Ang and Ng win National Lion Dance Championship

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EQUIPPED with agility, feline grace, speed and precision, the Kun Seng Keng Lion and Dragon Association Muar once again emerged victors at the 15th Malaysia National Lion Dance Championship 2011.

Continuing the legacy of the association for the 12th time, shy duo Ang Aik Meng, 17, and Ng Chin Ann, 21, beat eight other teams during the intense finals that was held at the Arena of Stars Genting Highlands last Sunday.

The finals was held after a two-day semi-finals challenge on Nov 18 and 19 that saw 20 teams from the regional preliminary rounds performing.

Ang and Chin, who also won the World Lion Dance Championship held here last year, have dedicated their time and energy and attribute intense training to their win.

Champs: The Kun Seng Keng Lion and Dragon Association Muar beat all eight finalists at the 15th Malaysia National Lion Dance Championship 2011.

“We train three times a day for at least two hours each session. We do this full time and we believe that creativity draws the crowd, giving us an advantage,” said Ng.

The team performed their stunts with incredible stealth and creativity with their beautifully lit instruments. The cute little blue and white lion sprang forth from a box and handled the poles with grace and charm coupled with expressions like fear, joy and playful charm.

Doing flips on the little poles, the crowd cheered for the lion as they watched each difficult movement that was delivered with precision. They won RM10,000 that will be used to cover their expenses as well as a trophy and medals.

Following close behind were the Maha Bodhi Society Tawau who wowed the cheering audience with incredible energy and enthusiasm. A crowd favourite, the lion head manned by Chin Ken Yuen, 20, and the tail by Cheng Yi Hoong, 24, was a daring spectacle on the poles.

The two were paired for the first time together and have only been practising for the past five months. Despite the short training time, both learnt to trust each other and performed really well, much to the audience’s delight. Their win of RM6,000 will be donated back to the temple that they represent in Tawau.

Team coach K.C. Yong said they acknowledged the fact that their opponents were really good and their team had a long way to go.

Well done: Kun Seng Keng Lion and Dragon Association Muar receiving the challenge trophy from Dr Chua (centre).

Third place winners were youngsters Loo Mun Hong, 18, and Cheah Chao Fhoong, 17, who are schoolmates.

Cheah is sitting for his SPM examinations but the love for the Lion Dance art prompted him to join the competition.

Coach Cheah Kwong Leang said the two were competing for the first time on poles despite having won the first Junior Champion-ship earlier this year that was more traditional compared to this championship.

“Previously they did not perform from such great heights, the more traditional competition this year saw them utilising things like tables only, so this is quite an achievement for them,” he added.

They walked home with RM3,000, a trophy and medals as well.

Guest of honour MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek applauded the efforts by the organisers who have maintained the standards of the competition.

“We see that the Kun Seng Keng Association has bagged the championship trophy again this year, proving that they have been able to defend the standards of performance to date,” he added.