1 00:00:13,533 --> 00:00:16,213 [instrumental music playing] 2 00:00:16,413 --> 00:00:19,043 [narrator] Human beings are born 3 00:00:19,243 --> 00:00:21,523 with the most capable bodies on the planet... 4 00:00:21,723 --> 00:00:25,003 and the most sophisticated brains 5 00:00:25,203 --> 00:00:26,933 of all living creatures. 6 00:00:28,023 --> 00:00:29,623 [man] Bend the knee at 90. 7 00:00:29,823 --> 00:00:31,103 [narrator] We have all heard the saying 8 00:00:31,303 --> 00:00:34,143 a healthy body equals a healthy mind. 9 00:00:34,343 --> 00:00:36,283 Alright, alright, we're halfway there, halfway there. 10 00:00:36,483 --> 00:00:40,063 [narrator] The saying was first penned by Roman writer Juvenal, 11 00:00:40,263 --> 00:00:42,803 around the end of the 1st Century AD. 12 00:00:43,003 --> 00:00:45,243 That's all. [chuckles] 13 00:00:45,443 --> 00:00:47,643 [narrator] But how important is the health link between mind and body 14 00:00:47,833 --> 00:00:49,423 for us today? 15 00:00:49,623 --> 00:00:51,813 In our often sedentary, 16 00:00:52,013 --> 00:00:53,383 desk-based lives,... 17 00:00:53,583 --> 00:00:56,693 it's easy to lose mind-body balance, 18 00:00:56,893 --> 00:01:00,173 usually at the expense of physical activity. 19 00:01:00,373 --> 00:01:01,913 [instrumental music playing] 20 00:01:02,113 --> 00:01:04,873 [man] The idea of doing an exercise routine, 21 00:01:05,073 --> 00:01:07,923 it's certainly not occurred to me for the last however many decades. 22 00:01:08,123 --> 00:01:13,493 [narrator] So, how beneficial can an increase in exercise be? 23 00:01:13,693 --> 00:01:18,413 This experiment sets out to test that ancient idea 24 00:01:18,603 --> 00:01:20,193 and ask directly 25 00:01:20,393 --> 00:01:24,323 whether exercise can sharpen the mind? 26 00:01:24,523 --> 00:01:26,283 But not just any old minds. 27 00:01:26,483 --> 00:01:29,023 Over the next 16 weeks, 28 00:01:29,223 --> 00:01:33,333 four people, who've chosen to fully focus on their mind competitions 29 00:01:33,533 --> 00:01:35,553 and ignore physical exercise 30 00:01:35,753 --> 00:01:39,433 will be put through a personal training programme and monitored. 31 00:01:39,633 --> 00:01:40,733 Throw. Yes. 32 00:01:40,933 --> 00:01:42,213 [instrumental music playing] 33 00:01:42,413 --> 00:01:44,953 [Pam] Nice. And done. 34 00:01:45,153 --> 00:01:47,653 Nice work! 35 00:01:47,853 --> 00:01:49,193 [narrator] Our four contenders are well established in their fields of excellence. 36 00:01:50,883 --> 00:01:53,313 Based all over the world... 37 00:01:53,513 --> 00:01:54,883 ...they're competing at the highest level 38 00:01:55,083 --> 00:01:56,373 on the global stage. 39 00:01:58,203 --> 00:02:01,323 Whilst fully dedicated to mind sports, 40 00:02:01,523 --> 00:02:03,713 they've all ignored exercise 41 00:02:03,913 --> 00:02:05,453 to different degrees. 42 00:02:05,653 --> 00:02:06,893 [Kassa] ...this isn't really a gambit. 43 00:02:07,093 --> 00:02:08,933 The queen's gambit is not a gambit. 44 00:02:09,133 --> 00:02:12,333 [narrator] Can an increase in physical activity 45 00:02:12,533 --> 00:02:15,643 help the sharpest minds get even sharper? 46 00:02:15,843 --> 00:02:17,423 [cheering] 47 00:02:17,623 --> 00:02:19,293 So, if you wanna step up on the treadmill. 48 00:02:19,493 --> 00:02:21,213 [narrator] The science behind this experiment 49 00:02:21,413 --> 00:02:23,083 has been masterminded 50 00:02:23,283 --> 00:02:25,913 by internationally recognised and award-winning scholar, 51 00:02:26,113 --> 00:02:28,743 Dr Brendon Stubbs... 52 00:02:28,943 --> 00:02:31,703 an academic at one of the world's leading universities, 53 00:02:31,893 --> 00:02:34,923 King's College, London. 54 00:02:35,123 --> 00:02:37,663 [Brendon] This is really ground-breaking research. 55 00:02:37,863 --> 00:02:39,273 The power of exercise 56 00:02:39,473 --> 00:02:41,443 to improve your cognitive and emotional health 57 00:02:41,643 --> 00:02:43,793 and help growth of nerve cells 58 00:02:43,993 --> 00:02:46,193 improving not only the body 59 00:02:46,393 --> 00:02:47,583 but also the mind. 60 00:02:47,783 --> 00:02:50,373 [instrumental music playing] 61 00:02:50,573 --> 00:02:54,243 [narrator] To begin the experiment, Dr Brendon Stubbs and his team 62 00:02:54,443 --> 00:02:56,593 are testing the competitors' 63 00:02:56,793 --> 00:02:58,603 aerobic fitness and strength. 64 00:03:00,823 --> 00:03:02,383 Fromthis starting point, 65 00:03:02,583 --> 00:03:05,343 they'll be able to measure their improvement. 66 00:03:05,543 --> 00:03:07,513 Ben Pridmore lives in England 67 00:03:07,713 --> 00:03:09,823 and is a memory man. 68 00:03:10,023 --> 00:03:12,783 He excels in mind athletics. 69 00:03:12,983 --> 00:03:14,913 - Nice to meet you. - Good to see you. I'm Jeff. 70 00:03:15,113 --> 00:03:16,313 Hi. 71 00:03:16,503 --> 00:03:18,003 [narrator] His approach to exercise? 72 00:03:18,203 --> 00:03:19,613 [Ben] I didn't know people were out of bed at this time. 73 00:03:19,813 --> 00:03:21,013 [Jeff] Best time of the day to run. 74 00:03:21,203 --> 00:03:23,013 [narrator] Well, there is none. 75 00:03:23,213 --> 00:03:26,363 Yeah, that's the thing. Running is not really something I can do. 76 00:03:26,563 --> 00:03:27,453 [Jeff] Let's see how we go. 77 00:03:27,653 --> 00:03:28,753 [Ben] Okay. 78 00:03:28,953 --> 00:03:33,253 [instrumental music playing] 79 00:03:35,693 --> 00:03:38,943 - [Ben] Okay, we can build on that. - [Jeff] Right then. 80 00:03:39,143 --> 00:03:40,113 Push-up test. 81 00:03:40,313 --> 00:03:42,043 Floor, and then push back up. 82 00:03:50,613 --> 00:03:53,223 - Go on, you've got it. - I haven't. 83 00:03:55,013 --> 00:03:56,303 [Ben] Oh, good god, that was terrible. 84 00:03:56,503 --> 00:03:59,783 [instrumental music playing] 85 00:03:59,983 --> 00:04:03,963 [Rich] Okay, ready? And go. 86 00:04:04,163 --> 00:04:06,313 [narrator] New York-born Kassa Korley 87 00:04:06,513 --> 00:04:09,453 is an international chess master. 88 00:04:09,643 --> 00:04:13,933 He gave up exercise during the two-year pandemic. 89 00:04:14,133 --> 00:04:16,583 Nice work, man. How do you feel? 90 00:04:16,783 --> 00:04:18,673 - Really tired. - We'll do our push-up test, alright? 91 00:04:18,873 --> 00:04:20,203 - Alright. - Sound good? 92 00:04:20,393 --> 00:04:21,983 Twenty-five. 93 00:04:22,183 --> 00:04:25,073 Yes, almost there. 25 seconds left. 94 00:04:25,273 --> 00:04:29,603 Down. Alright. Alright, man. Good job. 95 00:04:29,803 --> 00:04:31,253 - Thank you. - Alright. 96 00:04:31,453 --> 00:04:34,993 [instrumental music playing] 97 00:04:35,193 --> 00:04:37,213 [Pam] Nice, Sherry. 98 00:04:37,413 --> 00:04:39,653 [narrator] More familiar to physical activity than the others, 99 00:04:39,853 --> 00:04:43,043 - is Sherry Nhan, from Los Angeles. - That's good. 100 00:04:43,243 --> 00:04:45,223 [narrator] But whilst she is more active, 101 00:04:45,423 --> 00:04:47,963 there is a huge amount of room for improvement, 102 00:04:48,163 --> 00:04:52,053 so a new regime could have a big effect. 103 00:04:52,253 --> 00:04:54,533 I used to do a lot. I need to practice. 104 00:04:54,733 --> 00:04:56,713 [Pam] We'll get push-ups back into your life. 105 00:04:56,913 --> 00:04:59,063 Alright, Sherry? 106 00:04:59,263 --> 00:05:01,763 We are gonna move on to run. I'll go your pace. You set it. 107 00:05:01,963 --> 00:05:03,503 Okay. 108 00:05:03,703 --> 00:05:07,903 [Sherry] So, probably a very incredibly light jog for me. 109 00:05:08,093 --> 00:05:10,613 [instrumental music playing] 110 00:05:14,093 --> 00:05:16,643 [narrator] Tokyo-born Ryoei Hirano 111 00:05:16,843 --> 00:05:19,183 is a Riichi Mahjong master. 112 00:05:21,623 --> 00:05:24,093 [narrator] Ryoei hasn't dedicated any time 113 00:05:24,283 --> 00:05:25,783 to exercise in over 114 00:05:25,983 --> 00:05:27,753 fifteen years. 115 00:05:31,413 --> 00:05:33,143 [narrator] These mind gamers 116 00:05:33,343 --> 00:05:36,973 have four months to build on their physical base levels, 117 00:05:37,173 --> 00:05:40,063 and to see if this improves their performance 118 00:05:40,263 --> 00:05:42,123 in major competitions. 119 00:05:46,383 --> 00:05:48,243 Nice one. Can you take me up town, please? 120 00:05:48,443 --> 00:05:51,333 [narrator] This experiment doesn't just involve these four. 121 00:05:51,533 --> 00:05:55,603 A much larger group of mind gamers from around the world 122 00:05:55,793 --> 00:05:58,123 is also taking part in the study. 123 00:05:58,323 --> 00:06:00,123 This bigger group will be overseen 124 00:06:00,323 --> 00:06:03,823 by Dr Brendon Stubbs and his team. 125 00:06:04,023 --> 00:06:05,003 - Welcome. - Great to be here. 126 00:06:05,193 --> 00:06:06,393 Can you hear me? 127 00:06:06,593 --> 00:06:09,523 Good morning or afternoon to you guys. 128 00:06:09,723 --> 00:06:11,003 Kassa, it's so nice to meet you. 129 00:06:11,203 --> 00:06:12,663 I'm excited for it. 130 00:06:12,853 --> 00:06:15,753 We're going to go through cognitive assessments today, 131 00:06:15,943 --> 00:06:20,143 it's really just to understand how your mind and brain 132 00:06:20,343 --> 00:06:23,933 works in terms of memory, ability to problem solve. 133 00:06:24,133 --> 00:06:27,063 [narrator] The first task is to establish the cognitive performance 134 00:06:27,263 --> 00:06:31,073 of each participant as a starting point. 135 00:06:31,263 --> 00:06:33,853 This means that any changes can be monitored 136 00:06:34,053 --> 00:06:36,423 over the course of the four-month study. 137 00:06:36,623 --> 00:06:38,593 Okay, I'm looking forward to it. 138 00:06:38,793 --> 00:06:40,603 [narrator] Unlike an IQ test, 139 00:06:40,803 --> 00:06:42,953 these tests are not to establish how intelligent they are, 140 00:06:43,153 --> 00:06:45,563 but how fit their brains are, 141 00:06:45,763 --> 00:06:48,653 and how well their minds function. 142 00:06:48,853 --> 00:06:52,173 So, we're going to start off with the Tower of Hanoi task. 143 00:06:52,373 --> 00:06:55,313 - And there's a certain set of rules. - Yup. 144 00:06:55,513 --> 00:06:57,963 Cannot place a disc on a smaller disc. 145 00:06:58,163 --> 00:07:00,623 [Brendon] The data is really interesting. 146 00:07:00,823 --> 00:07:02,493 Ben, 22 moves. 147 00:07:02,693 --> 00:07:05,273 Ryoei scored 15 moves. 148 00:07:05,473 --> 00:07:07,623 But Kassa took 52 moves. 149 00:07:07,823 --> 00:07:09,453 It's really quite surprising 150 00:07:09,653 --> 00:07:11,803 when you consider that he plays chess. 151 00:07:12,003 --> 00:07:13,373 And also, Sherry 152 00:07:13,573 --> 00:07:15,413 completed it within eight moves. 153 00:07:15,613 --> 00:07:17,463 She's really fast-paced, 154 00:07:17,663 --> 00:07:20,113 which could be due to the type of game which she plays. 155 00:07:20,313 --> 00:07:21,863 [Sherry] I feel like people that aren't competitors, 156 00:07:22,053 --> 00:07:24,033 they are never really put 157 00:07:24,233 --> 00:07:26,953 in a state of panic, which bring when you're competing. 158 00:07:27,153 --> 00:07:31,043 In Street Fighter, you only have, like, a couple of seconds to react, or you lose. 159 00:07:31,243 --> 00:07:33,433 [narrator] For all those taking part in the test, 160 00:07:33,633 --> 00:07:37,093 the principal objective is to monitor the effect of exercise 161 00:07:37,293 --> 00:07:40,053 on brain function, 162 00:07:40,253 --> 00:07:43,663 and therefore, see if it helps them to perform better 163 00:07:43,863 --> 00:07:46,533 in their chosen tournaments. 