Sancy Suraj: The Singaporean Memory Sensation for The Fastest Time to Recite the Periodic Table


Sancy Suraj is a Singaporean memory sensation, with a total of six memory records to his name, including the fastest time to recite the Periodic Table. As a memory coach and athlete, Sancy has spent years developing and refining his memory techniques, and has helped numerous individuals improve their memory skills.

In this article, we had the pleasure of interviewing Sancy and gaining insights into his world of memory competitions, coaching, and techniques. From discussing the challenges he faces as a memory athlete and coach, to sharing tips on how to improve memory skills, Sancy provided valuable insights into the world of memory and how it can impact education and personal growth.

How did you first get involved in the world of memory competitions?

I first got involved in the world of memory competitions about 12 years ago, after I stumbled upon a book on memory improvement. I was immediately fascinated by the idea that the brain can be trained to remember vast amounts of information, and I began experimenting with different memory techniques.

Over time, I became more and more interested in memory improvement, and I started participating in local memory competitions in Singapore. I was initially quite nervous about competing, but I quickly discovered that I had a natural talent for memorization, and I began setting records in various memory events.

As I continued to compete and improve, I became more and more passionate about memory improvement, and I started to develop my own techniques and strategies for memorizing information quickly and efficiently. I also began to study the techniques of other memory athletes and experts, learning from their experiences and insights.

Overall, my involvement in the world of memory competitions has been a deeply rewarding and fulfilling experience. It has allowed me to push the boundaries of what is possible in terms of memory performance, and it has given me the opportunity to share my passion for memory improvement with others around the world.

Could you walk us through the process of preparing for a memory-related record attempt?

Sure, I’d be happy to walk you through my process for preparing for a memory-related record attempt.

Firstly, I usually start by identifying the specific information that I need to memorize for the record attempt. This could be anything from a list of numbers or names to a deck of playing cards or, in the case of my record for the periodic table, a list of elements.

Once I have identified the information I need to memorize, I start to develop a strategy for memorizing it quickly and efficiently. This usually involves using a combination of mnemonic techniques, such as the memory palace technique, the method of loci, or the major system.

I also spend a lot of time practicing and refining my techniques in the lead up to a record attempt. This involves memorizing the same information over and over again, gradually increasing the amount of information I need to memorize each time.

In the days and weeks leading up to a record attempt, I focus on getting enough rest, eating well, and keeping my mind sharp and focused. This usually involves doing a lot of mental exercises, such as solving puzzles or playing memory games, as well as practicing visualization techniques and relaxation exercises to keep my mind and body in top shape.

Overall, preparing for a memory-related record attempt is a complex and intensive process that requires a lot of focus, dedication, and hard work. But with the right techniques, strategies, and mindset, it is possible to achieve incredible feats of memory performance, as I have been fortunate enough to do in my own career as a memory athlete.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a memory athlete and coach?

As a memory athlete and coach, there are several challenges that I face on a regular basis.

One of the biggest challenges is simply staying motivated and focused. Memorizing large amounts of information can be mentally exhausting, and it can be difficult to maintain the necessary levels of concentration and discipline over long periods of time. It’s important to develop strong mental resilience and to stay motivated by setting achievable goals and tracking progress.

Another challenge is staying up to date with the latest memory techniques and research. The field of memory improvement is constantly evolving, with new techniques and strategies emerging all the time. As a coach and athlete, it’s important to stay on top of these developments and to be able to adapt to changing circumstances.

Another challenge is dealing with the pressure of competition. When attempting to set a new record or achieve a personal best, it’s natural to feel nervous or anxious. The key is to develop effective coping strategies, such as visualization exercises, relaxation techniques, and positive self-talk, to help manage stress and anxiety.

Finally, there is the challenge of balancing training and competition with other aspects of life, such as work, family, and social commitments. It’s important to maintain a healthy work-life balance and to ensure that training and competition don’t become all-consuming. This requires effective time management, as well as a strong support network of friends, family, and fellow athletes.

“To excel as a memory athlete and coach, one must not only master the art of memorization, but also the art of balance – balancing the demands of training and competition with the joys of life, and balancing the pursuit of excellence with the pursuit of happiness.”

How do you help others to improve their memory skills?

As a memory coach, my primary goal is to help others develop and improve their memory skills so that they can achieve their personal and professional goals.

One of the key ways I do this is by teaching people various memory techniques and strategies that can help them remember information more effectively. This includes techniques like the memory palace, the method of loci, and the major system, which can all be used to remember numbers, names, and other types of information.

