Graceful and soft-spoken, Lim Sim Zher didn’t set out to conquer the world; she only wanted to heal her own body.
However, her journey took a different twist and the 28-year-old world massage champion has put Malaysia on the global massage map.
Watching her demonstrate her art transports you to a different dimension – the artistry, flow and ease in which Lim transitions from one body part to another while massaging her client is breathtaking.
It is both a visual feast and a restorative massage for the client.
A massage competitor needs the appropriate skills, presentation and ability to effortlessly guide the client into a state of deep relaxation.
Lim says: “I practise very hard daily – self-discipline is of utmost importance.
“Massage is not only about physical strength as we also need to have empathy, patience and mental strength.”
She has been in the wellness industry for the past eight years and took part in her first international competition just last year (2025).
It was a humbling experience and Lim came away awed from observing the skills of other contestants.
“The competitions have been around for quite a long time, but in South-East Asia, it is just getting started.
“So, people are curious and ask, ‘Wow, a competition for massage?
“That’s also how I found out, when a friend suggested I compete in a tournament,” she shares.
There is no prize money, only a trophy, certificate and the pride in knowing you’re among the best.
Raining gold and silver
Determined to fare better, Lim set out to improve herself.
“In the first competition, I listened to the music and did the massage.
“Suddenly, I felt like I wanted to dance while massaging and that’s how I got the idea to create a ‘dance massage’,” she reveals.
In April, she captured the gold medal at the prestigious 2026 M1 Grand Prix World Massage Championship in the Philippines, while fellow Malaysian Faten Syahira M. Hanafi won silver in the Eastern Freestyle Massage category and bronze in Facial Massage.
Lim couldn’t believe it.
A panel of international massage therapy experts evaluates the participants.
Scoring is based on technical execution, hand pressure, flow, ergonomics, cultural authenticity and overall innovation.
The annual event is organised by the World Massage Federation, which is headquartered in Greece.
The organisation is dedicated to advancing massage education worldwide and also organises a rotating circuit of regional opens, national championships and intercontinental events throughout the year.
Then, in June, Lim took home the silver medal in the Eastern Freestyle Massage category at the Asia Massage Championship 2026, which took place in Tokyo, Japan, while fellow therapist Mazlin Mazlan clinched the gold medal in the Oil Massage category.
In the Eastern Freestyle Massage category, competitors typically incorporate specialised regional techniques such as Shiatsu, Thai massage, Ayurvedic treatments, Tui Na or Balinese, which are blended creatively according to the therapist’s signature style.
In Lim’s case, she incorporated a Chinese traditional hand fan into one of her routines, which earned points for uniqueness under the judging criteria.
At the same event, Malaysia Therapist Team (MTT) adviser Dr Hadafi Fitri Mohd Latip also clinched first place in the jury category with a massage performance infused with cultural elements.
Malaysian massage therapists are increasingly gaining recognition for their multicultural identity and incorporation of elements such as traditional attire and movements from different cultures into their performance.
The Jalur Gemilang flew high as the trio outperformed the best from other Asian countries, including Thailand, which is renowned for its traditional Thai massage.
The awards and accolades have been pouring in for Lim, but she remains grounded, focusing on refining her skills, teaching/mentoring other therapists and managing her wellness business, all while raising a young family.
She’s also an international championship judge, which requires her to travel overseas frequently.
“Next year, I will compete in Copenhagen, Denmark.
“That will be my last competition as my target is to join a world championship in each region and Europe is the only one left.
“Since I’ve now been ‘upgraded’ to international judge, I’d rather focus on that,” says Lim, a member of MTT, an organisation that supports athletes in their physical recovery.
Postpartum blues
Lim, who hails from Kota Baru, got into massage to heal herself after delivering her first child at the age of 20.
She shares: “Despite doing the traditional Malay urut (massage) during my confinement, my body felt very weak and my face was deathly pale – literally white.
“I was also gaining weight due to hormonal imbalances, and no matter what medicines the doctor prescribed, I didn’t get better and became extremely emotional.