164 00:07:46,733 --> 00:07:48,453 The study will also chart changes 165 00:07:48,653 --> 00:07:51,363 in confidence, concentration and anxiety levels, 166 00:07:51,563 --> 00:07:54,473 as well as overall mental well-being 167 00:08:01,823 --> 00:08:04,163 31-year-old Sherry Nhan 168 00:08:04,363 --> 00:08:06,473 is an up and coming female gamer 169 00:08:06,663 --> 00:08:08,903 on the global esports scene. 170 00:08:09,103 --> 00:08:10,643 My gamer tag is Sherryjenix. 171 00:08:10,843 --> 00:08:13,433 [narrator] Her chosen field is the combat game, 172 00:08:13,633 --> 00:08:15,343 Street Fighter. 173 00:08:15,543 --> 00:08:18,743 [Sherry] It takes a lot of memorising, 174 00:08:18,943 --> 00:08:21,743 a lot of analysing, a lot of quick thinking on your feet. 175 00:08:21,943 --> 00:08:24,573 It's a huge mental toll on your mind. 176 00:08:24,773 --> 00:08:27,793 [narrator] Her goal is to make it onto the big stage 177 00:08:27,993 --> 00:08:32,453 at one of the largest gaming tournaments in the world, Evo... 178 00:08:32,653 --> 00:08:34,323 [Sherry] I wanna become really great at this. 179 00:08:34,523 --> 00:08:36,323 And I want to be up there. 180 00:08:36,523 --> 00:08:38,673 [narrator] ...which is taking place in Las Vegas, 181 00:08:38,873 --> 00:08:40,243 in four months' time. 182 00:08:40,443 --> 00:08:42,413 [Sherry] It'd be making history. 183 00:08:42,613 --> 00:08:44,723 So, it'd be great if it was me. 184 00:08:44,923 --> 00:08:46,943 [narrator] Sherry is curious to find out 185 00:08:47,143 --> 00:08:49,463 whether the increase in physical activity 186 00:08:49,663 --> 00:08:53,083 will give her an edge against her opponents. 187 00:08:53,283 --> 00:08:56,213 [Sherry] Competing is very stressful. 188 00:08:56,413 --> 00:08:59,913 I lack a lot of discipline and confidence. 189 00:09:00,113 --> 00:09:02,043 Hoping that personal training will help me a lot. 190 00:09:02,243 --> 00:09:04,493 So, pretty excited for it, to be honest. 191 00:09:10,283 --> 00:09:11,753 [instrumental music playing] 192 00:09:11,953 --> 00:09:14,843 [narrator] 29-year-old Kassa from New York 193 00:09:15,043 --> 00:09:18,753 is one of the most exciting chess players on the tournament scene. 194 00:09:18,953 --> 00:09:22,583 He has reached the level of international master. 195 00:09:22,783 --> 00:09:23,893 But his ambition 196 00:09:24,093 --> 00:09:26,073 is to become one of the world's few 197 00:09:26,273 --> 00:09:28,503 African American Grand Masters. 198 00:09:28,703 --> 00:09:31,723 [Kassa] When I was playing tournaments as a kid, 199 00:09:31,923 --> 00:09:34,903 I was the only person that looks like me that's there. 200 00:09:35,103 --> 00:09:38,823 And so, being an African American Grand Master is important. 201 00:09:39,023 --> 00:09:42,263 It's a big deal just to get that type of visibility. 202 00:09:42,463 --> 00:09:46,353 [narrator] He wants to achieve this by his 30th birthday, 203 00:09:46,553 --> 00:09:49,483 but Kassa will need to beat a Grand Master 204 00:09:49,683 --> 00:09:53,143 and accumulate maximum points over the next four months 205 00:09:53,343 --> 00:09:56,443 in order to become a Grand Master himself. 206 00:09:56,643 --> 00:09:58,143 [Kassa] Like, I wanna win now. 207 00:09:58,343 --> 00:10:00,323 [narrator] He's decided to dedicate himself 208 00:10:00,523 --> 00:10:02,673 entirely to competitions, 209 00:10:02,873 --> 00:10:04,413 until he achieves his goal 210 00:10:04,613 --> 00:10:06,893 of beating a Grand Master. 211 00:10:07,093 --> 00:10:09,283 [Kassa] And once July hits, I'm gonna be playing 212 00:10:09,483 --> 00:10:11,153 a game almost every day of the month. 213 00:10:11,353 --> 00:10:12,983 And that'll be the most aggressive 214 00:10:13,183 --> 00:10:16,333 month of chess of my life. 215 00:10:16,533 --> 00:10:19,033 [narrator] With the intensity of competition looming, 216 00:10:19,233 --> 00:10:22,603 Kassa will need to be at his peak. 217 00:10:22,803 --> 00:10:24,603 [Kassa] Improving on physical stamina 218 00:10:24,803 --> 00:10:27,133 definitely has a pay-off with the mental stamina. 219 00:10:27,333 --> 00:10:30,433 I think doing the exercise programme will make a difference. 220 00:10:30,633 --> 00:10:31,913 The question that I have is 221 00:10:32,113 --> 00:10:33,893 how much of a difference it'll make. 222 00:10:35,063 --> 00:10:36,193 [instrumental music playing] 223 00:10:39,063 --> 00:10:40,793 [man, over radio] We all have hidden talents. 224 00:10:40,993 --> 00:10:42,103 For Ben Pridmore, 225 00:10:42,303 --> 00:10:44,193 it's an extraordinary memory. 226 00:10:44,393 --> 00:10:46,023 Ben uses a technique that allows him 227 00:10:46,213 --> 00:10:48,373 to memorise thousands of random numbers. 228 00:10:48,563 --> 00:10:51,113 - [man 2] 553? - A chimney. 229 00:10:51,313 --> 00:10:54,073 - [man 2] 554? - [Ben] A man lurking in the shadows. 230 00:10:54,273 --> 00:10:57,813 [man, over radio] Ben then turns those images into a story he can remember. 231 00:10:58,013 --> 00:11:02,033 [Ben] Where there's a camel being eaten by flubber. 232 00:11:02,233 --> 00:11:04,163 I'm Ben Pridmore. I'm a memory man. 233 00:11:04,363 --> 00:11:07,173 Cards, numbers, long words, that kind of thing. 234 00:11:07,373 --> 00:11:09,433 I've been three times world memory champion, 235 00:11:09,633 --> 00:11:11,173 in the distant past. 236 00:11:11,373 --> 00:11:13,173 Yeah. 237 00:11:13,373 --> 00:11:17,743 I just memorised a pack of cards in 26.28 seconds, 238 00:11:17,943 --> 00:11:19,573 which is a new world record. 239 00:11:19,773 --> 00:11:22,273 Memory sports made me into a name that people 240 00:11:22,473 --> 00:11:24,273 indeed still talk about now. 241 00:11:24,473 --> 00:11:25,933 I have a certain legendary status. 242 00:11:26,123 --> 00:11:28,323 If I go to a memory competition around the world, 243 00:11:28,523 --> 00:11:29,973 people crowd around me, they want my autograph. 244 00:11:30,173 --> 00:11:32,113 It's really quite exciting. 245 00:11:32,303 --> 00:11:34,023 [narrator] Forty-five-year-old Ben, 246 00:11:34,223 --> 00:11:35,983 from the West Midlands in England, 247 00:11:36,183 --> 00:11:39,813 is planning to return to competing in memory sports 248 00:11:40,013 --> 00:11:42,563 after an 18 year absence. 249 00:11:45,443 --> 00:11:48,303 [Ben] Most playing cards memorised in 30 minutes. 250 00:11:48,493 --> 00:11:51,043 [narrator] Ben is hoping for a comeback, 251 00:11:51,243 --> 00:11:53,303 aiming to get on the podium 252 00:11:53,503 --> 00:11:55,743 at this year's Mind Sport Olympiad, 253 00:11:55,943 --> 00:11:57,743 held in London. 254 00:11:57,943 --> 00:12:01,183 "Ben Pridmore, UK, memorised 884 cards, 255 00:12:01,383 --> 00:12:04,493 17 packs, at the Derby Memory Championship." 256 00:12:04,683 --> 00:12:07,013 [narrator] Could exercise be the secret sauce 257 00:12:07,213 --> 00:12:08,713 Ben needs to get on the podium 258 00:12:08,913 --> 00:12:10,593 in four months' time? 259 00:12:13,033 --> 00:12:15,153 Well, I've always been very sceptical about the idea 260 00:12:15,353 --> 00:12:17,023 of exercise being related 261 00:12:17,223 --> 00:12:18,983 to the whole mental processes. 262 00:12:19,183 --> 00:12:21,593 [narrator] A stranger to any form of physical exertion, 263 00:12:21,793 --> 00:12:26,463 the next four months are going to be a huge challenge for Ben. 264 00:12:26,663 --> 00:12:29,253 [Ben] My hopes aren't very high, but I'm willing to give it a try 265 00:12:29,453 --> 00:12:30,613 and see what happens. 266 00:12:34,793 --> 00:12:38,433 [instrumental music playing] 267 00:12:38,633 --> 00:12:41,393 [narrator] Forty-four-year-old Ryoei Hirano 268 00:12:41,593 --> 00:12:43,923 is a Riichi Mahjong player. 269 00:12:44,123 --> 00:12:45,573 He has been living in New York 270 00:12:45,773 --> 00:12:47,013 for two and a half years, 271 00:12:47,213 --> 00:12:48,573 and is heading home to Tokyo 272 00:12:48,773 --> 00:12:51,113 to be reunited with his family. 273 00:13:23,843 --> 00:13:26,263 [instrumental music playing] 274 00:13:26,463 --> 00:13:29,223 [narrator] Former Mahjong pro, 275 00:13:29,423 --> 00:13:32,703 Ryoei hasn't competed for three years. 276 00:13:32,903 --> 00:13:36,583 He plans to take part in the World Championship in Vienna, 277 00:13:36,783 --> 00:13:38,753 in four months' time, 278 00:13:38,953 --> 00:13:43,933 and his return to Japan marks the start of his preparation. 279 00:13:44,133 --> 00:13:46,673 This tile-based game is built on skill, 280 00:13:46,873 --> 00:13:48,763 strategy, and luck, 281 00:13:48,963 --> 00:13:51,293 drawing and discarding pieces 282 00:13:51,493 --> 00:13:54,333 to complete sets or pairs. 283 00:13:54,533 --> 00:13:56,213 To win in Mahjong, 284 00:13:56,403 --> 00:13:58,993 a player must achieve the best combination 285 00:13:59,193 --> 00:14:00,173 of tiles. 286 00:14:00,373 --> 00:14:02,183 No! 287 00:14:12,323 --> 00:14:14,923 [narrator] Ryoei has agreed to take part in this study 288 00:14:15,123 --> 00:14:16,403 to see if exercise 289 00:14:16,603 --> 00:14:18,053 can sharpen his mind 290 00:14:18,253 --> 00:14:19,813 for the World Championship. 291 00:14:44,483 --> 00:14:48,433 [instrumental music playing] 292 00:14:48,633 --> 00:14:50,693 [narrator] It's May, and Sherry, along with almost 3,000 other 293 00:14:50,893 --> 00:14:52,913 fighting game competitors, 294 00:14:53,113 --> 00:14:54,093 are in Chicago 295 00:14:54,293 --> 00:14:55,893 for Combo Breaker. 296 00:15:00,983 --> 00:15:03,623 For Sherry to make it to the mainstage, 297 00:15:03,823 --> 00:15:05,413 she must win every match. 298 00:15:05,603 --> 00:15:10,713 [intense music playing] 299 00:15:10,913 --> 00:15:12,373 It's her first game. 300 00:15:12,573 --> 00:15:14,463 Her character, Necalli, 301 00:15:14,663 --> 00:15:16,823 is on the left of screen. 302 00:15:22,003 --> 00:15:24,513 She's fighting well, and she soon secures 303 00:15:24,713 --> 00:15:26,183 her first victory. 304 00:15:27,353 --> 00:15:29,053 Yes, I won. 305 00:15:35,453 --> 00:15:37,313 [narrator] Match two, 306 00:15:37,513 --> 00:15:41,623 and Sherry's character is on the left of screen. 307 00:15:41,813 --> 00:15:43,793 [Sherry] The second game, I could feel that I was playing worse, 308 00:15:43,993 --> 00:15:45,843 so I started holding my breath. 309 00:15:46,043 --> 00:15:48,013 Like, I just feel more stressed, like, 310 00:15:48,213 --> 00:15:50,853 playing-- my heart's pumping even more, I'm even more nervous. 311 00:15:54,513 --> 00:15:55,893 [narrator] Despite her nerves, 312 00:15:56,093 --> 00:15:58,813 she narrowly scrapes through with a win. 313 00:15:59,013 --> 00:16:00,503 [Sherry] When you're playing Street Fighter, 314 00:16:00,703 --> 00:16:01,773 those decisions are happening in a split second, 315 00:16:01,963 --> 00:16:04,073 so when you're making decisions based on, 316 00:16:04,273 --> 00:16:07,523 "I don't want to lose," versus, "I'm going to win," 317 00:16:09,873 --> 00:16:11,653 you start playing scared, 318 00:16:11,843 --> 00:16:13,563 you miss a lot of opportunities. 319 00:16:13,763 --> 00:16:18,433 [narrator] Sherry's stress is starting to take over. 320 00:16:18,633 --> 00:16:21,873 Her third match, within five minutes of gameplay, 321 00:16:22,073 --> 00:16:23,673 she's defeated. 