The Genting World Lion Dance Championship has been held every two years since 1994 and returned in 2023 after a 4-year break owing to the pandemic with this year’s being the 14th edition https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/singapores-lion-dance-troupe-triumphs-genting-world-championship-ends-malaysias-13-year
The lion dance, a centuries-old and much-loved Chinese art form, where agile lion dancers leap through the air in synchrony to the rhythm of reverberating drums, dates back 2,000 years. This enthralling pantomime performance of riveting acrobatics mimics the playful nature of the lion, continuing to entertain and create an authentic cultural experience for audiences young and old today!
A total of 36 teams from across the world, including China, the USA, and Myanmar, competed on Sunday, 6th August 2023 in the finals of the 3-day championship organized by Resorts World Genting in Malaysia. Two teams were sent by Singapore’s Yi Wei Athletic Association to the battle of the Chinese mystical beasts. Its Team A came in third with a score of 9.58 while its Team B secured victory with 9.73 points.
The Lion Dance Association and the Sungai Way Khuan Loke Dragon from Malaysia came in second in the competition with a score of 9.64. The champions of the competition will receive US$ 15,000 (S$ 20,000) in cash, while the 1st and 2nd runners-up will receive US$ 8,000 and US$ 5,000, respectively.
Singapore emerged winners breaking Malaysia’s 13 year-winning streak. Every edition until now has been won by Malaysian teams with the same team winning 12 of the 13 previous competitions were won by the same team – Muar Kun Seng Keng or just KSK. A video has been posted on Tiktok showing Team A’s white-gold lions and Team B’s yellow-orange lions gracefully dancing and manoeuvring on top of high stilts to thunderous applause from members of the audience. view-source:https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/singapores-lion-dance-troupe-triumphs-genting-world-championship-ends-malaysias-13-year
The Straits Times has reached out for comment to Resorts World Genting and the Yi Wei Athletic Association.
