17th Penang International Open Ballroom Dancing Championship 2011 - 27th Nov. 2010 (Saturday)

The 17th chapter of this now very well known championship had an overwhelming number of entries this year, the largest number in its history - 352 couples in total !! And together with the huge entry was its largest panel of adjudicators. This successful event is organized by the Malaysian Dancers Association (MDA) which is headed by Dato Dr Henry Ooi, the President of MDA together with the Penang State Government Tourism Board. This year the championship also included the 1st Penang ADC Amateur League Open Championship as part of its events. Its main sponsors were Penang State Government, SP Setia Bhd Group, Pensonic, Da Ma Cai, Astro & The Hour Glass.

The day had to start at 7am in order for us to complete all the events and the prize presentation of the day events had to be held in the foyer of the ballroom to allow the competition to continue inside the hall. Therefore I do not have the full list of champions for this championships so you'll have to be satisfied with the little that I do have.

Panel of Adjudicators

1. Mr Isao Nakagawa (Chief Adjudicator) - Japan

2. Mr Karl Breuer

3. Mr Michael Stylianos

4. Ms Kym Smith

5. Mr Akihiro Yokomichi

6. Ms Hidemi Yamamoto

7. Mr Ji Xiao Ming

8. Mr Manfred Wang

9. Ms Angel Long

10. Mr Soenarko Josodiharjo

11. Mr David Lee

12. Mr Geoffrey Chun

13. Mr Kenny Kwan

14. Ms Wanthanee Kanchana

15. Mr Ariel Llanillo

16. Ms Jane Liu

17. Mr Steven Tan

18. Mr Lawrence Chan

19. Mr Kenji Po

20. Sun Wei Ying

21. Zhang Xiang Guo

22. Mr Teng Hui

23. Mr Dharshan Vijesooriya

24. Mr Johnny Sucipto

25. Mr Edgar Borromeo

26. Yong-Ran Lee

27. Mr Jerry Abrate

28. Mr Teh Swee Guan

29. Mr William Lor

30. Datin Goh Suat Guat

31. Mr Anthony Keung

32. Mr Alex Lim

33. Mr Benny Chan

34. Ms Grace Chan

35. Mr John Lim

36. Mr Lee Boon Teong

37. Mr Tam Kong Choy

38. Mr James Ooi

39. Ms Josephine Seow

40. Ms Alice Hor

41. Ms Kelly Goh

42. Mr Michael Yeap

43. Mr Raymond Tee

44. Ms Irine Au

45. Ms Louis Low

46. Mr Chan Gim Choo

47. Mr John Lee

48. Mr Ooi Hock Seng

49. Ms Annie Oo

50. Mr Billion Yong

51. Mr Bong Yoon Chun

52. Mr Thomas Tan

Scrutineer : Mr Nixon Ong & team

LIST OF CHAMPIONS

Latin Professional Open : #6 Zhao Liang & Guo Xue (China)

Std. Professional Open : #30 Aleksander Zhiratkov & Irina Novozhil Ovapopovic (Russia)

Latin Asia Amateur : #266 Wu Hao & Qin Yi (China)

Std. Asia Amateur : #163 Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan (Malaysia)

Latin Pro. Asia Rising Star : #352 Liu Xiao & Wei Wei (China)

Std. Pro. Asia Rising Star : #316 Zhang Hao & Song Xiao Rong (China)

Latin Pro-Am C : #141 Loke Sze Hao & Yoko Takahashi (Malaysia)

Latin Pro-Am B : #141 Loke Sze Hao & Yoko Takahashi (Malaysia)

Std. Pro-Am C : #18 Chan Hung Ming & Liang Xia Xiang

Std. Pro-Am B : #336 Stanizlav Zelyanin & Lilian Wong (Singapore)

Latin Open Amateur : #4  Ma Jia Jun & Xu Qian (China)

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Congratulations to all our Champions ! I'm afraid that's all the results I have from this championship. If you need more information, feel free to contact the organizers - Malaysian Dancers Association at mdamy@streamyx.com

1st BDFI Taiping Open Dance Championship 2010 - 19th Sept. 2010 (Sunday)

It was the first time joint organizers - Mr Lim Poh Hu & Ms Shirley Hun, put together a championship. They are working partners and have managed many successful social events in and around Taiping. However, this year, with the guidance or Mr John Lim, they decided to take that brave step forward and do something bigger. There were the expected pitfalls and hiccups but I take my hat of to Shirley, who managed to keep things together and moving forward no matter what. As it was their first time, the pair did not want to hold different competitions at different times for the various genres of dance that they teach at their studios, hence the reason the championship is labeled 'dance' to cover the different dance forms that competed.