322 00:16:25,063 --> 00:16:27,543 Her tournament comes to an end. 323 00:16:34,163 --> 00:16:36,933 [narrator] After limited success in Chicago, 324 00:16:37,133 --> 00:16:38,593 something has to change 325 00:16:38,783 --> 00:16:42,983 if Sherry is to make it onto the stage at Evo. 326 00:16:43,183 --> 00:16:44,903 [Sherry] These tournament days, they're about twelve-hour days, 327 00:16:45,103 --> 00:16:48,333 and, you know, having endurance is really important. 328 00:16:48,533 --> 00:16:50,253 So, doing the physical training 329 00:16:50,453 --> 00:16:52,443 I hope helps give me some discipline. 330 00:17:01,753 --> 00:17:04,313 [narrator] Almost 800 miles away, 331 00:17:04,513 --> 00:17:08,013 Kassa is competing in the New York Norms 332 00:17:08,213 --> 00:17:12,233 Grand Master and International Master Summer Invitational. 333 00:17:12,433 --> 00:17:16,493 A tournament that attracts elite players from around the world. 334 00:17:16,693 --> 00:17:20,023 [man 3] Welcome everyone to the 2022 New York Summer Invitational. 335 00:17:20,223 --> 00:17:25,553 Just a reminder, if you have a cell phone, just leave it up here. 336 00:17:25,743 --> 00:17:27,423 [narrator] Competitors in these tournaments 337 00:17:27,623 --> 00:17:30,853 accrue points by winning or drawing. 338 00:17:31,053 --> 00:17:32,473 The stronger the opponent, 339 00:17:32,663 --> 00:17:35,473 the more points are available. 340 00:17:35,673 --> 00:17:38,173 Kassa aims to beat a Grand Master, 341 00:17:38,373 --> 00:17:40,133 to win maximum points. 342 00:17:40,323 --> 00:17:43,303 This achievement is known as a Norm. 343 00:17:43,503 --> 00:17:45,963 [Kassa] Grand Master is the highest title in chess, 344 00:17:46,163 --> 00:17:47,923 and in order to achieve Grand Master 345 00:17:48,113 --> 00:17:50,483 you have to have a rating of 2,500, 346 00:17:50,683 --> 00:17:52,883 and three Grand Master norms. 347 00:17:53,083 --> 00:17:54,663 You have to achieve those 348 00:17:54,863 --> 00:17:57,063 at some point in your life... 349 00:17:57,253 --> 00:17:58,403 [man 3] Are there any questions? 350 00:17:58,603 --> 00:18:00,203 [Kassa] ...to become a Grand Master. 351 00:18:03,553 --> 00:18:07,633 [narrator] Unfortunately, Kassa's first opponent, Justus, 352 00:18:07,833 --> 00:18:11,293 is only at international master level. 353 00:18:11,493 --> 00:18:13,593 [Kassa] Justus is someone 354 00:18:13,793 --> 00:18:17,293 from New York that I have a history with, 355 00:18:17,493 --> 00:18:19,253 and I'm the better player. 356 00:18:19,453 --> 00:18:22,863 I've lost to him in a high-stakes game once before. 357 00:18:23,063 --> 00:18:25,563 I surprised him pretty early on. 358 00:18:25,763 --> 00:18:30,043 I, sort of, turned the positional screws. 359 00:18:30,243 --> 00:18:33,193 He's looking at me, I'm looking at the board. 360 00:18:34,893 --> 00:18:36,833 He's defending reasonably. 361 00:18:37,033 --> 00:18:38,443 I know I'm still winning, 362 00:18:38,643 --> 00:18:40,073 but he's slippery. [chuckles] 363 00:18:44,033 --> 00:18:47,933 He makes a blunder that makes it clearly a winning position. 364 00:18:48,133 --> 00:18:50,113 He doesn't resign. 365 00:18:50,313 --> 00:18:51,983 My clock is ticking. 366 00:18:52,183 --> 00:18:54,423 I haven't had a time advantage the whole game. 367 00:18:54,623 --> 00:18:56,073 The game is continuing, 368 00:18:56,273 --> 00:18:58,943 he's finding new resources, I'm not finishing. 369 00:18:59,143 --> 00:19:01,603 And I don't see a path forward, 370 00:19:01,803 --> 00:19:05,223 uh, that doesn't result in me losing. 371 00:19:08,833 --> 00:19:11,093 We agree to the draw. It was, kind of like, 372 00:19:11,283 --> 00:19:15,743 "Man, is this the way I'm gonna be the next two months?" 373 00:19:15,943 --> 00:19:17,403 [Justus] Kassa knows when he's winning. 374 00:19:17,603 --> 00:19:19,493 Like, he knows when he has the better position. 375 00:19:19,683 --> 00:19:21,273 And then that's when he takes the, you know, 376 00:19:21,473 --> 00:19:22,843 the foot off the gas. 377 00:19:23,043 --> 00:19:24,273 And then that gives me the chance to come back in. 378 00:19:24,473 --> 00:19:27,063 I have tactical weaknesses. 379 00:19:27,263 --> 00:19:29,583 I need to work on those. 380 00:19:29,783 --> 00:19:31,283 No offence, it's Kassa, 381 00:19:31,483 --> 00:19:33,593 and he does blow a lot of winning positions against me, 382 00:19:33,793 --> 00:19:35,023 so that was just-- 383 00:19:35,223 --> 00:19:37,893 that was a nasty game, to be honest. 384 00:19:38,093 --> 00:19:40,643 And yeah, thank you for letting me survive that one, for sure. 385 00:19:40,843 --> 00:19:42,093 [laughs] 386 00:19:44,313 --> 00:19:48,823 [narrator] Kassa has only managed a draw against Justus, 387 00:19:49,023 --> 00:19:50,913 he needs to start beating opponents 388 00:19:51,113 --> 00:19:52,743 at Grand Master level soon, 389 00:19:52,933 --> 00:19:56,653 if he wants to stay on track to achieving his goal. 390 00:19:56,853 --> 00:19:59,443 Will the exercise be the key to unlock 391 00:19:59,643 --> 00:20:03,573 the cognitive performance Kassa needs? 392 00:20:03,773 --> 00:20:06,103 [Rich] I figured we'll do some exercises that 393 00:20:06,303 --> 00:20:08,323 are a little bit more fun than just running. 394 00:20:08,523 --> 00:20:09,973 [narrator] His personal trainer, Rich, 395 00:20:10,173 --> 00:20:12,023 is planning to really push him 396 00:20:12,213 --> 00:20:13,893 in today's session. 397 00:20:14,093 --> 00:20:16,373 [Rich] So, he's gonna be doing some agility ladder 398 00:20:16,573 --> 00:20:18,543 and some jump rope. 399 00:20:18,743 --> 00:20:21,243 It's one of the quickest and easiest ways to get your heartrate up. 400 00:20:21,443 --> 00:20:24,083 I hope Kassa's ready. It's gonna be a good one. 401 00:20:27,443 --> 00:20:30,693 [narrator] Due to pandemic restrictions, and also catching Covid... 402 00:20:30,893 --> 00:20:32,563 [Rich] Hey! 403 00:20:32,763 --> 00:20:35,343 [narrator] ... Kassa has had to side-line exercise 404 00:20:35,543 --> 00:20:37,653 - for almost two years. - [Rich] There we go. 405 00:20:37,853 --> 00:20:41,703 [Kassa] Over the next several weeks, I'm gonna be very sedentary. 406 00:20:41,903 --> 00:20:44,183 I'm gonna be sitting down playing chess, 407 00:20:44,383 --> 00:20:46,273 four-hour, five-hour games. 408 00:20:46,473 --> 00:20:48,183 [Rich] Alright, let's do it. 409 00:20:48,383 --> 00:20:50,013 Yeah, perfect. Perfect. 410 00:20:50,213 --> 00:20:53,363 [narrator] Since starting the study a few weeks ago, 411 00:20:53,563 --> 00:20:57,413 Kassa is now exercising regularly with Rich. 412 00:20:57,613 --> 00:20:59,893 The value of doing something active 413 00:21:00,093 --> 00:21:02,113 and in-person sessions with Rich is really important. 414 00:21:02,313 --> 00:21:07,203 Three, two, one. Relax. 415 00:21:07,403 --> 00:21:10,903 And I can, kind of, ease into it, instead of cramming for the test. 416 00:21:11,103 --> 00:21:14,123 - I'm out of breath. - Yeah. Well, it's also good. 417 00:21:14,323 --> 00:21:16,473 - I'm compromised, I can tell. - Yeah. 418 00:21:16,673 --> 00:21:17,693 'Cause I shouldn't be tired. 419 00:21:17,893 --> 00:21:19,523 - Yeah. - It's gonna be a lot of that 420 00:21:19,723 --> 00:21:21,223 - the next few weeks. - Exactly. 421 00:21:21,413 --> 00:21:23,913 It's not a game. 422 00:21:24,113 --> 00:21:25,933 [mellow music playing] 423 00:21:28,633 --> 00:21:31,013 [narrator] It's 5:30 in the morning, 424 00:21:31,213 --> 00:21:35,273 and Ben Pridmore finds himself in unfamiliar surroundings, 425 00:21:35,473 --> 00:21:37,713 back at the track with Jeff. 426 00:21:37,913 --> 00:21:40,153 [Jeff] We'll do just a bit of mobility. 427 00:21:40,353 --> 00:21:42,503 Imagine you've got a big hula hoop. 428 00:21:42,703 --> 00:21:45,023 [narrator] He will be combining training sessions 429 00:21:45,223 --> 00:21:46,593 and his own exercise 430 00:21:46,793 --> 00:21:48,203 from this point onwards. 431 00:21:48,403 --> 00:21:50,423 It's all very new for a man 432 00:21:50,623 --> 00:21:53,033 who's never exerted himself. 433 00:21:53,233 --> 00:21:55,083 I don't really think there is a link 434 00:21:55,273 --> 00:21:58,513 between how fit your body is physically and how fit your mind is. 435 00:21:58,713 --> 00:22:01,913 Dropping the back knee down to the floor. 436 00:22:02,113 --> 00:22:04,303 [Ben laughing] 437 00:22:04,503 --> 00:22:05,833 [Ben] I have no idea how I'd do that. 438 00:22:06,023 --> 00:22:08,093 It's an interesting challenge, 439 00:22:08,293 --> 00:22:10,533 exercising my body, 'cause it's something I haven't done before. 440 00:22:10,723 --> 00:22:12,353 [Jeff] Bring the other arm in. 441 00:22:12,553 --> 00:22:14,313 [Ben] I saw something someone wrote about me on the Internet. 442 00:22:14,513 --> 00:22:16,233 It was when I lost a memory competition to a monkey, 443 00:22:16,433 --> 00:22:17,453 which is a whole different story, 444 00:22:17,643 --> 00:22:19,103 but-- and he says, 445 00:22:19,303 --> 00:22:21,673 "I went to school with this guy called Ben Pridmore. 446 00:22:21,873 --> 00:22:23,543 He wasn't a great hit with the girls, 447 00:22:23,743 --> 00:22:26,893 mainly because he had brains oozing out of every orifice". 448 00:22:27,093 --> 00:22:30,113 I really like that description of me as a teenager. 449 00:22:30,313 --> 00:22:31,593 [Jeff] That's it, that's it. You've got it. 450 00:22:31,793 --> 00:22:33,593 [narrator] Ben will need to get 451 00:22:33,793 --> 00:22:37,833 the right gear at the very least, if he's hoping to improve. 452 00:22:40,263 --> 00:22:43,523 [salesman] So, basically, what we're doing is we're gonna do a gait analysis, 453 00:22:43,713 --> 00:22:45,213 just so we can see if there is any movement 454 00:22:45,413 --> 00:22:46,613 your knees, your ankles 455 00:22:46,803 --> 00:22:47,563 - react when you're walking, - Yeah. 456 00:22:47,763 --> 00:22:49,833 jogging, running. 457 00:22:50,023 --> 00:22:51,443 - So, if I give you these... - [narrator] In just three months, 458 00:22:51,643 --> 00:22:54,093 Ben will be competing against the world's best 459 00:22:54,293 --> 00:22:57,493 at the Mind Sport Olympiad, in London. 460 00:22:57,683 --> 00:22:59,273 [Ben] I don't even know how to tie shoelaces anymore. 461 00:22:59,473 --> 00:23:00,883 Look, I wear slippers all the time. 462 00:23:01,083 --> 00:23:03,933 [narrator] Hoping for a spot on the podium. 463 00:23:04,133 --> 00:23:05,013 [salesman] So, have you ever been on a treadmill? 464 00:23:05,213 --> 00:23:06,233 Feel comfortable on a treadmill? 465 00:23:06,433 --> 00:23:08,283 [Ben] I've never been on a treadmill. 466 00:23:08,483 --> 00:23:09,853 [salesman] So, do you wanna just clip that to the bottom of your t-shirt? 467 00:23:10,043 --> 00:23:11,463 Then if it does go wrong, 468 00:23:11,663 --> 00:23:13,503 it's just a dead switch, so it'll cut off straight away. 469 00:23:13,703 --> 00:23:16,073 - Don't worry. - I'm sorry, we're talking about exercise 470 00:23:16,273 --> 00:23:17,683 and you're throwing in the word "dead". 471 00:23:17,883 --> 00:23:19,813 [salesman] So, just hold on while you get going, 472 00:23:20,013 --> 00:23:22,293 'cause it does catch you off guard a little bit. 473 00:23:22,493 --> 00:23:23,823 - Sorry. - No, you're alright. 474 00:23:24,023 --> 00:23:26,043 [Ben] I don't feel terribly natural here. 475 00:23:26,233 --> 00:23:28,083 [salesman] Yeah, no, if you've never been on one, they are extremely weird. 476 00:23:28,283 --> 00:23:31,213 You just stay there, it'll only be a quick recording. 