Daring stunts: The North Malaysia Chingay Association's B team performing their winning routine during the National Chingay 2011 at the Esplanade in Penang. THE crowd held their breath as chingay troupe members focused on blancing their giant flagpoles on their heads. It seemed almost impossible to keep such heavy poles upright,
This intense contest steeped in tradition was played out at the National Chingay Championship 2011 on the Esplanade grounds on Saturday.
With spectators turning up in their hundreds hours beforehand, the stage was all set for the five participating teams to duke it out with spectacular displays of skill and bravado.
Ready for magnificent show: The huge crowd, including tourists, gathering to watch the National Chingay Championship 2011 at the Esplanade. The area between the Town Hall and City Hall served as a battleground as the teams made light work of what seemed like herculean tasks — balancing giant flagpoles almost two storeys high.
To make things even harder, they incorporated running starts and bicycle and motorcycle tricks into their routine.
All the while, they kept moving the poles to and fro their mouths and foreheads without losing a beat.
Saving the best for last, the North Malaysia Chingay Association’s ‘B’ team had the crowd in raptures with their nervewracking routine that featured a three-tiered human tower for their finale.
The uppermost member caught the flag with his head seconds before the final whistle blew.
However, the entire assembly then came crashing down in a painful heap.
But the bruises and strained muscles didn’t matter, for they were soon crowned champions with a score of 9.37, defending the title they won last year.
The association’s ‘A’ team, champions in 2009, finished second with a score of 9.18, capping off a memorable night for the association and ensuring their domination in the contest.
Chief coach Lee Kok Keong attributed their sustained success to lots of practice, teamwork and a hunger for success.
They had practised on a daily basis in the weeks leading up to the contest.
“We plan our routines based on the participating members’ abilities, and try to come up with something more challenging each year,” Lee said.
The team took home RM5,000 in cash along with the champions’ trophy, while their second placed counterparts pocketed RM3,000.
The Kedah Chingay Association team finished third, winning RM1,000.
Two local teams, the Penang Chingay Association and Jelutong Chingay Association, finished fourth and fifth respectively with prize purses of RM800 and RM500.
In his speech, Penang Tourism Development and Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said chingay was an integral component of the state’s heritage.
Originating in China where it was first performed during deity processions, it has gone through many changes over a century.
“Today chingay is not only performed by the Chinese. It has attracted many Malays and Indians as well, becoming a unique, multiracial performance art,” Law added.
Law said the state government would continue its efforts to promote the art form.
The night’s programme ended with a rare LED dragon dance performance.
Covered in hundreds of tiny lights, the glowing serpentine cast a magnificent sight as it wriggled in front of the imposing City Hall and Town Hall buildings.
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