Panel of Adjudicators


1.  Mr Teh Swee Guan - Chief Adjudicator (Penang)
2.  Mr Steven Han (Singapore)
3.  Ms Reena Leong (Ng. Sembilan)
4.  Ms Wanthanee Meksawad (Thailand)
5.  Mr Belman Salihovic (Australia)
6.  Mr Michael Yeap (Perak)
7.  Mr Louis Low (Perak)
8.  Ms Teresa Liu (Kuala Lumpur)
9.  Mr James Ooi (Penang)
10. Mr Koh Kin Ho (Penang)
11. Mr Billeon Yong (Penang)
12. Mr Tam Kong Choy (Penang)
13. Ms Irene Au (Perak)
14. Ms Alice Hor (Perak)
15. Ms Kelly Goh (Penang)
16. Ms Emily Mah (Selangor)
17. Ms Nancy Bahkshy (Kuala Lumpur)
18. Ms Sahra Karami (Kuala Lumpur)
19. Ms Annie Ong (Penang)
20. Ms Jocelyn Peh (Penang)


Scrutineers : Mr Nixon Ong & team


THE CHAMPIONS


Beginners Cha Cha - #5 Shaun Chew & Reana Low


Beginners Jive - #5 Shaun Chew & Reana Low


Beginners Rumba - #5 Shaun Chew & Reana Low


Beginners Samba - #5 Shaun Chew & Reana Low


Beginners Paso Doble - #23 Elvin Chan & Kok Xiang Yao


Beginners Waltz - #71 Beng Guan & Agnes Lee


Beginners Quickstep - #71 Beng Guan & Agnes Lee


Beginners Tango - #71 Beng Guan & Agnes Lee


Beginners Foxtrot - #71 Beng Guan & Agnes Lee


Beginners Viennese Waltz - #71 Beng Guan & Agnes Lee


Latin Jr. Under 16 Open - #6 Harry Oon & Dionne Leong


Latin Jv. Under 12 Open - #24 Foong How Ming & Ice Kwan


Latin Grand Sr. Over 60 - #70 Ooi Teik Long & Khor Siew Ling   AND
                                     #136 Ong Seng Guan & Kam Peek Han


Latin Solo Under 16 Open - #66 Jacky Yap


Latin Jv. Under 8 Open - #25 Kenneth Kwan & Beatrice Loo


Taiping Closed Latin Jv. Under 12 - #85 Jennifer Teh & Sandy Ooi


Taiping Closed Latin - #80 Ooi Ching Yi & Beh Ying Ying


Kids Belly Dance - #116 Grace Heng


Standard Grand Sr. Over 60 - #11 Tham Cham Soo & Frances Teoh


Standard Jr. Under 16 OPen - #5 Shaun Chew & Reana Low


Standard Sr. Over 40 Beginners - #71 Beng Guan & Agnes Lee


Standard Novice - #5 Shaun Chew & Reana Low


Standard Sr. Over 55 Beginners - #126 Samson Chuah & Khoo Sow Kheng


Standard Amateur Open - #1 Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan


Standard SEA Amateur Open - #1 Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan


Standard Sr. Over 40 - #11 Tham Cham Soo & Frances Teoh


Hip Hop Team Open - #43 Floor Digital (Perak)