477 00:23:31,413 --> 00:23:34,223 It'd better be. I'm liable to drop dead if I exercise too much. 478 00:23:34,423 --> 00:23:35,973 I'm almost certain. 479 00:23:38,023 --> 00:23:40,963 It was in 1997 480 00:23:41,163 --> 00:23:44,233 that I first heard there was such a thing as memory competitions, 481 00:23:44,433 --> 00:23:46,403 and it was all part of the Mind Sports Olympiad, 482 00:23:46,603 --> 00:23:49,233 and I went along to the first one of those. 483 00:23:49,433 --> 00:23:51,713 I went there mainly for what they call the World Intelligence Championships, 484 00:23:51,913 --> 00:23:53,723 which was a, sort of, epic five-day competition 485 00:23:53,913 --> 00:23:56,283 of doing lots of different IQ tests. 486 00:23:56,483 --> 00:23:58,333 I have an IQ of 159, 487 00:23:58,533 --> 00:24:00,943 and incidentally that's a really high number. 488 00:24:01,143 --> 00:24:04,203 I usually have to spell that out to some people, obviously. 489 00:24:04,403 --> 00:24:05,903 There was a big feature about 490 00:24:06,103 --> 00:24:08,863 this new cool thing, the Mind Sports Olympiad. 491 00:24:09,063 --> 00:24:11,603 It was thrilling to discover a new skill. 492 00:24:11,803 --> 00:24:13,263 From that point on, to be perfectly honest, 493 00:24:13,463 --> 00:24:15,563 I was hooked by memory competitions. 494 00:24:15,763 --> 00:24:18,003 [salesman] Do you get any pains or anything, when you walk for long periods of time? 495 00:24:18,203 --> 00:24:19,353 [Ben] No, I don't. 496 00:24:19,553 --> 00:24:21,573 If you've not got any problems 497 00:24:21,773 --> 00:24:23,353 or any pains or any niggles, 498 00:24:23,553 --> 00:24:26,313 then I'd be happy to keep you in a neutral shoe. 499 00:24:26,513 --> 00:24:27,923 - Cool. - ...how you walk in them. 500 00:24:28,123 --> 00:24:30,143 Well, you're the expert. I'll go with that. 501 00:24:30,343 --> 00:24:31,883 [narrator] Memory man Ben 502 00:24:32,083 --> 00:24:35,323 is so well respected in the field of mind athletics 503 00:24:35,523 --> 00:24:38,503 that there's even a system for memorising cards 504 00:24:38,703 --> 00:24:40,463 named after him. 505 00:24:40,663 --> 00:24:43,503 [Ben] So, the basic idea of what came to be known as the Ben System, 506 00:24:43,703 --> 00:24:46,773 I have a picture in my head for each pair of cards. 507 00:24:46,973 --> 00:24:49,213 So, I have 26 images 508 00:24:49,403 --> 00:24:50,993 of people and objects that are created 509 00:24:51,193 --> 00:24:53,693 by the order that this pack happens to be shuffled in, 510 00:24:53,893 --> 00:24:56,043 and I make a story out of them. 511 00:24:56,243 --> 00:24:58,433 So, for example, the first two cards here, 512 00:24:58,633 --> 00:25:01,093 it's the king of spades and the seven of hearts. 513 00:25:01,293 --> 00:25:04,353 The combination of suits give you a first syllable for the word. 514 00:25:04,553 --> 00:25:06,353 Spades, hearts makes a "shh" sound. 515 00:25:06,553 --> 00:25:08,443 The king, for the first card, 516 00:25:08,643 --> 00:25:11,233 is an R sound, the second for the second is a "cuh", 517 00:25:11,433 --> 00:25:14,323 so king of spades and seven of hearts is a shark. 518 00:25:14,523 --> 00:25:17,153 And it goes on like that, with a fur coat, 519 00:25:17,353 --> 00:25:21,763 a howler monkey, a rat, a key fob. 520 00:25:21,963 --> 00:25:23,763 This system I thought up, I didn't give it a name, 521 00:25:23,963 --> 00:25:26,463 but everybody started calling it the "Ben System". 522 00:25:26,663 --> 00:25:28,553 And I said, "That's a stupid thing to call it. 523 00:25:28,753 --> 00:25:30,033 It makes me sound horribly big-headed. 524 00:25:30,233 --> 00:25:31,683 Please don't call it that." 525 00:25:31,883 --> 00:25:32,993 And then they stopped calling it that. 526 00:25:33,193 --> 00:25:35,253 So, I found that I missed it, 527 00:25:35,453 --> 00:25:37,303 so I said, "Yeah, well, alright, 528 00:25:37,503 --> 00:25:39,563 you can go ahead and call it the Ben System if you really want to." 529 00:25:39,763 --> 00:25:41,873 So, it's been the Ben System ever since, 530 00:25:42,073 --> 00:25:45,263 and though I pretend I don't like it, I do think it's really quite cool. 531 00:25:45,463 --> 00:25:48,133 Great Heap from Fraggle Rock being prodded by a Maori, 532 00:25:48,333 --> 00:25:51,223 watched by Graham Gooch, and given a coin to 533 00:25:51,423 --> 00:25:54,013 King Hiss from He Man. 534 00:25:54,213 --> 00:25:57,103 Talking to one interesting person about his images, 535 00:25:57,303 --> 00:25:58,973 he said, "Yeah, there's got to be lots of blood, 536 00:25:59,173 --> 00:26:02,163 lots of gore, so I can remember it properly." 537 00:26:04,033 --> 00:26:05,933 Other people talk about having a lot of sex in there. 538 00:26:06,133 --> 00:26:08,113 For me, it's cartoons more than anything else. 539 00:26:08,313 --> 00:26:10,033 Cartoon violence at the worst, 540 00:26:10,223 --> 00:26:13,253 but whatever turns you on, I suppose. Whatever you like. 541 00:26:13,453 --> 00:26:16,033 I have to say, there's nothing too 18 certificate 542 00:26:16,233 --> 00:26:17,833 goes on in my mind, funnily enough. 543 00:26:19,793 --> 00:26:21,523 If I put these together, it's lager, obviously, 544 00:26:21,713 --> 00:26:23,473 'cause it makes a "larg" sound, and the first thing I think of is 545 00:26:23,673 --> 00:26:25,013 a pint of lager. 546 00:26:35,853 --> 00:26:37,403 Thanks very much. 547 00:26:37,603 --> 00:26:38,973 Yeah, I'm having good old-fashioned fish, 548 00:26:39,173 --> 00:26:41,103 chips, and mushy peas in a pub. 549 00:26:41,303 --> 00:26:42,983 Nice traditional British food. 550 00:26:44,863 --> 00:26:47,503 Now, the Ben Pridmore theory of dietary rightness, 551 00:26:47,703 --> 00:26:49,463 eat junk food as much as possible. 552 00:26:49,663 --> 00:26:51,633 This is perhaps a bit more refined, 553 00:26:51,833 --> 00:26:53,073 a bit more good for you 554 00:26:53,273 --> 00:26:55,163 than the kind of stuff I normally like to eat. 555 00:26:55,363 --> 00:26:56,513 I've always said to people, 556 00:26:56,713 --> 00:26:59,123 "Live at McDonald's, Burger King, KFC 557 00:26:59,323 --> 00:27:00,863 during memory competitions." 558 00:27:01,063 --> 00:27:02,863 You eat food that makes you feel happy, 559 00:27:03,063 --> 00:27:04,513 it gets your mind working right. 560 00:27:04,713 --> 00:27:06,433 My dad was all about big foods. 561 00:27:06,633 --> 00:27:08,043 He had massive helpings of everything. 562 00:27:08,243 --> 00:27:09,563 Old-fashioned stodgy meals 563 00:27:09,763 --> 00:27:12,263 on a daily basis. 564 00:27:12,463 --> 00:27:14,793 And he died of a heart attack when he was 59, so, you know, 565 00:27:14,993 --> 00:27:18,273 we're not gonna, sort of, go there, I don't think, but... 566 00:27:18,473 --> 00:27:19,833 I've got a lot of respect for my dad. 567 00:27:20,033 --> 00:27:22,143 He was a primary school teacher for most of his life. 568 00:27:22,343 --> 00:27:24,013 I mean, he was the popular figure. 569 00:27:24,213 --> 00:27:26,583 Everywhere we went, everybody knew him. 570 00:27:26,783 --> 00:27:28,283 I mean, we're basically a single family. 571 00:27:28,483 --> 00:27:29,933 My mum was a sort of around, 572 00:27:30,133 --> 00:27:31,413 but they split up when I was nine years old 573 00:27:31,613 --> 00:27:33,333 or so would've from my dad for the most part, 574 00:27:33,533 --> 00:27:36,373 sort of in an isolated village in the middle of nowhere. 575 00:27:36,573 --> 00:27:39,073 I still hear nowadays from people he taught at school saying, 576 00:27:39,273 --> 00:27:40,903 "Yeah, your dad was the best teacher ever." 577 00:27:41,103 --> 00:27:42,993 I absolutely loved him. 578 00:27:43,193 --> 00:27:44,513 I mean, he took care of me and my brother 579 00:27:44,713 --> 00:27:45,863 and we were pretty awful teenagers. 580 00:27:46,063 --> 00:27:47,173 So that's a pretty tough job 581 00:27:47,373 --> 00:27:48,523 single-handedly dealing with it. 582 00:27:48,713 --> 00:27:50,443 And I think he did it admirably. 583 00:27:51,663 --> 00:27:53,093 When I won my trophy at 584 00:27:53,283 --> 00:27:54,613 World Memory Championship, 585 00:27:54,813 --> 00:27:56,963 I came third in 2003, wanted me to get 586 00:27:57,163 --> 00:27:59,003 a professional photo of me done with it. 587 00:27:59,203 --> 00:28:02,493 I took photographers in Boston. I've still got it now. 588 00:28:02,683 --> 00:28:04,203 So he could put some at his mantle place. 589 00:28:07,683 --> 00:28:10,413 I can't think what he would say if he knew I was exercising, 590 00:28:10,613 --> 00:28:12,673 'cause he wasn't the athletic type. 591 00:28:12,873 --> 00:28:15,853 He couldn't run, or do anything physical and he never wanted to, 592 00:28:16,053 --> 00:28:18,333 just sort of laugh and... his eyes or something 593 00:28:18,533 --> 00:28:20,733 and say, "You're always doing something strange." But... 594 00:28:34,143 --> 00:28:36,873 [narrator] Ryoei is finally returning home, 595 00:28:37,073 --> 00:28:39,093 having been apart from his family 596 00:28:39,293 --> 00:28:40,753 for two and a half years. 597 00:29:06,083 --> 00:29:07,693 [popping sounds] 598 00:29:18,183 --> 00:29:20,493 [giggles] 599 00:29:40,863 --> 00:29:42,863 [laughing] 600 00:29:56,873 --> 00:30:01,913 [narrator] Ryoei is referring to the World Riichi Mahjong Championship, 601 00:30:02,113 --> 00:30:05,173 taking place in Vienna in three months' time. 602 00:30:05,373 --> 00:30:08,153 [indistinct conversations] 603 00:30:11,153 --> 00:30:13,313 [narrator] He now has to juggle exercise 604 00:30:13,513 --> 00:30:16,943 alongside his family and work commitments. 605 00:30:20,113 --> 00:30:23,373 This is Ryoei's first personal training session 606 00:30:23,563 --> 00:30:26,293 since arriving back in Tokyo. 607 00:31:31,323 --> 00:31:33,623 - [laughs] - [groans] 608 00:31:36,283 --> 00:31:38,193 [panting] 609 00:32:09,833 --> 00:32:13,003 [narrator] Since missing out on the main stage in Chicago, 610 00:32:13,203 --> 00:32:17,523 Sherry has been focussing on her new exercise programme. 611 00:32:17,723 --> 00:32:23,093 She's preparing for this year's most challenging tournament. 612 00:32:23,293 --> 00:32:28,233 [Sherry] Evo is the biggest fighting game tournament to ever exist. 613 00:32:28,433 --> 00:32:29,973 That is a tournament where if you win it, 614 00:32:30,173 --> 00:32:32,103 you can literally call yourself the best in the world, 615 00:32:32,303 --> 00:32:36,283 because everyone in the world comes and plays at Evo. 616 00:32:36,483 --> 00:32:38,633 All of Europe, Japan to Korea, 617 00:32:38,833 --> 00:32:40,553 Australia even, China. 618 00:32:40,753 --> 00:32:43,773 All these incredible players come out, 619 00:32:43,973 --> 00:32:45,643 just for Street Fighter. 620 00:32:45,843 --> 00:32:49,033 It's a huge tournament, 621 00:32:49,233 --> 00:32:53,993 and I think my best placing at Evo so far was top, like, 256. 622 00:32:54,193 --> 00:32:56,013 Oh, my lord. 623 00:33:03,193 --> 00:33:05,053 [Pam] You got it. 624 00:33:05,253 --> 00:33:08,573 [narrator] Hoping it sharpens her mind in time for the Evo tournament, 625 00:33:08,773 --> 00:33:11,623 Sherry is following a physical exercise programme 626 00:33:11,823 --> 00:33:13,843 created by her trainer, Pam. 627 00:33:14,043 --> 00:33:17,583 Because she was marginally fitter to begin with, 628 00:33:17,783 --> 00:33:20,413 Pam is able to push Sherry further, 629 00:33:20,613 --> 00:33:24,073 in the hope that it will improve her gaming. 