Another important aspect of memory coaching is helping people to develop good habits and routines that support strong memory performance. This might include things like getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, staying physically active, and practicing mindfulness and meditation.

I also work closely with clients to identify their specific memory-related goals and to develop customized training plans that are tailored to their individual needs and interests. This might involve helping them prepare for a specific exam or competition, or it might involve helping them to improve their overall memory performance in their work or personal life.

Finally, I believe that building a strong sense of community and support is critical for success in memory improvement. That’s why I am always looking for ways to connect with and support other memory athletes and enthusiasts, through online forums, workshops, and other events. By working together and sharing our knowledge and experiences, we can all continue to improve our memory skills and achieve our goals.

Could you share some of the techniques you use to help memorize information quickly and accurately?

As a memory athlete and coach, I rely on several different techniques to help memorize information quickly and accurately. Here are some of the most effective techniques:

Memory Palace Technique: The memory palace technique involves associating pieces of information with different locations in a familiar place, such as your home or office. As you mentally move through the space, you can easily recall the information associated with each location.

The Major System: The major system is a technique that involves converting numbers into sounds and then forming words or images based on those sounds. For example, the number 56 might be converted into the sounds “la” and “sh”, which could then be used to form an image or word like “lash”.

Visualization: Visualization is a powerful tool for memory improvement. By creating vivid mental images of the information you are trying to remember, you can make it much easier to recall later on.

Association: Associating new information with something you already know can be a highly effective way to commit it to memory. For example, you might remember a new person’s name by associating it with someone you already know who has a similar name.

Chunking: Chunking involves breaking down large pieces of information into smaller, more manageable chunks. This can make it easier to remember information and to keep it organized in your mind.

Repetition: Finally, repetition is a simple but powerful tool for memorization. By repeating information several times, you can reinforce it in your memory and make it easier to recall later on.

By combining these and other memory techniques, it’s possible to memorize vast amounts of information quickly and accurately. Of course, like any skill, memory improvement requires practice and dedication, but with the right tools and techniques, anyone can learn to remember more effectively.

“Memorization is not just about raw intelligence, it’s about using effective techniques and strategies to unlock the full potential of your mind.”

Sancy first got involved in the world of memory competitions after being introduced to it by a friend, and has since become a prominent figure in the field. He shared that his process of preparing for memory-related record attempts involves a combination of mental and physical exercises, such as meditation and memory palace techniques.

As a memory coach, Sancy helps others improve their memory skills through customized training programs that cater to their individual needs and learning styles. He uses a variety of techniques such as visualization, association, and repetition to help people remember information quickly and accurately.

One of the biggest challenges Sancy faces as a memory athlete and coach is the pressure to perform consistently and continually push himself to achieve new records. He emphasized the importance of staying motivated and focused on his goals, and shared that his ultimate goal when it comes to memory-related accomplishments is to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

Sancy also spoke about the role of memory athletes and coaches in the future of education, highlighting the potential for memory techniques to improve learning outcomes and enhance academic success. He stressed that memory techniques are not just limited to competitions and records, but can have practical applications in daily life.

Do you have any tips for people who want to improve their memory skills?

Improving your memory skills is something that anyone can do with the right approach and practice. Here are some tips that I often recommend to people who want to improve their memory skills:

Practice regularly: Like any skill, memory improvement requires practice. Make a conscious effort to practice memory techniques every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

Stay engaged: One of the keys to good memory performance is staying engaged and focused on the task at hand. Avoid distractions and try to give your full attention to the information you are trying to remember.

Use your senses: Engaging multiple senses, such as sight, sound, touch, and smell, can help you remember information more effectively. For example, you might try visualizing the information or saying it out loud.

Organize information: Organizing information in a logical and meaningful way can make it much easier to remember. Use tools like outlines, mind maps, and lists to help you organize information effectively.

Get enough sleep: Sleep is crucial for memory consolidation, so make sure you’re getting enough sleep each night. Aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night.

Exercise and eat a healthy diet: Exercise and a healthy diet are important for overall brain health and can help support good memory performance.

Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation, can help you stay focused and reduce stress, both of which can improve memory performance.

Remember, improving your memory skills is a process, and it takes time and practice to see results. But with dedication and the right approach, anyone can learn to remember more effectively.

How do you stay motivated to continue pushing yourself to achieve new records?

Staying motivated to continue pushing myself to achieve new records is a key part of my success as a memory athlete. Here are some of the things I do to stay motivated:

Set goals: Setting clear, measurable goals is important for staying motivated. I set both short-term and long-term goals and work towards achieving them one step at a time.

