MALAYSIA finished third in the 15th Genting World Lion Dance Championship at the Arena of Stars Genting Highlands on Sunday.
The championship saw nine teams from six countries and territories — Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Myanmar, China and Taiwan — vie for the championship title in the final.
Malaysia, through the maiden participation of the Petaling Jaya Catholic High School Alumni Association Dragon and Lion Dance Troupe, earned 9.59 points to be placed third and took home US$6,000 cash, a trophy and medals presented by Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
Michael Oh Head, one of the troupe’s lion dancers, said that although there was some pressure representing Malaysia, the team gave their best performance.
“We will continue to train until we achieve better results and improved performances.
We also hope to be given more opportunities to represent Malaysia and achieve success, thus bringing glory to the country,” he told Bernama after the prize-giving ceremony.
Two other Malaysian teams — Kwong Ngai Lion Dance and Malaysia Xuan Long Dragon and Lion Dance Rawang Selangor — also made it to the final.
The Kwong Ngai Lion Dance troupe finished seventh with 8.89 points, while the team from Rawang had to withdraw after one of its members sustained a leg injury.
Malaysian Lion Dance Association advisor Siow Ho Phiew expressed his pride and satisfaction with the national teams’ achievements, while describing the success of the three Malaysian teams reaching the final as a significant accomplishment that elevated the country’s reputation on the international stage.
“Yes, I am satisfied with the performances of the Malaysian teams today. When it comes to major championships, we must work hard and compete in Genting to become world champions or succeed in other competitions,” he said.
The Genting championship saw the Singapore B Team, represented by Yi Mei Athletic Association, crowned champion with 9.78 points while their counterparts, Singapore A, also represented by the same association, finished second with 9.66 points.
The two teams took home US$18,000 and US$10,000 respectively, along with trophies and medals.
Resorts World Genting Sales, Marketing and Public Relations executive vice-president Spencer Lee said this year’s edition featured a significant difference with the creative use of props and storytelling elements, turning lion dance into not only a cultural performance but also a highstamina sport.
“We hope that one day lion dance can become an international sports event, (and featured) in the SEA Games, Asian Games or the Olympics,” he said.
The championship, organised by Resorts World Genting in collaboration with the Selangor and Federal Territory Dragon and Lion Dance Federation, saw 40 teams from around the world vying for glory since Friday (July 25). – BERNAMA