630 00:33:24,273 --> 00:33:26,593 [Pam] Good, and then squeeze the glutes. Nice. 631 00:33:26,793 --> 00:33:29,293 Sherry's doing great. She's easy to coach, 632 00:33:29,493 --> 00:33:31,383 she doesn't give me a hard time, she doesn't complain. 633 00:33:31,583 --> 00:33:32,603 She does the work. 634 00:33:32,803 --> 00:33:34,573 ...vertical. Yeah, come up. 635 00:33:36,143 --> 00:33:38,013 Four. You got this. 636 00:33:39,233 --> 00:33:42,493 Three, four. 637 00:33:44,193 --> 00:33:46,183 One more. Swing those arms. 638 00:33:46,383 --> 00:33:47,833 - Done. - [chuckles] 639 00:33:48,033 --> 00:33:49,883 - Nice work! - Thank you. 640 00:33:50,083 --> 00:33:51,663 You brought structure into my life, 641 00:33:51,863 --> 00:33:53,533 and I feel like that wasn't a thing before. 642 00:33:53,733 --> 00:33:55,403 But you, kind of give me the confidence in myself. 643 00:33:55,603 --> 00:33:57,363 That helps me, because 644 00:33:57,563 --> 00:34:00,283 all those moments always happen when I'm competing. 645 00:34:00,483 --> 00:34:02,153 In order to get through that, there has to be 646 00:34:02,353 --> 00:34:04,593 the confidence to trust myself and say, 647 00:34:04,793 --> 00:34:06,603 "You know you can do it. Like, this is it." 648 00:34:16,313 --> 00:34:21,213 [narrator] Memory man, Ben, is embracing movement like never before, 649 00:34:21,413 --> 00:34:24,453 as the Mind Sport Olympiad approaches. 650 00:34:26,663 --> 00:34:28,483 [Ben] It started out with ten-minute walks. 651 00:34:28,683 --> 00:34:30,573 It's gone up to 15, and now it's moving up to 20. 652 00:34:30,773 --> 00:34:34,313 We'll be branching out a bit further into 25, 30. 653 00:34:34,513 --> 00:34:36,883 I'm feeling actually really enthusiastic about the whole thing, 654 00:34:37,083 --> 00:34:39,103 enjoying the training, the workouts. 655 00:34:39,303 --> 00:34:40,933 You know, the skin-tight clothes, 656 00:34:41,133 --> 00:34:42,283 it's not exactly my thing, 657 00:34:42,483 --> 00:34:43,973 but they're growing to become a part of me. 658 00:34:44,173 --> 00:34:46,773 Hopefully, not in a scary science fiction kind of way. 659 00:34:49,513 --> 00:34:52,373 I don't think my body feels different at all. 660 00:34:52,573 --> 00:34:54,253 I think I've been working out my muscles a bit. 661 00:34:54,443 --> 00:34:56,033 I've been doing push-ups and things, 662 00:34:56,233 --> 00:34:57,683 stretching exercises, 663 00:34:57,883 --> 00:35:02,303 bending my body in ways it doesn't normally bend. 664 00:35:02,503 --> 00:35:05,523 I can't say I've noticed any difference mentally speaking. 665 00:35:05,723 --> 00:35:07,393 I think the whole physical thing is still very separate 666 00:35:07,593 --> 00:35:10,223 from the whole brain development. 667 00:35:10,423 --> 00:35:12,523 Maybe it's got me a generally more positive attitude, 668 00:35:12,723 --> 00:35:14,703 and that could contribute to better performances 669 00:35:14,903 --> 00:35:18,573 in mind sports, at least theoretically. 670 00:35:18,773 --> 00:35:22,663 I like the app I've got, which tells me every five minutes how far I've gone, 671 00:35:22,863 --> 00:35:25,063 what my time for a mile is, all that kind of thing. 672 00:35:25,263 --> 00:35:29,543 It's exciting. I try to improve my time as I go along. 673 00:35:29,743 --> 00:35:32,073 I'm a nerd, let's face it, and I'm an accountant, 674 00:35:32,263 --> 00:35:33,983 and I like Excel spreadsheets. 675 00:35:34,183 --> 00:35:36,333 I like little charts that you can generate, 676 00:35:36,533 --> 00:35:39,123 I like to see a load of numbers, and this is wonderful. 677 00:35:39,323 --> 00:35:43,083 It gives you a lot of different charts showing how far I've walked, 678 00:35:43,283 --> 00:35:44,903 what my records were. 679 00:35:45,103 --> 00:35:46,733 The data keeps me going, you know. 680 00:35:46,933 --> 00:35:49,823 I'm not really so motivated by getting fit. 681 00:35:50,023 --> 00:35:51,653 [chuckles] 682 00:35:51,853 --> 00:35:54,173 Any benefits I might have accrued from it is incidental 683 00:35:54,373 --> 00:35:57,233 to having good numbers on the charts in front of me. 684 00:36:04,763 --> 00:36:07,323 [narrator] After his two-and-a-half years away, 685 00:36:07,523 --> 00:36:09,893 Ryoei is reconnecting with his children. 686 00:36:10,083 --> 00:36:13,193 He's teaching them how to play Mahjong. 687 00:36:13,393 --> 00:36:15,823 Something he did when he was very young. 688 00:36:36,013 --> 00:36:38,453 and... yeah. 689 00:37:36,683 --> 00:37:39,193 [narrator] With the prospect of Vienna looming, 690 00:37:39,393 --> 00:37:43,893 Ryoei will need stiffer competition to practice against than his children, 691 00:37:44,093 --> 00:37:48,693 so he's also returning to play against professional players. 692 00:38:06,933 --> 00:38:11,283 [narrator] Today, he's in Central Tokyo, for some serious practice. 693 00:38:17,723 --> 00:38:19,033 [laughs] 694 00:38:35,483 --> 00:38:38,733 [narrator] Mahjong is a mental battle of wills, 695 00:38:38,933 --> 00:38:40,863 psychologically challenging, 696 00:38:41,063 --> 00:38:44,793 with an intensity likened to poker. 697 00:38:57,983 --> 00:39:01,543 [narrator] It's a four-player game originating from China, 698 00:39:01,733 --> 00:39:03,583 and brought to Japan in the 1920s, 699 00:39:03,783 --> 00:39:07,953 where it was adapted and named Riichi Mahjong. 700 00:39:11,303 --> 00:39:15,163 A Mahjong game can last up to six hours. 701 00:39:15,363 --> 00:39:19,423 Ryoei is hoping that the more exercise he does, 702 00:39:19,623 --> 00:39:22,993 the more it will improve his focus and concentration, 703 00:39:23,193 --> 00:39:26,403 giving him a better chance of winning in Vienna. 704 00:39:31,233 --> 00:39:34,613 [upbeat music playing] 705 00:39:34,813 --> 00:39:36,573 [Rich] There it is. Oh! Oh! Oh! 706 00:39:36,773 --> 00:39:38,883 [narrator] With the tournaments fast approaching... 707 00:39:39,083 --> 00:39:40,923 [Rich] You got it. One more. 708 00:39:41,123 --> 00:39:43,803 [narrator] ...the gamers are all making physical progress... 709 00:39:43,993 --> 00:39:45,753 [Pam] Okay, now keep your chest up. 710 00:39:45,953 --> 00:39:48,893 [narrator] ...getting fitter and stronger as time passes. 711 00:39:49,093 --> 00:39:50,933 [Pam] Yeah! 712 00:39:51,133 --> 00:39:54,203 [narrator] The question is, how much will these improvements 713 00:39:54,403 --> 00:39:58,133 help them when it comes to their competitive goals? 714 00:40:08,313 --> 00:40:11,693 It's three months into Kassa's participation in the study 715 00:40:11,893 --> 00:40:16,393 and it's the next tournament in his busy summer program. 716 00:40:16,593 --> 00:40:19,923 Kassa has turned over a new leaf, 717 00:40:20,123 --> 00:40:22,013 and he's maximizing exercise 718 00:40:22,213 --> 00:40:25,973 to help him beat a Grand Master, for ultimate points. 719 00:40:26,173 --> 00:40:29,013 [Kassa] I'm a city slicker, so being up here, you know, 720 00:40:29,213 --> 00:40:32,023 beautiful scenery and nature is just incredible. 721 00:40:32,223 --> 00:40:35,243 Running, exercising, it actually felt a little bit easier, 722 00:40:35,443 --> 00:40:38,333 even though maybe theoretically it should feel harder, 723 00:40:38,533 --> 00:40:41,553 'cause it's, like, very different to what I'm used to. 724 00:40:41,753 --> 00:40:44,603 Everywhere you look there's, like, an element of fascination, so it's like, 725 00:40:44,793 --> 00:40:47,163 "Oh, let's run toward this," or, "What am I looking at here?" 726 00:40:47,363 --> 00:40:51,473 It was just so beautiful. 727 00:40:51,673 --> 00:40:55,263 It's just very therapeutic, exercising up in the Swiss mountains. 728 00:40:55,463 --> 00:40:57,323 That is incredible. 729 00:40:58,843 --> 00:41:01,263 - What up, Rich? [laughs] - [Rich] Yo! 730 00:41:01,463 --> 00:41:03,403 [Rich, over phone] How you doing? 731 00:41:03,603 --> 00:41:06,013 Man, I got my sprints in, I'm working the cardio, feeling pretty good. 732 00:41:06,213 --> 00:41:08,793 Definitely, like, higher altitude, 733 00:41:08,993 --> 00:41:12,363 you feel it a little bit, but all in all, feeling pretty good. 734 00:41:12,563 --> 00:41:14,583 Endurance is key, man. 735 00:41:14,783 --> 00:41:16,673 It's definitely more hard to push it towards the end, right? 736 00:41:16,873 --> 00:41:20,723 Yeah. You know, what we're working on, stamina and endurance basically, 737 00:41:20,923 --> 00:41:24,463 really does contribute to whether I can outlast these games. 738 00:41:24,663 --> 00:41:27,253 But I'm paired up against a Grand Master 739 00:41:27,453 --> 00:41:29,423 and he's, like, a top-50 player in the world, 740 00:41:29,623 --> 00:41:32,953 so it's gonna be a pretty exciting match-up. 741 00:41:33,153 --> 00:41:35,343 And that's why the work is important. 742 00:41:35,543 --> 00:41:38,173 And I hope you win, though. Take that Grand Master. 743 00:41:38,373 --> 00:41:43,393 Well, I appreciate it, but I just gotta show you the view. It's crazy. Like... 744 00:41:43,593 --> 00:41:47,453 Oh, man. That is beautiful, my man. I'm jealous. I wish I was there. 745 00:41:55,373 --> 00:41:56,883 [Arturs] Welcome everybody from Biel, 746 00:41:57,083 --> 00:41:58,803 the 55th International Chess Festival 747 00:41:59,003 --> 00:42:01,023 has reached another day 748 00:42:01,223 --> 00:42:06,423 in this beautiful, very sunny Biel Bienne city of Switzerland. 749 00:42:06,623 --> 00:42:10,463 Today, I see there is one interesting game which caught my eye. 750 00:42:10,663 --> 00:42:13,383 So, Kassa Korley is an international master. 751 00:42:13,583 --> 00:42:18,303 We might see an upset in the making. 752 00:42:18,503 --> 00:42:23,393 [narrator] Kassa is revved up and ready to take on this Grand Master. 753 00:42:23,593 --> 00:42:26,393 [Arturs] He's playing against one of the strongest players in the tournament, 754 00:42:26,593 --> 00:42:29,533 Armenian Grand Master Haik Martirosyan, 755 00:42:29,733 --> 00:42:35,103 widely regarded for his rapid speed skills. 756 00:42:35,303 --> 00:42:38,233 [Kassa] To play Haik Martirosyan doesn't happen every day. 757 00:42:38,433 --> 00:42:41,063 I mean, he's 200-plus points higher rated than me, 758 00:42:41,263 --> 00:42:45,893 and for me mentally, I spent five hours the night before analysing, 759 00:42:46,093 --> 00:42:49,023 but I basically knew I was playing this monster and I was like, 760 00:42:49,223 --> 00:42:51,333 "I'm gonna go even deeper." 761 00:42:51,533 --> 00:42:56,163 Like, I think about winning before the game has actually started. 762 00:42:56,363 --> 00:43:00,643 Uh-oh. He's coming forward. He starts to get aggressive. 763 00:43:00,843 --> 00:43:04,433 This dude is starting to shove his pawns and trying to, like, get at me, 764 00:43:04,633 --> 00:43:07,743 and I'm like, "Is he gonna over extend?" 765 00:43:07,943 --> 00:43:09,043 Like, counterattacking is my thing. 766 00:43:09,243 --> 00:43:10,783 Like, that's what I'm best at. 767 00:43:10,983 --> 00:43:13,613 I'm like, "I'm gonna do this." 768 00:43:13,813 --> 00:43:18,103 I make my move. I surprise him. It's kind of a Korley special. 769 00:43:18,303 --> 00:43:20,143 [Arturs] Very original idea by Kassa Korley. 770 00:43:20,343 --> 00:43:22,273 He's played pretty impressive chess so far. 771 00:43:22,473 --> 00:43:25,453 So, here you already see that something is slightly wrong 772 00:43:25,653 --> 00:43:29,413 with Armenian, Haik Martirosyan's position. 