Xi Nan storms to provisional lead with 9.51 points

GENTING HIGHLANDS: Persatuan Penganut Agama Buddha Xi Nan from Kelapa Sawit, Johor, stormed to the provisional lead with a blistering 9.51-point performance in today’s final of the 21st Malaysia National Lion Dance Championship.

The troupe delivered a fast and fluid routine at Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting, combining sharp footwork, impressive balance and tight coordination to keep the crowd fully engaged.

Lion dance teams put on their best performances during the 21st Malaysia National Lion Dance Championship final today.

Lion dance teams putting on their best performance during the 21st Malaysia National Lion Dance Championship final today.

Their performance saw them leap ahead of Penang Meihu Culture and Sports Association, which had earlier set the benchmark with 9.40 points.

Penang Meihu, performing second after Persatuan Penganut Agama Sin Ong Dian from Labuan, impressed with its clean footwork, disciplined routine and strong stage presence.

Sin Ong Dian opened the final with 8.83 points, while Kwong Ngai Lion Dance from Penang posted 9.15 points.

Lion dance teams put on their best performances during the 21st Malaysia National Lion Dance Championship final today.

Meanwhile, Pertubuhan Kebudayaan Kesenian dan Kesukanan Tawau, the fifth to perform, had no score awarded as they did not finish their performance following a fall by their performers.

Xi Nan’s 9.51 points now puts the Kelapa Sawit troupe at the top of the leaderboard, but with more finalists still waiting to perform, the battle for the national crown remains wide open.