In a country where fencing is still emerging as a popular sport, Malaysia’s Starmax Fencing is paving the way for the next generation of athletes. Starmax, today, announced a groundbreaking partnership with 14-year-old fencing sensation Saif Nordin, a young foil fencer making his mark both locally and internationally.
For Starmax, a company known for its comprehensive range of fencing equipment, this collaboration exemplifies its commitment to fostering young Malaysian talent, nurturing the future of the sport, and building Malaysia’s fencing presence on the global stage.
“We want to ensure that the best equipment is available to fencers of all ages,” says Yap Yew Kong, advisor to Starmax Fencing. “For young fencers like Saif, equipment quality directly impacts their development. Our goal is to offer quality and affordability to Malaysian families and to support athletes as they transition into the high-performance arena.”
“We want Saif to take the Starmax brand to the region. He fences in many tournaments in Asia and now Malaysia is hosting more tournaments. We see a growing trend of fencers buying online in countries like Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, and picking up their new equipment when they compete in the international tournaments hosted in Malaysia,” concluded Yap, when speaking with News Hub Asia.
Saif, who trains with the Touché Fencing Club in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, under Head Coach Andrew Mok – an accredited coach by the International Fencing Federation (FIE) – has competed in multiple tournaments, including the SUKMA Games, Asia Cadet Cup, and Commonwealth Fencing Championships. For him, this partnership with Starmax offers a critical advantage: access to reliable, high-quality equipment that allows him to focus on honing his skills.
“When you’re on the piste, it’s just you and your opponent,” Saif says. “But a lot goes into that moment, including having the right gear that you can trust. With Starmax’s support, I feel ready to take on any challenge and to perform at the best of my ability no matter who I’m fencing.”
Over the last few weeks, Saif has seen continued success both at home in Kuala Lumpur and further afield in Hong Kong. He recently won the bronze medal at the National Junior Championships an under-21 age group tournament and a gold medal in the 2024 Asian Cadet Fencing Challenge in Hong Kong in the under-14 category.
For Starmax, this partnership reflects a growing recognition that fencing is not merely a niche sport but one with substantial global significance. The company’s reach extends beyond Malaysia, with a product line that serves the needs of both amateur and professional fencers, offering after-sales services that ensure equipment durability and longevity. Starmax’s commitment to excellence has made it a trusted name in fencing across Malaysia, supporting athletes in their journey from entry-level competitors to high-performance champions.
Through partnerships with athletes like Saif, Starmax is not only supporting individual talent but also contributing to Malaysia’s national sports development. With this collaborative spirit, the brand envisions a future where Malaysian fencers can compete with confidence and pride on the world stage, bringing greater recognition to Malaysia in the international fencing community.
As Malaysia’s fencing community continues to grow, partnerships like the one between Starmax and Saif Nordin are not only setting new standards for the sport but also fostering a spirit of national pride and ambition that is quickly putting Malaysia on the global fencing map.
This equipment sponsorship deal follows a dynamic collaboration with News Hub Asia – a media partnership that ensures the 14-year-old fencer gets the media attention needed to highlight the journey of a young sportsperson. News Hub Asia will continue to provide extended coverage of the sporting careers of young athletes as they build a name for themselves on and off the sporting field.
This sponsorship comes on the back of a tie-up with the Foundation for Malaysian Sporting Excellence (SportExcel), which sees Saif as part of the SportExcel Dedicated Athletes Programme.
For more information about Saif Nordin visit www.saifnordin.com and for more information about Starmax Fencing’s product offerings, please visit www.starmaxfencing.com.