Standard Rising Star - #2 Bernard Lim & Natalie Tan


Standard Sr. Over 55 - #11 Tham Cham Soo & Frances Teoh


Standard Pre Amateur - #4 Samuel Sum & Valerie Lim


Belly Dance Beginners Open - #171 Camilyn Bong Suk Na


Belly Dance Intermediate Open - #115 Carolyn Cheah


Belly Dance Intermediate Crystal - #99 Sanny Yong


Latin Novice - #127 Lim Tee Hong & Madeline Teh Ye Sen


Latin Sr. Over 55 - #13 Ian Tan & Christine Eng


Latin Rising Star Under 21 - #2 Bernard Lim & Natalie Tan


Latin Ladies Open - #80 Ooi Ching Yi & Beh Ying Ying


Latin Sr. Over 40 - #13 Ian Tan & Christine Eng


Latin SEA Amateur Open - #18 Phongsiri Saengmani & Piyarhida Teerasartsilip


Latin Pre Amateur - #127 Lim Tee Hong & Madeline Teh Ye Sen


Latin Amateur Open - #1 Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan


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Congratulations to all the winners. You all worked really hard and deserved your titles. Check out the event box on the right for the date of the next BDFI Taiping Event.

World Dance Academy Anniversary - 1st January 2011

Just attended the 10th World Dance Academy Anniversary Dinner & Dance held at the Royal Selangor Club, Kuala Lumpur. It was also a fundraiser for the Renal Dialysis Center. They also hosted 25 children from the Cempaka Charity Home. It was a nice comfortable sized crowd with some members from John Lim's Lions Club chapter as well as many family & friends of the many students of the Academy. The students all put on great performance in both the Ballroom & Latin genres in couples and in groups. There was a good showing by the adult students who presented a Paso Doble routine and there were 5 guest couples who performed too who came from Ipoh & KL. Several lucky draws were presented and the results of last years NATD & ISTD examinations were announced. Great job everyone.

1st January 2011

Happy happy New Year everyone. Let's all aim to have a safe, healthy, prosperous year ahead!

1st Bellare International Championship 2010

The 1st Bellare was organized by the lovely Melvyn & Nancy Low under their studioMelvyn Low Dance Studio and was held at the Orchard Hotel, Singapore. It wasendorsed by SBDTA and supported by WDC. It has been a long time coming and I couldn't have been happier for this lovely pair to finally see their dream of hosting their own championship come through. Being the warm couple that they always have been many of the friends they have made over the their years of dancing all came together to help them bring this event to a successful conclusion. They did have their challenges, but they overcame them with the grace that has carried them through all their challenges to date. I am so pleased for them. During the formalities of the evening section of the competition, Melvyn gave a touching tribute to his beautiful wife, Nancy, for being his partner in life and for being the grounding force being the championship. This was followed by a public kiss, which is really something coming from a Chinaman, ha ha ha. Nancy very prettily blushed by his side.

Anyway, enough of my opinions (I have many). If I don't stop now I never will :D

The competition was run on a tight schedule under the firm but calming hand of Chief Adjudicator - Mr Jerry Abrate from Italy. It is the first time I have worked with Mr Abrate and I was pleasantly surprised at the control he maintained over the event. It was indeed a pleasure and an honor to have worked with him. Our Chief Scrutineer was Ms Agnes Ang from Singapore, who again showed her professionalism and amazed me with her efficiency and dedication to her work. She never left me wanting any information, always making sure I had all the details I needed to keep the day running smoothly. I wish I had her with me in every single event. The Music Master of the event was Mr Kason Kee - the only sound system magician I know that has such a good command of this genre of music. As usual he too provided me with amazing professionalism and never let a moment of silence spoil the day and handled the general dancing sections of the evening with his reputed flair. The competitor marshalls, who I never did get to meet personally :( , did an incredible job keeping the competitors together and arranged in their events which again just added to the smooth running of the event. I know there were many of you and I must say your system works like a charm. Here are the details :

Panel of Adjudicators :

1. Mr Jerry Abrate (Chief Adjudicator) - Italy
2. Ms Caterina Arzenton - Italy
3. Mr Espen Salberg - Norway
4. Mr Roman Stepanov - Russia
5. Ms Polina Teplenko - Russia
6. Ms Ekaterina Barulina - Russia
7. Mr Dirk Bastert - Germany
8. Mr Akihiro Yokomichi - Japan
9. Mr Geoffrey Chun - Korea
10. Mr David Lee - Taiwan
11. Mr Jacky Zhao Qi - China
12. Mr Lawrence Chan - Hong Kong
13. Ms Lana Lo - Hong Kong
14. Mr Soenarko Josodiarjdjo - Indonesia
15. Mr Johnny Sucipto - Indonesia
16. Mr Amon Chatphaisal - Thailand
17. Mr Uapan Snidvongs - Thailand
18. Mr John Lim - Malaysia
19. Mr William Lor - Malaysia
20. Mr Sunny Low - Singapore
21. Ms Aleena Tan - Singapore
22. Mr Louis Ng - Singapore
23. Mr Sam Fong - Singapore
24. Mr Allan Tan - Singapore
25. Mr Henry Tan - Singapore
26. Mr Tan Why Pong - Singapore
27. Ms Josephine Tan - Singapore
28. Mr Steven Han - Singapore
29. Mr Sammy Soo - Singapore