773 00:43:29,613 --> 00:43:33,113 And slowly, Kassa Korley continues to improve his pieces. 774 00:43:33,313 --> 00:43:36,333 So, I guess the only chance that what he has 775 00:43:36,533 --> 00:43:39,603 is go for a successful king-side attack. 776 00:43:39,803 --> 00:43:42,293 On the verge to score and upset. 777 00:43:42,493 --> 00:43:45,563 Could be a good upset and big result for Kassa. 778 00:43:45,763 --> 00:43:48,523 [Kassa] You know something? I start to feel very good about my position. 779 00:43:48,723 --> 00:43:50,823 I'm like, "I wanna finish him off, give him no chances. 780 00:43:51,023 --> 00:43:53,173 I'm just gonna calculate my way to the finish." 781 00:43:53,373 --> 00:43:56,793 [Arturs] So, it looks like Kassa has the upper hand right now. 782 00:43:56,993 --> 00:43:59,963 The strong players are very resilient. They don't give up easily, 783 00:44:00,163 --> 00:44:02,533 and that's why they are among the best players in the world. 784 00:44:02,733 --> 00:44:05,803 Martirosyan, he is gonna know at the right moment 785 00:44:06,003 --> 00:44:11,453 how to create a lot of tricks, create a lot of problems, make pressure. 786 00:44:11,653 --> 00:44:15,333 [Kassa] Someone sometimes will play purposely in a more questionable manner, 787 00:44:15,533 --> 00:44:17,683 if they know that you can't handle it. 788 00:44:17,883 --> 00:44:20,943 They're getting up after they move. That's allowed. 789 00:44:21,143 --> 00:44:24,383 But what I find is every time they get back to the board 790 00:44:24,583 --> 00:44:27,213 after walking around, my move is worse. 791 00:44:27,413 --> 00:44:30,693 I'm giving him a chance he did not deserve, 792 00:44:30,893 --> 00:44:35,263 and I sit there and I'm like, "Oh, man, not again." 793 00:44:35,463 --> 00:44:39,183 [narrator] True to form, Kassa has made a late error. 794 00:44:39,383 --> 00:44:43,883 But in this situation, he's managed not to lose. 795 00:44:44,083 --> 00:44:45,973 [Kassa] The best analogy I could give is 796 00:44:46,173 --> 00:44:48,233 I let in a goal in, like, the 87th minute, 797 00:44:48,433 --> 00:44:51,063 and it was a 1-1 draw against a really strong player 798 00:44:51,263 --> 00:44:53,583 who outrated me by, like, 250 points. 799 00:44:53,783 --> 00:44:55,983 You get chances against players that strong, 800 00:44:56,183 --> 00:44:59,153 you really wanna seal the deal. So, it hurts right now. 801 00:44:59,353 --> 00:45:01,293 [narrator] Kassa is collecting points, 802 00:45:01,493 --> 00:45:03,813 but without a victory against a Grand Master, 803 00:45:04,013 --> 00:45:06,163 progress is too slow. 804 00:45:06,363 --> 00:45:10,433 And it's like... I gotta finish. I gotta finish. 805 00:45:10,623 --> 00:45:14,213 [narrator] With just a month until his final tournament in Copenhagen, 806 00:45:14,413 --> 00:45:17,393 it's the last turn of the wheel to see 807 00:45:17,593 --> 00:45:21,933 if the exercise can help him to beat the best. 808 00:45:27,803 --> 00:45:31,013 Almost 6,000 miles away, in LA, 809 00:45:31,213 --> 00:45:36,233 and Sherry's just two weeks from the Evo tournament in Las Vegas. 810 00:45:36,433 --> 00:45:40,673 Exercise makes me feel weirdly, 811 00:45:40,873 --> 00:45:44,113 like, rejuvenated, refreshed. 812 00:45:44,313 --> 00:45:46,293 And it's funny, because you'd think it's the opposite, 813 00:45:46,493 --> 00:45:49,253 because you just exercised, you'd normally be tired. 814 00:45:49,453 --> 00:45:51,903 But I feel like when I do it, especially in the morning, 815 00:45:52,103 --> 00:45:55,783 I'm way more awake for the rest of my day. 816 00:45:55,973 --> 00:45:57,213 - Hi, Sherry. - Hello. 817 00:45:57,413 --> 00:45:59,303 - How are you doing? - Good. How are you? 818 00:45:59,503 --> 00:46:00,653 Good. 819 00:46:00,853 --> 00:46:01,693 - Awesome. - Yeah, ready for this, yes. 820 00:46:01,893 --> 00:46:04,043 Ready for some sprints? 821 00:46:04,243 --> 00:46:06,093 - Yes. - Yeah. 822 00:46:06,293 --> 00:46:09,283 So, all out, everything you've got. 823 00:46:10,323 --> 00:46:13,103 Three, two, one, go. 824 00:46:13,303 --> 00:46:15,843 [Sherry] I usually find it difficult rolling out of bed, 825 00:46:16,043 --> 00:46:17,543 like, getting up at a reasonable time 826 00:46:17,743 --> 00:46:19,283 and getting my day started with work 827 00:46:19,483 --> 00:46:21,193 and everything that I have to do. 828 00:46:21,393 --> 00:46:23,983 [Pam] Yeah, Sherry! Go, go, go! 829 00:46:24,183 --> 00:46:27,633 But when I have to wake up and I'm like, "Okay, at 8:00 a.m., I need to run," 830 00:46:27,833 --> 00:46:30,553 or, "8:00 a.m., I need to meet Pam and do my strength training," 831 00:46:30,753 --> 00:46:34,033 I'm, like, on it. I wake up at 7:30, get ready, I go, finish training 832 00:46:34,233 --> 00:46:37,993 in an hour, running in an hour, and then, like, I just start my day, 833 00:46:38,193 --> 00:46:41,173 with or without a coffee. 834 00:46:41,373 --> 00:46:45,003 Three, two, one, and rest. 835 00:46:45,203 --> 00:46:49,003 [narrator] Pam is pushing Sherry's body harder and harder, 836 00:46:49,203 --> 00:46:53,403 to hopefully maximize the positive effects on her mind. 837 00:46:53,603 --> 00:46:56,313 Sherry, that was perfect. Take a break. 838 00:46:56,513 --> 00:47:00,113 All right, so maybe not as slow as I thought I was gonna be. 839 00:47:04,683 --> 00:47:06,503 [Jeff] We'll start with the Cooper test. 840 00:47:06,703 --> 00:47:09,203 Twelve minutes. Again, as far as you can. 841 00:47:09,403 --> 00:47:14,723 [narrator] With the prospect of competing at the Mind Sport Olympiad in two weeks... 842 00:47:14,923 --> 00:47:17,993 First assessment you covered just over two laps of here, 843 00:47:18,193 --> 00:47:19,773 which was about 805 meters. 844 00:47:19,973 --> 00:47:22,913 [narrator] ...Ben is hoping that his dedication to exercise 845 00:47:23,113 --> 00:47:27,213 is giving him the edge he needs to get on the podium. 846 00:47:27,413 --> 00:47:30,483 I have no doubt you're gonna cover more than that now. Are you ready? 847 00:47:30,683 --> 00:47:33,533 As ready as I'll ever be. 848 00:47:33,723 --> 00:47:35,093 [automated voice on app] Activity started. 849 00:47:35,293 --> 00:47:36,573 Let's go. 850 00:47:36,773 --> 00:47:39,843 [upbeat music plating] 851 00:47:40,043 --> 00:47:44,103 [Jeff] His commitment to the program has been absolutely spot on. 852 00:47:44,303 --> 00:47:46,713 He's not missed a single workout. 853 00:47:46,913 --> 00:47:51,893 Remember the points that we spoke about. Arms driving backwards. 854 00:47:52,093 --> 00:47:54,113 Nice tall posture. 855 00:47:54,313 --> 00:47:55,903 Shoulders nice and relaxed. 856 00:47:56,093 --> 00:47:57,723 [Ben panting] 857 00:47:57,923 --> 00:48:00,423 Each week, he's coming on leaps and bounds, literally, 858 00:48:00,623 --> 00:48:02,643 in terms of his confidence levels 859 00:48:02,843 --> 00:48:05,643 and the distances and the paces that he's managing to achieve. 860 00:48:05,843 --> 00:48:08,653 Eight minutes, that's two-thirds. 861 00:48:08,853 --> 00:48:11,353 Obviously you're not really gonna be able 862 00:48:11,543 --> 00:48:14,483 to hit PBs on every single activity that you do. 863 00:48:14,683 --> 00:48:17,133 Ben may be proving that wrong now and again, 864 00:48:17,333 --> 00:48:21,753 by hitting so many. But, yeah, it's been absolutely amazing 865 00:48:21,953 --> 00:48:24,023 watching his progress over the last few weeks. 866 00:48:25,503 --> 00:48:29,063 Great work. Keep the pace going. 867 00:48:29,263 --> 00:48:31,503 Jeff's been awesome all the way through. 868 00:48:31,703 --> 00:48:35,503 He's been giving me guidance on, you know, teaching me how to walk. 869 00:48:35,703 --> 00:48:38,373 Sounds strange, but it's actually helped quite a lot 870 00:48:38,573 --> 00:48:41,163 to make me walk more comfortably and fitter. 871 00:48:41,363 --> 00:48:45,513 [Jeff] Last two minutes coming up. Dig in for that final push. 872 00:48:45,713 --> 00:48:47,993 I probably couldn't have done it without him. 873 00:48:48,193 --> 00:48:52,343 It's like having someone there to cheer you on and drive you a bit faster. 874 00:48:52,543 --> 00:48:56,303 And stop there. Well done. 875 00:48:56,503 --> 00:49:00,353 Second part of the assessment now, the maximum push-ups. 876 00:49:00,553 --> 00:49:03,983 Um, the first time round, you did five. 877 00:49:10,853 --> 00:49:13,123 That's it, good effort, keep pushing 'em. 878 00:49:22,653 --> 00:49:26,073 One more, one more. Go on, you can do it. One more. Push. 879 00:49:26,273 --> 00:49:27,993 And another? 880 00:49:28,193 --> 00:49:29,163 [groans] No. 881 00:49:29,363 --> 00:49:32,643 - Well done. Great work. - [laughs] 882 00:49:32,843 --> 00:49:35,403 [Ben] That was 20 by my count. [sighs] 883 00:49:54,423 --> 00:49:55,493 [giggles] 884 00:49:55,693 --> 00:49:57,453 [narrator] It's just weeks away 885 00:49:57,653 --> 00:50:02,673 from Ryoei's big Riichi Mahjong showdown in Vienna. 886 00:50:02,873 --> 00:50:05,593 In an attempt to balance all his responsibilities, 887 00:50:05,793 --> 00:50:10,223 Ryoei's started combining parenting with exercising. 888 00:51:00,663 --> 00:51:03,183 [techno music playing] 889 00:51:08,193 --> 00:51:12,003 [narrator] It's the biggest day in the memory athletics calendar. 890 00:51:12,203 --> 00:51:16,403 the International Mind Sport Olympiad. 891 00:51:16,603 --> 00:51:22,103 If you're a games player, this is the Mecca of games, really. 892 00:51:22,303 --> 00:51:25,413 What's cool about the Mind Sports Olympiad is everyone's welcome. 893 00:51:25,613 --> 00:51:28,853 Lots of different types of people. It's also a very neuro-diverse community. 894 00:51:29,053 --> 00:51:32,423 [narrator] After an 18-year absence from this tournament, 895 00:51:32,623 --> 00:51:37,423 Ben is returning to compete in the speed memory competition 896 00:51:37,623 --> 00:51:42,693 to see if he can get back on the podium. 897 00:51:42,893 --> 00:51:46,043 [Ben] It's fantastic to be back, and this has always been a very high point 898 00:51:46,243 --> 00:51:47,873 of the Ben Pridmore social calendar, yeah. 899 00:51:48,073 --> 00:51:49,743 It's great to catch up with everyone. 900 00:51:49,943 --> 00:51:52,133 - Nick, you looking for me? - Yes, no, it's fine. 901 00:51:52,333 --> 00:51:53,483 Good. 902 00:51:53,683 --> 00:51:55,613 It does get me giddy and excited. I love it. 903 00:51:55,813 --> 00:51:59,533 [narrator] Ben is something of a legend in this environment. 904 00:51:59,733 --> 00:52:02,193 - Hey, great to see you both. - You're the star. 905 00:52:02,383 --> 00:52:04,273 [laughs] I'm the big celebrity star, I know. 906 00:52:04,473 --> 00:52:09,193 Ninety percent of the people say that he's one of the best ones 907 00:52:09,393 --> 00:52:15,683 at the very beginning of the sport and that he's a legend. 908 00:52:15,883 --> 00:52:19,333 But, you know, for the purpose of the TV camera, I'm a fellow competitor. 909 00:52:19,533 --> 00:52:21,163 And we're all very excited about it. 910 00:52:21,363 --> 00:52:23,643 - I'm just happy to be here. - Cool. 911 00:52:23,843 --> 00:52:26,993 People do approach me with a kind of reverence at these competitions. 912 00:52:27,193 --> 00:52:28,523 Everyone knows Nick the Greek, yeah. 913 00:52:28,713 --> 00:52:32,083 And we've got Claus. Not Greek, probably German. 