“Herbs such as kacip fatimah, which I took (for women’s reproductive and hormonal health), left my body ‘heaty’.”
At her wit’s end, she spiralled into despair.
Then, as she was scrolling through Facebook one day, she stumbled upon a course posted by a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner in Kuala Lumpur.
It read: “Chinese herbal therapy plus Tui Na massage during confinement.”
Finally, a glimmer of hope, thought Lim, and quickly signed up for the course, with her hubby and family’s approval.
That marked her turning point.
She applied what she had learnt on herself and began feeling better.
“This is where I discovered that hands are not the only body part that can be used to massage – you can use all body parts (called bodywork massage).
“Then, I practised on my family members – my grandmother was the first as she was helping to care for my baby,” she says.
The family gave her the thumbs-up as they found relief in her healing hands.
She then tried it on her friends and they too responded positively.
That’s when the enterprising woman set up a wellness business in Kota Baru offering this service to help women with similar problems.
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Prior to that, Lim, who trained in several dance forms and gymnastics, was already running a dance studio in her hometown.
With two businesses and a young child to take care of, her hands were full, but she loved it.
“I’m a workaholic!” she says, laughing.
Somehow, she fell in love with massage and learnt different techniques before crafting her own style.
As her clientele was mainly in Kuala Lumpur, Lim also set up a wellness centre here and eventually relocated to KL four years ago after the birth of her second child.
This time, her confinement was smooth.
Lim would shuttle back and forth between the two cities as her family remained in Kota Baru.
But as she missed them too much, especially her two kids, she decided to close her dance studio and move her family to KL two years ago, bringing her grandmother along to help babysit her children.
The therapists she has trained – about 30 in total – help run both massage centres.
Lim herself only takes up to 10 clients a month as her schedule is packed.
Focus on women
Lim’s technique has evolved from traditional, strenuous methods to a more professional, less physically-demanding style, and she teaches other therapists this to attract new talent to the industry.
Her favourite style: Lomi Lomi, a traditional Hawaiian massage that uses long, flowing forearm strokes to work the entire body in continuous, rhythmic movements.
The name translates to “to knead, rub or soothe” in Hawaiian, and the practice goes far beyond muscle manipulation.
It’s rooted in a spiritual framework that treats the body, mind and emotions as interconnected.
“It’s more suited to my clients as it is very healing.
“Nowadays, people are very stressed with their working and family life, so healing is very important.
“The style I have created allows people to feel that they are loved and relaxed, and that will give them a chance to pause and breathe again,” she explains.
Lim also focuses on women’s emotional and physical health at various ages and stages in life.
“I believe that massage is not just for relaxing the body, but also for healing the soul.
“Every touch is a form of healing that helps women rediscover themselves, regain energy, love themselves and release emotional stress,” she says.
Her future objective is to mentor and prepare the next generation of Malaysian massage therapists for international competitions, aiming to bring more national talent to the world stage.
“The feeling of standing on the podium with our flag is priceless.
“I couldn’t stop screaming, ‘Malaysia! Malaysia!’” she says, still in disbelief.
In massage competitions, aside from technical skills and the ability to relax the client, presentation is also very important, hence Lim’s graceful postures.
Lim’s technique has evolved from traditional, strenuous methods to a more professional, less physically demanding style.
Lim’s technique has evolved from traditional, strenuous methods to a more professional, less physically demanding style.
Lim says she is genetically blessed with flexibility and doesn't have to work too hard at it.
Lim says she is genetically blessed with flexibility and doesn't have to work too hard at it.
Lim has a signature style of her own, but her favourite massage style is Lomi Lomi.
If necessary and depending on what the client's issues are, Lim may use props such as the piece of cloth used here.
If necessary and depending on what the client's issues are, Lim may use props such as the piece of cloth used here.
Every touch is a form of healing that helps women rediscover themselves, says Lim.
Every touch is a form of healing that helps women rediscover themselves, says Lim.
Hands are not the only body part used to massage a client, other body parts can also be used to reduce repetitive stress injuries.
Hands are not the only body part used to massage a client, other body parts can also be used to reduce repetitive stress injuries.
