On 22 December 2025 (Monday), the 23rd Long Yan Abacus & Mental Arithmetic Championship was successfully held at Setia City Convention Centre, Selangor, Malaysia. The event brought together nearly 1,000 elite participants from various regions, competing on the same stage.

More than a contest of speed and mental agility, the competition served as a dynamic exchange of intellect and discipline. United by a shared mission, the participants demonstrated excellence through focused calculation and unwavering determination, jointly contributing to the preservation and promotion of abacus and mental arithmetic as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

As an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, the essence of abacus and mental arithmetic can be summarised as, “The hands operate the abacus, the brain is trained, culture is passed on, and wisdom is inherited.” Research conducted by a Zhejiang University scientific research team indicates that long-term abacus and mental arithmetic training continuously stimulates and strengthens functional connectivity in key brain regions, including the hippocampus. Just as physical exercise enhances muscular strength, targeted cognitive training can likewise reshape and reinforce neural pathways in the brain. This explains why repeated abacus and mental arithmetic practice effectively enhances brain–hand coordination, cognitive agility, and computational efficiency, thereby supporting overall learning performance in children.

Through its distinctive training approach, abacus and mental arithmetic subtly cultivate mental focus, internal calculation ability, and purposeful action. It is not merely a form of “culture at one’s fingertips,” but a structured cognitive discipline that embodies the principle of unity of knowledge and action. For this reason, the continued organisation of high-standard abacus and mental arithmetic competitions is especially significant—not only do they provide children with opportunities to be seen and recognised, but they also further strengthen learning motivation, confidence, and a sense of self-identity.

Both inside and outside the competition venue, numerous memorable moments were captured. Amid a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere, distinguished representatives from around the world entered the venue holding the placards of their respective organisations. Having travelled from afar, they contributed guidance, insights, and perspectives to the event, embodying the belief that education transcends borders and reaffirming the shared vision of global educational exchange.

At the opening ceremony, distinguished guests gathered on stage to launch the ceremonial cannon. Amidst flying confetti and cheers from the audience, the competition was officially inaugurated.

Mr Kwek Sy Haur, representative of the organiser, Bina Jaya Tuition Centre, stated: "Through this competition, we hope to provide children with a platform for learning and personal growth. We firmly believe that the significance of this event goes far beyond rankings and competition. Witnessing children build confidence, challenge themselves, and gradually develop a love for exploration and critical thinking is the greatest motivation and ultimate goal behind our continued organisation of this competition."

Chief Judge Coach Ng Yan Nee and Chief Scoring Judge Coach Sabrina delivered speeches in turn, providing detailed explanations of the competition rules and the scoring standards at the grading station. They jointly emphasized that rigorous and professional judging is the highest form of respect for the competitors’ efforts.

Subsequently, three student representatives took the oath, their resonant words echoing throughout the venue, reflecting the competition’s mission of being rooted locally while reaching out globally.

As part of the pre-competition preparations, the host led all participants in a unified cheer. After their resounding response, the venue fell into a focused silence, with the competitors fully prepared and ready to begin.

At the sound of the competition signal, nearly a thousand hands moved in unison, flipping their sheets and begin to write.

The crisp clicks of the abacus beads intertwined with the rapid scratching of pens, creating a vivid scene of speed and focus—intense yet orderly—throughout the competition.

On the surface, the competitors’ fingers move swiftly across the abacus, demonstrating speed and precision in perfect harmony. Beneath this, the event embodies the heritage of an intangible cultural legacy, where wisdom is passed down and the torch of knowledge continues to burn.

As the competition progressed, it reached the most intense and thrilling “Flash Arithmetic” segment. The short-duration, high-intensity computations demanded peak mental agility and lightning-fast response from the competitors.

It is within such a fast-paced, high-stakes challenge—where every fraction of a second counts—that the participants demonstrate remarkable focus and mental resilience.

As the Flash Arithmetic segment concluded, the competition was ready to reveal the results. The trophies displayed in the venue stand as a testament to the participants’ long-term training and dedication. The organisers present them in recognition of every effort made by the participants, while encouraging continued growth and improvement.

At the awards ceremony, the organisers expressed their highest respect and gratitude to all participants, taking pride in the outstanding performance and positive spirit demonstrated by each of the “future leaders of the nation.” The ceremony then reached its most anticipated moment—the crowning of the participant awarded the competition’s highest honor, the “Ultimate Champions.”

On the competition floor, every spark of effort deserves to be seen, every achievement deserves recognition, and every moment of perseverance deserves encouragement. Today’s achievements belong not only to every participant who gave their all and competed with courage, but also to the dedicated teachers who have nurtured them, the supportive parents whose cooperation made it possible, and all education professionals who care about the healthy growth of young people. The organisers also sincerely thank the guiding body—the World Association of Abacus and Mental Arithmetic—and all distinguished guests for their continued attention and support. It is through such professional guidance that children are provided with a solid foundation for long-term growth and development.

The 23rd Long Yan Abacus & Mental Arithmetic Championship has concluded successfully, yet the journey of cultural heritage and the pursuit of wisdom is never-ending. We look forward to, and firmly believe in, a future where countless outstanding talents will stand on this stage, becoming the torchbearers of intangible cultural heritage, and together inscribe a magnificent chapter for this new era!