by, Hani Rashid
For 14-year-old Rifqi and 13-year-old Afiq Haziq Bin Ahmad Afandi of Sekolah Menengah Agama Telok Kemang, Negeri Sembilan, winning first place at the IIUM Robotic Competition (IRC) 2025 was more than just about taking home a medal. It was about a journey that began as strangers and ended in friendship, resilience, and a robot that survived a motor fire.
The pair trained for three months, building their own robots with guidance from their teachers. “We learned to always be brave to face anything,” said Muhammad Qalif Rifqi Bin Ramli. “From not knowing each other to becoming close friends, we’ve built a real understanding.”
Second-place winners Muhammad Aqif Harraz Bin Izzat @ Mohd Izzat and Muhammad Nasrullah, both 16 and also from Sekolah Menengah Agama Telok Kemang, Negeri Sembilan, had just two and a half weeks to prepare due to their extra Form 4 classes. They tackled most challenges on their own, seeking help only when necessary. “We had to miss some classes for training, so catching up was hard,” said Aqif. “But we learned that hard work, cooperation, and communication are the keys to success,” he said.
Third-place finishers Ahmad Muzhaffar and Wan Muhammad Adam, both 15 and representing Sekolah Menengah Agama Telok Kemang, Negeri Sembilan, also trained for two and a half weeks while balancing sports commitments like soccer. Their biggest challenge wasn’t the competition itself, but their own nerves. “Chewing gum actually helps with nervousness,” Adam revealed. They trained together in the evenings, building teamwork one practice session at a time.
A Stage for Young Talent
Held annually by IIUM Roboteam and Makers@IIUM, the IRC is an international-level robotics competition that brings together primary and secondary school students from across Malaysia and abroad. The event serves as a platform to showcase skills in five main categories — Autonomous Sumo, Drone Racing, Innovation, Time Rush, and Robot Soccer — along with various Sumo weight divisions.
This year’s competition was marked by intense matches, technical ingenuity, and a spirit of unity that extended beyond the competition floor.
photos by IRC IIUM
Day 1 Highlights
Manual Sumo 500g
Champion, SMENJA BRAVO 3, Sekolah Menengah Menjalara Kuala Lumpur
1st Runner-up, SPIANS 7, SMK Seri Pekan
2nd Runner-up, SQandar, SMK Seri Iskandar
Autonomous Sumo 500g
Champion, DEKLIAN CX3, SMK Kompleks KLIA
1st Runner-up, CONSENDO 8, Tunku Kurshiah College
2nd Runner-up, CONSENDO 5, Tunku Kurshiah College
3kg Autonomous Sumo Magnetic
Champion, RHINO, Azimov Team
1st Runner-up, PRNS MARK V, Kelab Peminat Robotik Negeri Sembilan
2nd Runner-up, Medan Bravo, SMK Seri Medan
Autonomous Sumo 1kg
1st Place, CONSENDO 12, Tunku Kurshiah College
2nd Place, Tuah A, SMA Persekutuan Labu
3rd Place, Jaya Omega, SK Seberang Jaya
Day 2 Highlights
Soccer (Primary School)
Champion, WANYI Stinger, SK Seri Besout
2nd Place, STEK Warriors B, SK Teruntum
3rd Place, JIRC Neo, SK Pusat Juasseh
Soccer (Secondary School)
Champion, SMATKem Revo, SM Agama Telok Kemang
2nd Place, SMATKem Titans, SM Agama Telok Kemang
3rd Place, SMATKem Robonova, SM Agama Telok Kemang
Drone Racing
Champion, Manjung Warriors, Syscore Academy
2nd Place, Drone Rovers, Syscore Academy
3rd Place, SQ BK1, SJKC Batang Kali
Time Rush
Champion, DRAX8, Sekolah Tun Fatimah
1st Runner-up, RampasSholehslav, MAN 1 Pasuruan
2nd Runner-up, CONSENDO 13, Kolej Tunku Kurshiah
Creative Innovation Awards
Technical Awards
- INVENTIVE 9, SK Telok Ramunia
- E.C.H.O, Adroit Tech
- SMIAAG Force, SMIAAG
Bronze Award
- Eco-Prodigies, SK Batu Lanchang
- GONG STEM EDU, SK Gong Tok Nasek
- TechNova, SK Taman Putra Perdana 2
Silver Award
- SafeStride, SMK Kuala Kubu Bharu
- SRI Roboteam, SRI Seremban
- Tsandiesta Creat, MTs N 6 Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Gold Award
- SIEME RTG, SBPI Selandar, Melaka
- SAUJANAVENGERS, SMK Padang Saujana
- ROBO SQUAD PA3, SMK Puncak Alam 3, Selangor
With champions crowned and friendships forged, IRC 2025 ended on a high note, leaving participants with not only medals but also memories of challenges overcome, lessons learned, and bonds that will last well beyond the competition floor. Organizers hope the event will continue to inspire more young people to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).***
