Lions battle it out to usher in the Water Dragon
PERFORMANCE: The Kun Seng Keng Dragon and Lion Dance Association Taman Aman Johor was judged the champion of a lion dance competition
Drums, cymbals and gongs was part of providing the music for the lion dances.
Winners of the Acrobatic Lion Dance Championship 2012 posing for a group photo at Sungei Wang Plaza. Pics by Salhani Ibrahim
Jumping from pole to pole requires perfect coordination between dancers.
IN conjunction with Chinese New Year and the Sungei Wang Plaza's celebration themed Springtime Grandeur, the mall recently held an acrobatic lion dance championship.
The event is a collaboration with Luen Seng Physical Culture Association.
Altogether 20 professional teams took part in the competition.
On Jan 1, the 20 teams competed in the first round to select the 10 teams for the finals.
The finalists were Hong Jing Lion Dance Association Subang Jaya, Hong Teik Lion Dance Association Alor Star, Khuan Loke Dragon and Lion Dance Association Sungai Way, Hong Teck Sport Association Selayang, Kun Seng Keng Dragon and Lion Dance Association Muar, Khuan Loke Dragon and Lion Dance Association Subang, Hok Seng Lion Dance Association Kuala Lumpur, Kun Seng Keng Dragon and Lion Dance Association Taman Aman Johor, Kok Hing Lion Dance Association Kepong and SM Keat Hwa 2, Alor Star.
The mall's senior manager (promotions and public relations) K.K. Lim said the championship attracts teams from all over the country.
"This is a grand competition as we witnessed the professionalism and outstanding stunts of lion dance groups.
"Also, as this year is the Year of the Water Dragon, an animal which symbolises strength, bravery and good fortune to all, this championship is a reflection of Sungei Wang's enthusiasm in ushering in the new year," he said.
The finals was held on Jan 2 on the Concourse Level of the mall, which was packed with shoppers wanting to see the final battle of the championship, which is a first for the shopping complex.
The 10 teams amazed the crowd with their energetic lion dance performances comprising acrobatic stunts such as leaping from pole to pole.
The teams were judged on several criteria.
These included the fine executing of technique, rhythm flow, precise timing, realistic facial expressions of the lion, fine balancing, and how stunning and complicated the stunts and acrobatics were.
After more than three hours of fierce battle, the Kun Seng Keng Dragon and Lion Dance Association from Taman Aman, Johor, was announced the champion with a 9.21 score.
It walked away with RM6,000.
Hong Teik Lion Dance Association Alor Star and Kun Seng Keng Dragon and Lion Dance Association Muar were named second- and third-place winners, respectively.
They took home RM4,000 and RM3,000, respectively.
The fourth- and fifth-placed winners were Hok Seng Lion Dance Association Kuala Lumpur and Khuan Loke Dragon and Lion Dance Association Sungai Way, respectively.
They took home RM2,000 and RM1,000, respectively.
The other five teams received consolation prizes of RM500 each.
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