Celebrate successes: Celebrating small successes along the way helps me stay motivated and focused. It gives me a sense of accomplishment and encourages me to keep pushing forward.

Surround myself with supportive people: Having a supportive network of friends, family, and colleagues is crucial for staying motivated. They provide encouragement, support, and accountability when I need it most.

Stay focused on the process: Rather than focusing solely on the end result, I try to focus on the process of training and improving my memory skills. This helps me stay motivated even when I experience setbacks or challenges.

Continuously challenge myself: I like to challenge myself to try new things and set new records. This keeps things interesting and helps me stay motivated to continue improving my memory skills.

By setting goals, celebrating successes, surrounding myself with supportive people, staying focused on the process, and continuously challenging myself, I am able to stay motivated and continue pushing myself to achieve new records in the world of memory competitions.

What is your ultimate goal when it comes to memory-related accomplishments?

As a memory athlete and coach, my ultimate goal is to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible when it comes to memory-related accomplishments. I am always looking for new challenges and opportunities to showcase my skills, and I hope to inspire others to do the same.

One of my main goals is to continue setting new records in memory competitions. I am constantly working to improve my speed and accuracy when it comes to memorizing information, and I hope to break even more records in the future.

In addition to competing, I also have a passion for teaching others how to improve their memory skills. My goal is to help as many people as possible unlock the full potential of their brains, and to show them that anyone can improve their memory with the right techniques and training.

Ultimately, I believe that memory is one of the most important tools we have for learning and personal growth. By improving our memory skills, we can learn faster, retain more information, and achieve our goals more efficiently. My ultimate goal is to help people around the world unlock the full potential of their brains, and to inspire others to push the boundaries of what is possible when it comes to memory-related accomplishments.

What role do you see memory athletes and coaches playing in the future of education?

I believe that memory athletes and coaches have a critical role to play in the future of education. As our society becomes more focused on technology and digital learning, there is a growing need for people who can help students develop their memory skills and learn more effectively.

Memory athletes and coaches have developed a range of techniques and strategies for improving memory and learning, and these can be applied in a variety of educational settings. By teaching students how to memorize information more effectively, memory athletes and coaches can help students learn faster, retain more information, and achieve better academic results.

In addition, memory athletes and coaches can help to promote a more active and engaging learning environment. By using memory techniques to make learning more interactive and enjoyable, they can help students to stay focused and motivated, and to develop a genuine passion for learning.

Finally, memory athletes and coaches can help to promote a culture of lifelong learning. By teaching people how to learn more effectively, they can help to create a society that values learning and personal growth, and that is better equipped to tackle the challenges of the future.

Overall, I believe that memory athletes and coaches have an important role to play in the future of education. By promoting effective learning techniques and fostering a culture of lifelong learning, they can help to create a brighter future for us all.

What message would you like to share with people who are skeptical about the abilities of memory athletes?

To those who are skeptical about the abilities of memory athletes, I would like to say that our feats are not simply tricks or illusions, but the result of hard work, dedication, and the application of advanced memory techniques. These techniques have been developed over centuries and have been scientifically validated to show their effectiveness in improving memory and learning.

Memory athletes are not born with exceptional memory skills; rather, we develop and hone our abilities through years of training and practice. We use specific techniques and strategies to remember information and make connections between different pieces of information, which allows us to recall vast amounts of information quickly and accurately.

It is also important to recognize that the skills of memory athletes can have practical applications beyond competitions and records. By improving memory and learning, we can become more efficient and effective in our daily lives, whether it is in our jobs, education, or personal pursuits.

Finally, I would encourage skeptics to approach memory athletes with an open mind and a willingness to learn. By embracing these techniques and strategies, they can improve their own memory and learning abilities, and unlock their full potential in all aspects of life.

In summary, I would like to emphasize that memory athletes are not simply entertainers, but highly skilled individuals who have dedicated significant time and effort to improving their memory and learning abilities. I hope that skeptics will recognize the value of these techniques and embrace them as a means to unlock their full potential.

“The abilities of memory athletes are not just a performance, but a testament to the power of dedication, training, and the application of advanced memory techniques that can unlock our full potential.”

In conclusion, Sancy Suraj is a true memory sensation, with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the world of memory. His dedication to improving memory skills and pushing the boundaries of what is possible serves as an inspiration to many. We hope that this article has provided valuable insights into the world of memory, and encourages readers to explore the potential of memory techniques in their own lives.