kabaddi was there. They used to call it sadugudu. – Padmanathan Engaittraman, team manager of the national Kabbadi team[12]
In 2023, an agreement to popularise Kabaddi among Malaysian youth was signed by the Educational, Welfare & Research Foundation Malaysia (EWRF) and the Kabaddi Association of Malaysia (KAM) as part of a civil society intervention (CSI) initiative of EWRF’s involving a 20-week student transformation sports programme aimed at empowering students through Kabbadi training[13].
A standard Kabaddi match lasts 40 minutes, divided into two 20-minute halves. The game begins with a coin toss, allowing the winning team to choose whether to raid or defend first. With its fast-paced action and strategic play, Kabaddi continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Explore our sources:
- Bernama. (2024). Malaysian silambam team are Asian champs with 12 golds. Free Malaysia Today. Link.
- Selangor Journal. (2024). Malaysia claims Asia Open Silambam Championship title in Qatar. Link.
- Australian National University. (n.d.). Silambam: Twirling into Tamil Combat Tradition | School of Culture, History & Language. Link.
- Maganathan, D. K. (2025). Malaysia’s teen silambam champs shine on world stage. Free Malaysia Today. Link.
- Persatuan Silambam Malaysia. (n.d.). Link.
- Affifudin, A. H. (2022). One story on origin of silat says a man learnt it from his wife. News Straits Times. Link.
- UNESCO. (n.d.). Silat. Link.
- Free Malaysia Today. (2024).Thamaraj creates history with world silat gold medal. Link.
- Tseng, M. (2020). Insight into the Malay world: Silat, strategy, tactical human combat, weaponry and philosophy. Cultural Impact. Link.
- Krishnan, D. B. (2023). Now ranked fifth in Asia, national kabaddi team seeks funds, better training for medals target in 2024. Malay Mail. Link.
- Ananth, T. N. P. (2024). Malaysian kabaddi team triumphs at Indonesia Open International Kabaddi Championship. Varnam Malaysia. Link.
- Swaroop Swaminathan. (2023). Asian Games: Indian connect in Malaysia’s men’s kabaddi team. The New Indian Express. Link.
- Metro News. (2023). Agreement signed to develop and popularise Kabbadi. The Star. Link.