914 00:52:32,283 --> 00:52:33,653 [chatters] 915 00:52:33,853 --> 00:52:36,443 People have this great respect for me, just because 916 00:52:36,643 --> 00:52:39,483 of what I achieved many, many, many years ago. 917 00:52:39,683 --> 00:52:42,793 I think my legacy still remains intact despite all that. 918 00:52:42,993 --> 00:52:45,363 I'm, like, usually stressed out about it. 919 00:52:45,563 --> 00:52:48,583 We're all very excited about it. So, cool. 920 00:52:48,783 --> 00:52:51,283 [Etan] Ben is certainly a real nerd, 921 00:52:51,483 --> 00:52:52,543 there's no doubt about that, a real geek. 922 00:52:52,743 --> 00:52:54,243 Let me find Etan. 923 00:52:54,443 --> 00:52:56,723 [Etan] You know, he's what we love about geeks. 924 00:52:56,923 --> 00:52:59,633 Here's someone who has just an absolute love of learning. 925 00:52:59,833 --> 00:53:01,513 Welcome back. It's been too long. 926 00:53:01,703 --> 00:53:02,773 Fantastic. It has been much too long. 927 00:53:02,973 --> 00:53:04,423 I love the shirt. 928 00:53:04,623 --> 00:53:06,953 This is the officially designed by a fellow competitor 929 00:53:07,143 --> 00:53:10,733 Him winning the World Championship, I believe three times... 930 00:53:10,933 --> 00:53:16,043 ...also shows that you don't have to be ruthless to be a champion. 931 00:53:16,243 --> 00:53:19,133 If you were a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, which one would you be? 932 00:53:19,333 --> 00:53:21,703 Donatello was the coolest, everyone knows that. He's the clever one. 933 00:53:21,903 --> 00:53:24,143 - [laughs] - Donatello. I like it. 934 00:53:24,343 --> 00:53:26,313 I have a very limited idea of who's competing 935 00:53:26,513 --> 00:53:28,233 in this competition, unfortunately. 936 00:53:28,433 --> 00:53:30,583 Have you got a list of competitors for the memory competition? 937 00:53:30,783 --> 00:53:32,803 We've got-- 938 00:53:33,003 --> 00:53:34,583 'Cause one of them told me his name, it was just sort of, string of noises, 939 00:53:34,783 --> 00:53:36,373 and I've got no idea how to say it. 940 00:53:36,573 --> 00:53:39,853 I know we have Suzanna from Germany. She's really quite good. 941 00:53:40,053 --> 00:53:41,893 She's going to be quite a challenge to me. 942 00:53:42,093 --> 00:53:43,683 Quite possibly going to be dangerous. 943 00:53:43,883 --> 00:53:46,203 Suzanna, how have you been doing? All prepared, ready? 944 00:53:46,403 --> 00:53:47,993 I think you might be a favourite for today. 945 00:53:48,193 --> 00:53:49,383 I'm not sure. 946 00:53:49,583 --> 00:53:51,993 Suzanna is strong. Strong card, absolutely. 947 00:53:52,193 --> 00:53:55,013 Shall we move on up to the competition room, people? 948 00:53:56,273 --> 00:53:57,793 Here we go. 949 00:53:59,753 --> 00:54:02,783 [narrator] The speed memory card competition. 950 00:54:02,983 --> 00:54:05,053 Everyone looks forward to it. 951 00:54:05,253 --> 00:54:07,093 It's just memorizing a single pack of cards as quickly as you can. 952 00:54:07,293 --> 00:54:10,883 Pick it up, whizz through, put it down... what's your time? 953 00:54:11,083 --> 00:54:15,063 [narrator] Competitors must memorize a set of playing cards 954 00:54:15,263 --> 00:54:19,673 prepared by the judges, all in the fastest time possible. 955 00:54:19,873 --> 00:54:21,413 [Nick] It's the clash of Titans. 956 00:54:21,613 --> 00:54:24,413 Everybody's huge brains are going together 957 00:54:24,613 --> 00:54:28,853 and they're clashing. And it's spectacular, you know? 958 00:54:29,053 --> 00:54:31,463 [Ben] Just so we're clear, what's going to happen? 959 00:54:31,663 --> 00:54:34,773 You're going to say one minute mental preparation time, 960 00:54:34,973 --> 00:54:37,303 and then you're going to say, "Ready, steady, go," 961 00:54:37,503 --> 00:54:40,653 and then we will start memorizing? 962 00:54:40,853 --> 00:54:44,743 [narrator] Now's the chance for Ben to return to his former glory 963 00:54:44,943 --> 00:54:47,523 and focus on a place on the podium. 964 00:54:47,723 --> 00:54:49,533 [Ben] Hoping to do a decent score. 965 00:54:49,733 --> 00:54:52,703 I might just get the fastest time out of all the competitors here. 966 00:54:52,903 --> 00:54:56,273 [narrator] Along with the chance to see if his commitment to exercise 967 00:54:56,473 --> 00:54:59,803 has had any impact on his memory skills. 968 00:55:00,003 --> 00:55:03,153 [man] If there is any competitor that I will fear in my life, 969 00:55:03,353 --> 00:55:06,633 that will ruin my career, that's Ben! 970 00:55:06,833 --> 00:55:09,173 [chuckles] The guy's genius. 971 00:55:12,473 --> 00:55:15,743 Ready, steady... 972 00:55:17,873 --> 00:55:18,993 Go. 973 00:55:19,193 --> 00:55:24,303 [intense music playing] 974 00:55:24,503 --> 00:55:27,483 [narrator] Over the course of two rounds, Ben will compete 975 00:55:27,683 --> 00:55:33,023 against the others to memorize packs in as little time as possible. 976 00:55:34,843 --> 00:55:37,623 They must then replicate this order 977 00:55:37,823 --> 00:55:40,793 by recreating it in a second pack of cards, 978 00:55:40,993 --> 00:55:42,983 all from memory. 979 00:55:45,553 --> 00:55:47,243 [sighs] 980 00:55:47,443 --> 00:55:49,983 The competitors will now be adjudicated, 981 00:55:50,183 --> 00:55:53,913 to reveal if the two packs match. 982 00:55:55,743 --> 00:55:58,783 [applause] 983 00:56:05,483 --> 00:56:06,913 - Excellent. - Thank you. 984 00:56:07,113 --> 00:56:09,823 [applause] 985 00:56:10,023 --> 00:56:12,913 [Ben] Very super slowly and carefully. 986 00:56:13,113 --> 00:56:16,193 If I still made a mistake, I'll kill myself. [chuckles] 987 00:56:19,983 --> 00:56:23,183 Second round is always the charm, you know? 988 00:56:23,383 --> 00:56:25,233 [narrator] After a day of memorizing... 989 00:56:25,433 --> 00:56:26,583 Very nice. 990 00:56:26,783 --> 00:56:29,153 [narrator] ...the cards are put away, 991 00:56:29,353 --> 00:56:33,983 and the judges are ready to reveal the results. 992 00:56:34,183 --> 00:56:38,683 [Etan] A very tight competition. We've got Ben Pridmore in bronze. 993 00:56:38,883 --> 00:56:41,733 [narrator] He may not have competed for years, 994 00:56:41,923 --> 00:56:45,033 but the comeback kid has achieved his goal, 995 00:56:45,233 --> 00:56:48,123 and has claimed a place on the podium. 996 00:56:48,323 --> 00:56:49,733 - Congratulations, Ben. - Thank you very much. 997 00:56:49,933 --> 00:56:51,663 Good to see you back on the podium. 998 00:56:55,533 --> 00:56:57,653 [Ben] After a world championship, which goes on for three days, 999 00:56:57,853 --> 00:57:00,533 I always found I have to spend the whole of the next day in bed. 1000 00:57:00,733 --> 00:57:04,053 Maybe because I was in worse condition before I did all of this training. 1001 00:57:04,253 --> 00:57:06,363 I think that's what I've mainly gleaned from it, 1002 00:57:06,563 --> 00:57:09,453 with my stamina and with my general frame of mind. 1003 00:57:09,653 --> 00:57:14,503 I don't feel particularly shattered at the end of this long day's competition, 1004 00:57:14,703 --> 00:57:16,983 I'm buzzing to try to do better at it. 1005 00:57:17,183 --> 00:57:18,893 It's great to be competing again, 1006 00:57:19,093 --> 00:57:21,683 and I know it's something I can build on in the future. 1007 00:57:21,883 --> 00:57:25,223 [indistinct chattering] 1008 00:57:28,313 --> 00:57:31,003 [royal music playing] 1009 00:57:34,013 --> 00:57:38,173 [narrator] It's registration day for the World Riichi Championship, 1010 00:57:38,373 --> 00:57:42,623 in Vienna, and the mahjong royalty are arriving. 1011 00:57:53,333 --> 00:57:56,233 The mood is one of excitement. 1012 00:57:56,433 --> 00:58:00,023 But something is not right. 1013 00:58:00,223 --> 00:58:03,943 Ryoei is nowhere to be seen. 1014 00:58:04,143 --> 00:58:07,773 Despite training for four months for this moment, 1015 00:58:07,973 --> 00:58:13,743 Ryoei has been unable to participate after testing positive for Covid. 1016 00:58:42,553 --> 00:58:44,893 [narrator] Sherry is travelling four hours 1017 00:58:45,093 --> 00:58:48,113 across the Mojave Desert, to Las Vegas, 1018 00:58:48,313 --> 00:58:50,163 to compete in Evo, 1019 00:58:50,363 --> 00:58:53,683 the biggest name in fighting game tournaments worldwide, 1020 00:58:53,883 --> 00:58:58,643 with her goal of making it onto the stage. 1021 00:58:58,843 --> 00:59:00,733 [Sherry] Uh, Evo's important 1022 00:59:00,933 --> 00:59:02,303 because it's the biggest Street Fighter tournament of the year, 1023 00:59:02,503 --> 00:59:05,743 but, uh, but this is the one and only chance 1024 00:59:05,943 --> 00:59:10,573 I get to consolidate all my experience into one big tournament, 1025 00:59:10,773 --> 00:59:13,623 so this is it. 1026 00:59:13,823 --> 00:59:19,323 [narrator] Her four-month physical program has been leading up to this very moment. 1027 00:59:19,523 --> 00:59:22,283 [Sherry] I have so much riding on the line, I think there's this added pressure. 1028 00:59:22,483 --> 00:59:25,893 You start panicking a bit more, and the nervousness sets in a bit more. 1029 00:59:26,093 --> 00:59:28,073 Be like, "What are you so scared about?" 1030 00:59:28,263 --> 00:59:30,603 There's not much else to think about, I just have to do it. 1031 00:59:39,093 --> 00:59:42,083 [narrator] Evo attracts 18,000 people, 1032 00:59:42,283 --> 00:59:46,103 with over 5,000 competing over the three-day event. 1033 00:59:48,713 --> 00:59:49,913 - You good? - [Sherry] Good. 1034 00:59:50,113 --> 00:59:51,183 You played yet? 1035 00:59:51,373 --> 00:59:53,353 I'm about to play. 1036 00:59:53,553 --> 00:59:56,353 [narrator] For her first set of matches at this year's tournament, 1037 00:59:56,553 --> 01:00:00,053 Sherry must beat two opponents in her pool. 1038 01:00:00,253 --> 01:00:04,033 [Sherry] I have to beat two people, and that's when the real games start. 1039 01:00:06,203 --> 01:00:09,593 [man] All right, let's go, Sherry! 1040 01:00:09,783 --> 01:00:12,083 [narrator] It's her first game. 1041 01:00:13,993 --> 01:00:16,603 Sherry's character is on the right. 1042 01:00:17,613 --> 01:00:20,523 [cheering] 1043 01:00:26,013 --> 01:00:28,093 Oh, no. Come on, come on. 1044 01:00:31,583 --> 01:00:33,613 - [Sherry] I won. - Good job. 1045 01:00:33,813 --> 01:00:35,313 [narrator] She has the advantage... 1046 01:00:35,513 --> 01:00:38,373 and gets her first win under her belt. 1047 01:00:43,373 --> 01:00:45,333 [Sherry] I think the next person I play is pretty decent. 1048 01:00:48,423 --> 01:00:51,713 [narrator] Match two. Sherry is playing right of screen. 1049 01:00:51,913 --> 01:00:53,803 Yeah! 1050 01:00:54,003 --> 01:00:56,113 [cheering] 1051 01:00:56,313 --> 01:00:57,893 [man] Knockdown! Good one. 1052 01:00:58,093 --> 01:01:01,463 [intense music playing] 1053 01:01:01,663 --> 01:01:04,643 [man] Oh, man! That's been damaged. 1054 01:01:04,843 --> 01:01:07,613 That's crazy! That's called conditioning! 1055 01:01:09,793 --> 01:01:11,883 [narrator] She dominates. 1056 01:01:13,013 --> 01:01:16,803 [cheering and screaming] 1057 01:01:18,273 --> 01:01:21,003 It's another big victory. 1058 01:01:21,203 --> 01:01:27,183 After winning two games, Sherry has earned her place on the stage. 1059 01:01:27,383 --> 01:01:33,153 Now she has to play her strongest competitor, Nigel E.X., 1060 01:01:33,353 --> 01:01:36,733 whose track record is phenomenal. 1061 01:01:42,393 --> 01:01:45,383 [narrator] And they've got history. 