Champions for Standard :

Beginners W - #130  John Ching & Tan Whye Lynn (Singapore)

Beginners T - #130  John Ching & Tan Whye Lynn (Singapore)

Beginners Q - #130  John Ching & Tan Whye Lynn (Singapore)

Beginners F - #130  John Ching & Tan Whye Lynn (Singapore)

Beginners VW - #130  John Ching & Tan Whye Lynn (Singapore)

Senior Beginners - #34  Alfred & Helen Wee (Singapore)

Novice - #11  Jovyn Low & Sonia Yeo (Singapore)

Pre Amateur - #23  Terrence Low & Shanelle Gooi (Singapore)

Senior Over 55 - #166  Andrew & Rita Yow (Indonesia)

Senior Over 45 - #177  Tay Chan Kok & Karen Tay (Singapore)

Pro-Am W - #165  Stefanskiy Yury & Irina Tikhonova (Russia)

Pro-Am T - #165  Stefanskiy Yury & Irina Tikhonova (Russia)

Pro-Am F - #165  Stefancskiy Yury & Irina Tikhonova (Russia)

Pro-Am Q - #165  Stefanskiy Yury & Irina Tikhonova (Russia)

Pro-Am VW - #165  Stefanskiy Yuri & Irina Tikhonova (Russia)

Pro-Am 3 Dance - #165  Stefanskiy Yuri & Irina Tikhonova (Russia)

Teacher-Student F - #167  Roberto Masanque & Cecilia Chow (Singapore)

Teacher-Student W - #108  Anton Besedin & Tatiana Demidova (Russia)

Teacher-Student VW - #108  Anton Besedin & Tatiana Demidova (Russia)

Teacher-Student Q - #97  Xie Zheng Wang & Catherine Yung (Hong Kong)

Teacher-Student T - #108  Anton Besedin & Tatiana Demidova (Russia)

Teacher-Student 2 Dance - #108  Anton Besedin & Tatiana Demidova (Russia)

Amateur Rising Star - #178  Max Antipin & Bibianah Choo (Singapore)

Pro-Am 4 Dances - #191  Fabrizio Cravero & Doreen Lim (Singapore)

Amateur Open - #84  Gaetano Iavarone & Emanuela Napolitano (Italy)

Professional Open - #164  Warren & Kristi Boyce (United Kingdom)

Champions for Latin :

Beginners CC - #151  Tham Onn Rei & Loke Pui Yan (Malaysia)

Beginners R - #151  Tham Onn Rei & Loke Pui Yan (Malaysia)

Beginners S - #151  Tham Onn Rei & Loke Pui Yan (Malaysia)

Beginners J - #151  Tham Onn Rei & Loke Pui Yan (Malaysia)

Senior Over 55 - #102  Steven & Triena Ong (Singapore)

Senior Over 45 - #47  Pine Ong & Apple Ang (Singapore)

Novice - #153  Kelvin Ong & Nicol Lor (Malaysia)

Pre-Amateur - #118  Kavin R & Lena Chien (Singapore)

Teacher-Student CC - #195  Dmitry Syzrantsev & Tatiana Demidova (Russia)

Teacher-Student R - #195  Dmitry Syzrantsev & Tatiana Demidova (Russia)

Teacher-Student J - #195  Dmitry Syzrantsev & Tatiana Demidova (Russia)

Teacher-Student PD - #195  Dmitry Syzrantsev & Tatiana Demidova (Russia)

Teacher-Student S - #195  Dmitry Syzrantsev & Tatiana Demidova (Russia)

