PAHANG: Xuan Long Dragon and Lion Dance from Rawang emerged victorious at the 20th Malaysia National Lion Dance Championship today, claiming the title of the ultimate winner.
Competing at the Arena of Stars today, 10 teams showcased their lion dancing skills, with Xuan Long Dragon and Lion Dance Troupe securing first place with a score of 9.60 out of 10.
Other winners included the Catholic High School Alumni Association Dragon & Lion Dance Troupe, which took second place with a score of 9.55, and Tarian Singa Kwong Ngai, who finished third with 9.44.
Despite another troupe, Che Yee Khor Moral Uplifting Society from Lahad Datu, earning the same score, Tarian Singa Kwong Ngai narrowly edged them out by gaining extra points for difficult moves during the competition.
Organised by Resorts World Genting every two years, the Malaysia National Lion Dance Championship provides a prestigious stage for lion dance troupes to compete for the title of the best among Malaysian lion dancers.
Starting with a combined 80 teams, 20 teams progressed to the semi-finals and finals on 21 and 22 September at the Arena of Stars.
The semi-finals concluded on the first day with 10 teams eliminated from the competition.
Five teams were disqualified due to incomplete performances caused by injuries, and another five forfeited their matches.
The finals began with high spirits, as the arena was filled with spectators eager to witness the best lion dancers Malaysia has to offer.
Compared with their semi-final performances, each troupe pushed themselves to the limit in the final, determined to showcase a grand spectacle with their reputations on the line.
Only one team was disqualified due to injury, and all teams achieved higher scores in today's match, with most surpassing 9 points.
Both the first- and second-place troupes notably incorporated LED lights into their stage props, enhancing the storytelling aspect of their performances.
The top three winning teams will advance to compete in the finals of the 15th Genting World Lion Championship in July 2025.