16/04/2026

LYFE THURSDAY | APR 16, 2026

23

Ű BY AMEEN HAZIZI

A short time ago, not so far away, lightsabers were something fans only ever saw on screen. For decades, they belonged to Star Wars, with choreographed duels and glowing blades that were meant to be watched, rather than tried. Now, that idea is being brought a little closer to reality. In Malaysia, small communities are turning lightsaber duelling into a structured activity that feels less like spectacle and more like a hobby, sitting between a casual workout and a social routine, without the usual barriers of either. Adam Azhad Azhar, who runs sessions locally under Lightspeed Saber, keeps the idea grounded. “We wanted to make it a recreational sport,” he told theSun . Easy to start The biggest shift is how quickly people can get into it. Most participants arrive with no background in fencing or martial arts. That is expected. The format is designed so beginners can pick up the basics and start sparring within the same session. “You can come in for one session and start playing immediately,” he said. There is no long learning curve before participation. You learn just enough to move safely, then you are already involved. Many hobbies lose people early, because said hobbies feel too technical or too demanding. Here, curiosity is enough to get someone through the door. Low risk, high movement Sessions are simple. Warm-up, movement, then controlled sparring. The rules prioritise clean contact over force. The aim is to land a touch, not to hit hard. “A lot of people are afraid of getting hurt, but in this sport, you do not get hurt,” Adam said. That principle shapes the experience. The blades, known as lightspeed sabers, are custom built for the sport, designed to flex and absorb impact rather than cause injury. The blades are flexible and any movement that risks injury is penalised. It creates an environment where people can engage without hesitation, even on their first try. Once sparring

Lightsaber duelling offers a low-barrier entry into an active hobby. – ALL PICS COURTESY OF ADAM

Real life lightsaber duels

o Where sci-fi meets everyday fitness

directional changes raise the heart rate without the stop-start feel of a typical gym session. It does not feel like structured exercise, but the effort

accumulates.

“The health

b e n e f i t s i n c l u d e

begins, the pace picks up. You are constantly adjusting distance, reacting to attacks and looking for openings. T h e intensity comes from speed and timing, rather than impact.

Lightsaber duels as an activity prioritises safe contact and controlled movement.

techniques, ask for feedback and refine what they have learned. The activity begins to exist outside its scheduled time. Why it sticks According to Adam, what keeps people coming back is simple — it is fun. There is no complicated explanation. Lightsaber duelling draws attention because it feels familiar. It keeps people because it fits easily into everyday life. No steep learning curve, no pressure to compete and no heavy commitment. Just a hobby built on movement, fandom and community.

to keep it casual. Both groups share the same space. That balance extends across age as well. Teenagers train alongside older participants, some in their 60s. Because the format focuses on timing and control, physical differences matter less. It allows people to stay involved without feeling out of place. Beyond the session What starts as a weekly class often moves beyond it. “Some people are already playing outside of classes,” he said. Participants meet informally, practise on their own and share clips of their sparring. They compare

mobility, flexibility and improved cardiovascular endurance,” Adam said. Over time, that translates into better coordination and improved joint movement. The focus stays on reacting and moving, rather than counting repetitions or tracking performance. Shared space Participants come from mixed backgrounds. Some have martial arts experience, others come from general fitness routines. Many are complete beginners. Within sessions, they naturally split into those who want to train more seriously, and those who prefer

Built-in workout The physical side is less obvious at first, but it builds. F o o t w o r k keeps the lower body active. Repeated swings and blocks work the upper body. Quick reactions and

Adam, founder of Lightspeed Saber and avid Star Wars fan.