2nd Taiping Open Dance Championships - 22nd October 2011

Organizers, Lim Poh Hu & Shirley Hun, managed to pull together their second championship in as many years. A change of date enabled them to continue what was begun in 2010 and they had obviously learnt much from their first experience and didn't make any repeat mistakes. Hats off to these two lovely people. Its always so refreshing to know people who are never afraid to learn. Bravo Shirley & PH.

It was very much a Malaysian event with dancers coming from all corners of the country to compete in Standard, Latin American and Belly Dancing. If you're wondering why Belly Dancing was included, it is because Shirley also teaches this genre of dance. The event was held at the Persatuan Ong Si Thye Tong hall in Taiping, Perak, which was also used last year. The angle of the floor was moved which made a refreshing change for all.

The championship was endorsed and supported by PDMB, BDFI, IDO, MDA, Perak State Govt and the WDC-AAL. The guest of honor was YB Dato' Ho Cheng Wang and the championship advisor was Mr John Lim. The Chief Adjudicator was Mr Teh Swee Guan. His panel of adjudicators were - Benny Chan, Belman Salihovic, Joanne Leong, Y S Lee, Yukiko Hori, Merle Lau, Richard Hoh, Michael Yeap, Louis Low, Alice Hor, Irene Au, Koh Kin Ho, Tam Kong Choy, John Lee, Billeon Yong, Jocelyn Peh, Annie Ong, Emily Mah and David Ng. The Chief Invigilator keeping an eye on sylabus, rules & regulations was Mr John Lim. Scrutineering was performed by Mr Nixon Ong & Co.

The event ran fairly smoothly, without too much delay and we were all treated to the traditional afternoon rain storm that Taiping is famous for. The evening programme ran well too with everyone enjoying their dinner while being entertained by the best of dancer in the Amateur levels as they fought for placing in their various events.

Here is the list of CHAMPIONS :
(as presented)

Stand Junior Under 16 : Shaun Chew & Reana Low (Selangor)

Standard Amateur Rising Star : Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan (Selangor)

Belly Dance Indv. Novice : Grace Heng (Kedah)

Standard Amateur Open : Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan (Selangor)

Belly Dance Troupe : 2 Five Step Teszia Divas (Perak)

Latin Juvenile Under 9 : Duncan Yeam & Jolene Teh (Selangor)

Latin Junior Under 16 : Mok Wing Kit & Louise Cheow (Perak)

Latin Amateur Rising Star : Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan (Selangor)

Belly Dance Indv. Intermediate : Shanny Tan (Perak)

Latin Amateur Open : Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan (Selangor)

Standard Solo Under 12 : Grace Heng (Kedah)

Standard Solo Under 9 : Jolene Teh (Selangor)

Standard Senior Over 55 : George Tan & M H Hew (Kedah)

Standard Juvenile Under 12 : Duncan Yeam & Jolene Teh (Selangor)

Standard Senior Over 40 : Ooi Hun Teong & Lim Choon Suan (Penang)

Standard Juvenile Under 9 : Duncan Yeam & Jolene Teh (Selangor)

Latin Solo Under 12 : Zoe Lim (Selangor)

Latin Solo Under 9 : Choi Keh Yin (Selangor)

Latin Senior Over 55 : Ian Tan & Christine Eng (Penang)

Latin Juvenile Under 12 : Duncan Yeam & Jolene Teh (Selangor)

Latin Senior Over 40 : Ian Tan & Christine Eng (Penang)

Latin Senior Beginners 40 : Lvy Soo & Yong Thean Loke (Penang)

Latin Novice : Mok Wing Kit & Louise Cheow (Perak)

Beginners Cha Cha : Ervin Kok & Eelynn Kok (Penang)

Latin Ladies : Adele Lim & Crystal Yip (Selangor)

Beginners Jive : Ervin Kok & Eelynn Kok (Penang)

Latin Solo Dance : Zoe Lim (Selangor)

Beginners Rumba : Lee Kah Hong & Jessie Loh (Perak)

Latin Pre Amateur : Tye Jian Jin & Cindy Law (Perak)

Beginners Samba : Ervin Kok & Eelynn Kok (Penang)

Latin Ladies Synchronize : Lee Ying Jin & Chen Poh Hsiang (Penang)

Beginners Paso Doble : Gary Eng & Esther Khoo (Penang)

Latin Malaysia Amateur Closed : Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan (Selangor)

Belly Dance Indv. Intermediate Crystal : Teoh Mei Ling (Perak)

Belly Dance Indv. Novice Crystal : Catherine Ng (Perak)

Belly Dance Indv. Intermediate Diamond : Ong Siew Eng (Perak)

Beginners Waltz : Alvin Hoh & Riena Aiysa (N.S)

Standard Novice : Alan Hoh & Evelyn Lim (Selangor)

Beginners Tango : Patrick Phan & Rebecca Wong (Perak)

Standard Senior Beginners 40 : Lawrence Tang & Ivy Kong (Selangor)

Beginners Viennese Waltz : Patrick Phan & Rebecca Wong (Perak)

Standard Solo Open : Susan Lee (Kedah)

Beginners Foxtrot : Patrick Phan & Rebecca Wong (Perak)

Standard Pre Amateur : Alan Hoh & Evelyn Lim (N.S)

Beginners Quickstep : Patrick Phan & Rebecca Wong (Perak)

Standar Senior Beginners 55 : Lawrence Tang & Ivy Kong (Selangor)

Standard Ladies : #149

Standard Malaysia Amateur Closed : Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan

Congratulations to all the winner and a great effort from all the dancers.

The organizers are confident that they will be able to bring us another segment of the TODC series, they've already confirmed a date. So see you all again at the 3rd Taiping Open Dance Championship on the 15th September 2012 (Saturday) !