KUCHING: Kuching Dragon Boat Club (KDB) brought pride to Sarawak and Malaysia after winning the International Friends Division at the 2026 Nanchang International Dragon Boat Race in China.
The Kuching-based club emerged champion in the 12-person small dragon boat category after two days of racing held from Jun 13 to 14.
The competition at Jiulong Lake in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, attracted teams from China and several countries including the United States, Russia, Belarus, Italy, Kazakhstan, Germany, the Philippines and Malaysia.
KDB secured the title through consistent performances and teamwork throughout the tournament.
The team received gold medals, the championship trophy, a cash prize of RMB10,000, a bottle of champagne and traditional Dragon Boat Festival gifts from the organisers.
Founded in 2017, KDB is a community-based club from Kuching made up of paddlers from different age groups and backgrounds.
“The team underwent a month of intensive training before the tournament while balancing work, family commitments and sporting responsibilities.
“Its members travelled thousands of kilometres across the South China Sea to compete in what they described as one of the birthplaces of dragon boat culture,” they said in a statement.
They added the victory was a meaningful achievement and reflected the team’s dedication and hard work while providing encouragement for the continued growth of dragon boat sport in Malaysia.
Over the years, KDB has taken part in various local and international competitions as well as cultural exchange programmes to promote the sport.
The club also presented a traditional Sarawak Sape to the event organisers during the award and exchange ceremony as a token of appreciation for the hospitality extended to the team.
According to KDB, the gesture symbolised the friendship and cultural ties shared between the people of Malaysia and China.
“Looking ahead, the club will continue to train diligently, participate actively in international competitions, and contribute towards the growth of dragon boat sport in Malaysia while further strengthening people-to-people exchanges between Malaysia and China,” they added.
