NINE secondary school students from Penang have made Malaysia proud by securing two prestigious awards at the Asia Pacific Open Championship – First Lego League Challenge (FLL).
Competing under the team name Nemesis-X Assassins, the students clinched the Overall Champion Award (Grand Champion) and came in second in the Best Robot Performance Award category.
In the highly competitive global event, the team – united by a shared passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and robotics – stood out for their outstanding teamwork, innovative design thinking and consistent on-stage performance.
The team members were Chong Yao Qing (SMJK Chung Ling), Edmond Tan Hung Xuan (SMJK Phor Tay), Isaac Fong Wah Kin (SMJK Heng Ee Cawangan), Neoh Yi Qing (Penang Chinese Girls’ High School), Seow Carlson (Han Chiang High School), Tan Ee Shern (Chung Ling Private High School), Teh Yu Xuan (Han Chiang High School), Tong Zee Kenn (SMJK Chung Ling) and Wong Zi Chiun (SMJK Heng Ee Cawangan).
All of them are 16 years old except Ee Shern, who is 15.
Held at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, the international robotics tournament, themed “Submerged” this season, brought together 59 teams from 22 countries.
Besides Malaysia, the other participating countries were Australia, United States, Brazil, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Greece, China, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea, Hong Kong, South Africa, Romania, Turkey, Honduras, Norway, the United Arab Emirates, Taiwan and Vietnam.
The team previously emerged second runner-up at the 2024 Malaysia FLL Challenge National Open Championship, earning them the honour of representing the country at the international competition in Australia.
Their recent victory marked a historic milestone, as it was the first time since 2017 that Malaysia has reclaimed the Overall Champion title at an FLL international event.
Accompanying the team at the tournament were coaches Ng Lee Chuang, Eric Lo Weng Kit, Ritchie Poh and Soon Khye Ze.