Teacher-Student 2 Dance - #195  Dmitry Syzrantsev & Tatiana Demidova (Russia)

Pro-Am CC - #62  Worapoj Jariyathamrat & Titinan Nakornsri (Thailand)

Pro-Am S - #117  Vitaly Pushkin & Galina Pimochkina (Russia)

Pro-Am R - #62  Worapoj Jariyathamrat & Titinan Nakornsri (Thailand)

Pro-Am PD - #106  Dmitry Syzrantsev & Anna Gorskaya (Russia)

Pro-Am J - #117  Vitaly Pushkin & Galina Pimochkina (Russia)

Pro-Am 3 Dance - #62  Worapoj Jariyathamrat & Titinan Nakornsri (Thailand)

Junior Under 16 - #56  Puttipong Kongsakul & Wisaporn Thirasawaddee (Thailand)

Juvenile Under 12 - #69  Lucas Neo & Shannen Tan (Singapore)

Amateur Rising Star - #56  Puttipong Kongsakul & Wisaporn Thirasawaddee (Thailand)

Pro-Am 4 Dance - #117  Vitaly Pushkin & Galina Pimochkina (Russia)

Amateur Open - #84  Gaetano Iavarone & Emanuela Napolitano (Italy)

Professional Open - #53  Denys Demovskyy & Worapa Jariyathammarat (Thailand)

Special thanks must go out to all the students of SMU Bellare who assisted in the event in every aspect. Without all your invaluable help, life would have been far more difficult for all of us in the front line.

2nd Malaysian Open Dance Festival (MODF) 2010 - 28th August 2010

What a great event !!!!!!!!!!!! The 1st MODF was held at the humble TTDI Community Hall, this year they've already managed to upgrade themselves to the main hall in the OCM (Olympic Council of Malaysia) building and NEXT YEAR the 3rd MODF 2011 will be upgrading even higher to the ballroom at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel on the 27th August 2010. This event is climbing the ladder at supper speed and they well deserve to. Kudos to organizers Teresa Liu, Emily Mah & Lane Lee.

We had a great panel of adjudicators this year lead by chief adjudicator Mr Stuart Saunders, IDO Director Asia Pacific. Mr Saunders proved to be a firm, no fuss, no frills, down to earth fun chap who ran the event like a chief adjudicator should. He walked our lovely organizers - Teresa Liu, Emily Mah & Lane Lee - thru the corridors of rules & regulations stipulated by the IDO (who was the sanctioning body) with a gentle guiding hand, offering advise when needed and when asked to but never being intrusive. He offered constructive advise and made sure all the judges knew what they were doing with clear instructions and on hand support. We need more Chief Adjudicator like this, yes. The panel of adjudicators consisted of - Bryan Ang, Eileen Hoe (Singapore), Nancy Loo, Morina Mohamad, Ann Tan, Lily Chin, Wendy Loh, Kenny Teh (Perak), Leong Mei Ling, Jocelyn Peh (Penang), Ganesh K (Kelantan), Jessie Foo, Mac Chong, Annie Ong (Kedah), Alvin Lee (Johor), Zahra Karami (Iran), Hassan Ghasemalipor (Iran) & Farideh Ashrafghanjouie (Iran).

The organizing committee which consisted of - John Lim (President, IDO Malaysia), Emily Mah (Organizing Chairperson), Lane Lee (Secretary), Teresa Liu (Treasurer), Wong Soo Mooi (Asst. Sec.), Nancy Balkshy (Function Supervisor), Nixon Ong (Chief Scrutineer), Jimmy Heng (Chief Marshall), H L Chow (Marshall), Lilian Szetho, Kay Leong, Susan Tee, Janet Yap, Daphne Chu, Josephine Ong & Alivia Kok were all on hand to do their part in the event.

I was delighted to see everyone playing their parts to the best of their abilities with everyone assigned to task and seeing them thru with minimal supervision required. Every corner of the event had been planned and taken care of which only left one wildcard which is present in every competition - the competitors. I was suitably impressed with the runners too who tended to their task and made things appear at a mere suggestion from me e.g. "judges are allowed to sit during the judging of the team events" and taa daaaaaaa - 5 chairs appear as if by magic. Well done everyone and THANK YOU, its not everyday that i get to work with such a team.