1062 01:01:45,583 --> 01:01:47,293 [Nigel E.X] I knew Sherry for a long time. 1063 01:01:47,493 --> 01:01:50,523 I'm a nice person, just, you get on the sticks, done. 1064 01:01:53,403 --> 01:01:56,343 [man] Let's go, Sherry. 1065 01:01:56,543 --> 01:01:58,563 [Sherry] He is an incredible player. 1066 01:01:58,763 --> 01:02:01,753 I think I do have a good chance against him though. 1067 01:02:12,763 --> 01:02:14,813 Oh, God. All right, let's do this. 1068 01:02:16,943 --> 01:02:22,383 - [intense music playing] - [console clicking] 1069 01:02:25,253 --> 01:02:26,523 [man] Relax! 1070 01:02:27,393 --> 01:02:29,043 Let's go! Relax! 1071 01:02:36,533 --> 01:02:38,573 You're good. Just relax! 1072 01:02:44,363 --> 01:02:45,803 Relax! 1073 01:03:04,123 --> 01:03:07,943 [narrator] Sherry is knocked out by Nigel E.X. 1074 01:03:08,143 --> 01:03:13,513 But she has achieved her goal of competing on the big stage. 1075 01:03:13,713 --> 01:03:19,473 With it, her ranking has jumped from 257th to 129th 1076 01:03:19,673 --> 01:03:21,823 out of 5,000. 1077 01:03:22,023 --> 01:03:26,963 And she's one of the highest placed women on the scoreboard. 1078 01:03:27,163 --> 01:03:32,443 All that's left is to hang up the controller and enjoy the attention. 1079 01:03:32,643 --> 01:03:35,233 [Sherry] People don't really think there's a correlation between physical training 1080 01:03:35,423 --> 01:03:38,053 and how you perform, but with the personal training, 1081 01:03:38,253 --> 01:03:40,753 I got stronger, which allows me to play way more 1082 01:03:40,953 --> 01:03:42,493 than I used to without fatigue. 1083 01:03:42,693 --> 01:03:44,363 You're still able to keep yourself calm more, 1084 01:03:44,563 --> 01:03:46,633 and you just make better decisions. 1085 01:03:46,833 --> 01:03:49,373 And, like, my heart doesn't beat as fast, I'm more concentrated, 1086 01:03:49,573 --> 01:03:50,763 I'm able to focus. 1087 01:03:50,963 --> 01:03:52,503 It's given me a lot of discipline, 1088 01:03:52,703 --> 01:03:56,393 and I just perform much better, so it's been great. 1089 01:04:05,093 --> 01:04:09,563 [narrator] Kassa has arrived in Copenhagen for the Obro International. 1090 01:04:09,763 --> 01:04:13,743 His first opponent is a celebrated Grand Master. 1091 01:04:13,943 --> 01:04:18,243 Will this be the victory he's been working towards? 1092 01:04:21,983 --> 01:04:27,103 [Soren] Today, Kassa is playing my big favourite to win this tournament, 1093 01:04:27,303 --> 01:04:28,513 a very strong Grand Master from Moldova. 1094 01:04:30,903 --> 01:04:34,593 [Kassa] Vladimir Hamitevici. A really talented player, um, 1095 01:04:34,793 --> 01:04:37,643 and a Grand Master that's higher rated than me. 1096 01:04:37,833 --> 01:04:39,813 But there's still rating to be gotten, 1097 01:04:40,013 --> 01:04:44,123 and so, it's time to show some resilience. 1098 01:04:44,323 --> 01:04:49,343 Um, and it's a question of whether I finish the game or not. 1099 01:04:49,543 --> 01:04:51,263 [Soren] So, things come to him very easily. 1100 01:04:51,463 --> 01:04:53,393 It's as if he can feel as he put the pieces 1101 01:04:53,593 --> 01:04:55,743 instead of having to calculate it. 1102 01:04:55,943 --> 01:04:58,443 He's a true talent, I would say. 1103 01:04:58,643 --> 01:05:00,573 [Kassa] He crushed the field last year, 1104 01:05:00,773 --> 01:05:03,363 and frankly, I actually didn't get to play him last year. 1105 01:05:03,563 --> 01:05:05,183 He did so well-- you know, it's funny, 1106 01:05:05,383 --> 01:05:07,713 when someone does really well in a tournament sometimes, 1107 01:05:07,913 --> 01:05:09,933 the mindset for me is like, "Well, he didn't play me." 1108 01:05:10,133 --> 01:05:11,973 So, you know, I mean, if he played me, 1109 01:05:12,173 --> 01:05:13,643 it might've been different, you know. 1110 01:05:24,833 --> 01:05:26,213 [Soren] Ladies and gentlemen, 1111 01:05:26,403 --> 01:05:31,733 welcome to Obro International 2022. 1112 01:05:31,933 --> 01:05:34,743 [Kassa] I'm in position to play on black. 1113 01:05:34,933 --> 01:05:39,043 Please start the white. Clocks. 1114 01:05:39,243 --> 01:05:41,023 [Kassa] Um, I hit the clock. 1115 01:05:49,463 --> 01:05:51,713 [narrator] Having started the game, 1116 01:05:51,913 --> 01:05:54,363 there's an important piece missing... 1117 01:05:54,563 --> 01:05:58,153 his opponent, the Grand Master. 1118 01:05:58,353 --> 01:06:02,073 [Kassa] And there is a lot jumbling in my head. 1119 01:06:02,273 --> 01:06:04,603 But he's not there, there's no moves in play yet. 1120 01:06:09,263 --> 01:06:13,703 [Soren] Vladimir is a different chess player, a little out of the ordinary. 1121 01:06:24,543 --> 01:06:29,113 [Kassa] Then he hustles and bustles in about, you know, ten minutes in... 1122 01:06:31,113 --> 01:06:33,553 makes his first move, and the game starts. 1123 01:06:36,163 --> 01:06:38,843 That ten minutes I got from him showing up to the board late, 1124 01:06:39,043 --> 01:06:41,673 my God, that evaporated quickly. 1125 01:06:41,873 --> 01:06:44,463 He's just got here and he already gets back his time, 1126 01:06:44,663 --> 01:06:47,173 like, faster than you could say time. 1127 01:06:50,003 --> 01:06:51,863 [Soren] The game has progressed now 1128 01:06:52,063 --> 01:06:54,733 and Vladimir's played an opening that's dangerous. 1129 01:06:54,933 --> 01:06:58,313 But I think Kassa is defending well. 1130 01:07:02,533 --> 01:07:05,523 [Kassa] And he starts to play it in a way 1131 01:07:05,723 --> 01:07:07,833 where he's trying to aggressively attack me. 1132 01:07:08,033 --> 01:07:09,873 And I'm like, not only am... 1133 01:07:10,073 --> 01:07:11,533 you know, I haven't looked at this, 1134 01:07:11,733 --> 01:07:14,233 but he's also trying to go for my throat. 1135 01:07:14,433 --> 01:07:18,143 So, I'm not even close to analysing this thing. 1136 01:07:18,343 --> 01:07:20,153 Not a good situation. 1137 01:07:20,343 --> 01:07:24,453 I'm thinking, "All right, like, this-- just don't lose, just survive." 1138 01:07:24,653 --> 01:07:28,153 [man] Looks very scary, but I've had positions 1139 01:07:28,353 --> 01:07:32,823 much worse and still survived. You still have to put it away. 1140 01:07:35,563 --> 01:07:37,423 [Kassa] And at some point I realized, 1141 01:07:37,623 --> 01:07:39,563 his attack is not crashing through. 1142 01:07:39,763 --> 01:07:42,343 He's throwing the kitchen sink at my king side, 1143 01:07:42,543 --> 01:07:44,523 but my king is unscathed. 1144 01:07:44,723 --> 01:07:46,563 I find a very well-timed pawn sacrifice, 1145 01:07:46,763 --> 01:07:49,263 just to divert his attention for a moment. 1146 01:07:49,463 --> 01:07:52,053 [man] King F-1 does not look healthy. 1147 01:07:52,253 --> 01:07:57,533 [Soren] No, Vladimir's king is out in the open cold weather, and it has no clothes on. 1148 01:07:57,733 --> 01:08:00,363 Now it's clear that I'm winning. 1149 01:08:00,563 --> 01:08:03,933 And I'm turning up the pressure, I'm turning up the screws. 1150 01:08:04,133 --> 01:08:07,283 He makes a blunder, I capitalize on it. 1151 01:08:07,483 --> 01:08:09,593 He starts to shake his head a little bit, like, 1152 01:08:09,793 --> 01:08:15,293 "Yeah, you're going down, dude. Like, you're going down." 1153 01:08:15,493 --> 01:08:18,203 [Soren] Vladimir is very much on the ropes. 1154 01:08:18,403 --> 01:08:21,553 I would be seriously considering resigning, 1155 01:08:21,753 --> 01:08:24,863 and I'm sure Kassa is forcing a win now. 1156 01:08:25,063 --> 01:08:28,563 [narrator] After four and a half hours of intense chess... 1157 01:08:28,763 --> 01:08:32,573 [Soren] Nine, ten, out. 1158 01:08:32,763 --> 01:08:36,053 [narrator] ...Kassa squarely beats Vladimir. 1159 01:08:36,253 --> 01:08:40,053 A high ranking Grand Master. 1160 01:08:40,253 --> 01:08:42,313 Sweet victory, 1161 01:08:42,513 --> 01:08:48,063 but as ever with chess, the emotion is kept for outside. 1162 01:08:48,263 --> 01:08:51,633 It feels good. It feels real good. 1163 01:08:51,833 --> 01:08:57,023 [narrator] Kassa has finally achieved his goal of beating a Grand Master. 1164 01:08:57,223 --> 01:08:58,643 It feels really good to get a win, 1165 01:08:58,833 --> 01:09:01,463 especially against a good player, a Grand Master. 1166 01:09:01,663 --> 01:09:04,863 And I was able to, kind of, turn the tables and not let go, 1167 01:09:05,063 --> 01:09:07,643 and so, yeah, I mean, it feels really good. 1168 01:09:07,843 --> 01:09:11,433 I can't tell you, like, I'm out of the doghouse, baby. Let's go. 1169 01:09:11,633 --> 01:09:14,303 So, I feel good. Um... 1170 01:09:14,503 --> 01:09:18,323 So, I'm definitely back on track. 1171 01:09:21,023 --> 01:09:22,573 [Kassa] This project, it turned on a new light, 1172 01:09:22,773 --> 01:09:25,363 a new engine I hadn't really exposed before. 1173 01:09:25,563 --> 01:09:29,803 That definitely gave me a renewed sense of purpose going into my chess. 1174 01:09:30,003 --> 01:09:33,193 As far as my cognitive capabilities are concerned, 1175 01:09:33,393 --> 01:09:36,953 getting that extra 30% can make a difference. 1176 01:09:43,653 --> 01:09:46,253 [narrator] For Kassa, Sherry, and Ben, 1177 01:09:46,453 --> 01:09:51,913 exercise has clearly had a big impact on their performance. 1178 01:09:52,103 --> 01:09:55,173 But what does the data tell us? 1179 01:09:55,373 --> 01:09:58,833 As part of the experiment, Professor Brendon Stubbs 1180 01:09:59,023 --> 01:10:02,663 tested the cognitive function of all mind gamers 1181 01:10:02,853 --> 01:10:06,223 before and after 16 weeks of exercise. 1182 01:10:06,423 --> 01:10:10,053 The results are staggering. 1183 01:10:10,253 --> 01:10:13,283 Cognitive function significantly increased 1184 01:10:13,473 --> 01:10:15,803 for each one of our mind gamers, 1185 01:10:16,003 --> 01:10:18,113 sharpening their brain power, 1186 01:10:18,313 --> 01:10:22,463 as well as boosting their overall mental well-being. 1187 01:10:22,663 --> 01:10:28,773 Kassa's problem solving skills increased by 50%. 1188 01:10:28,973 --> 01:10:33,733 Ben's short-term memory improved by 40%, 1189 01:10:33,933 --> 01:10:41,133 and he reported an increase in concentration of 75%. 1190 01:10:41,333 --> 01:10:45,443 Ryoei's problem-solving abilities improved by 30%,... 1191 01:10:45,643 --> 01:10:49,543 while his confidence levels soared by 50%. 1192 01:10:53,203 --> 01:10:59,363 Sherry's test results showed an increase of 20% in her short-term memory, 1193 01:10:59,563 --> 01:11:04,673 and she recorded a 50% reduction in her anxiety levels. 1194 01:11:04,873 --> 01:11:08,163 But let's not forget that many others across the world 1195 01:11:08,363 --> 01:11:11,863 also took part in the experiment. 1196 01:11:12,053 --> 01:11:14,813 [Brendon] When 77 top mind gamers 1197 01:11:15,013 --> 01:11:18,783 from 21 countries around the world started exercising, 1198 01:11:18,973 --> 01:11:23,303 overall cognitive function was improved by 10%. 1199 01:11:23,503 --> 01:11:26,003 That's a 9% increase in problem solving, 1200 01:11:26,203 --> 01:11:28,833 a 12% increase in short-term memory, 1201 01:11:29,033 --> 01:11:32,313 with concentration improving by a third. 1202 01:11:32,513 --> 01:11:37,013 We can now definitely say that a healthy body equals a healthy mind. 1203 01:11:37,213 --> 01:11:41,363 [narrator] So, if exercise can sharpen even the brightest minds, 1204 01:11:41,563 --> 01:11:45,253 imagine what it could do for the rest of us.