As the name of the event signifies, this competition is an OPEN Dance Fest and we had several different disciplines of dance on display competing in their own categories, namely - Belly Dancing, Line Dancing, Hip Hop, Street Jazz & Persian Aero Dance. It had fewer categories then it did last year (the poco poco & jazz events were missing) and the dominant discipline was Belly Dancing followed by Line Dance, Hip Hop, Street Jazz & finally a brand new event called Persian Aero Dance. I am hoping that some traditional categories will be considered next year, together with some of the current favourites i.e. salsa, bachatta, swing etc. The actual dancing was full of stunning moves, heart pumping rhythms, breath taking stunts and for the first time - live music for the Belly Dance Indv. Advance category. The music for this category was only introduced to the participants an hour before their first round and then they had to prepare their choreography on the spot. Phew........talk about exciting! Anyway, if you wished you had been there to see all of this - you should have been! Make a date to be there next year :) Meanwhile, here are the champions of the various events.

PERSIAN AERO DANCE OPEN - #68  Mohammadreza Mohammadi (Iran)

STREET JAZZ SOLO OPEN - #25  Joan Thor (Malaysia)

STREET JAZZ SOLO UNDER 15 - #228  Chua Yen Ling (Malaysia)

STREET JAZZ TEAM OPEN - #277  Zen Production (Malaysia)

HIP HOP SOLO UNDER 10 - #110  Shoko Kokaji (Japan)

HIP HOP TEAM JUNIOR - #39  The Krazee Krew (Malaysia)

HIP HOP UNDER 15 - #42  Maggie Foo Mei Qi (Malaysia)

HIP HOP SOLO OPEN - #17  Vron Yeoh (Malaysia)

HIP HOP TEAM OPEN - #271  

LINE DANCE INDV. RUGRATS - #256  Glenda Peng Xinyi (Singapore)

LINE DANCE INDV. NEWCOMER CRYSTAL - #191  Ng Siew Theng (Malaysia)

LINE DANCE INDV. NEWCOMER DIAMOND - #51  Molly Yeoh (Malaysia)

LINE DANCE INDV. NOVICE OPEN - #132  Ee Kok Siong (Malaysia)

LINE DANCE INDV. NEWCOMER OPEN - #125  Samantha Leow Li May (Malaysia)

LINE DANCE INDV. NOVICE CRYSTAL - #1  Albert Lim Fung Wai

LINE DANCE INDV. NOVICE DIAMOND - #163  Kathy Tan (Malaysia) & #261  Edna Tan (Malaysia)

LINE DANCE INDV. PRIMARY - #144  Ng Ying Ying (Malaysia)

LINE DANCE INDV. INTERMEDIATE OPEN - #2  Mary Leou Phooi Kuan (Malaysia)

LINE DANCE TEAM JUNIOR - #138  The Chipmunks (Malaysia)

LINE DANCE TEAM OPEN - #118  G Force (Malaysia) - Defending Champions

LINE DANCE INDV. ADVANCE OPEN - #137  Lim Sae Min (Malaysia) - Defending Champion

BELLY DANCE INDV. JUNIOR UNDER 12 - #245  Michelle Teo Jia Wen (Malaysia)

BELLY DANCE TROUPE OPEN - #206  Luna Waves (Malaysia)

BELLY DANCE INDV. NOVICE DIAMOND - #103  Chin Siew Kim (Malaysia)

BELLY DANCE INDV. INTERMEDIATE DIAMOND - #73  May Sew (Malaysia)

BELLY DANCE INDV. NOVICE OPEN - #248  Siew Yee Li (Malaysia)

BELLY DANCE INDV. INTERMEDIATE CRYSTAL - #3  Ang Mee Mee (Malaysia)

BELLY DANCE INDV. NOVICE CRYSTAL - #250  Cara Tan (Malaysia)

BELLY DANCE INDV. INTERMEDIATE OPEN - #8  Alex Ma Rong Han (Malaysia) - YES! Its a man........woo hoo !!!!!!!!!!

BELLY DANCE INDV. ADVANCE - #71  Mandana Bakhshy (Iran)

Congratulations to all the winners and for everyone for being brave enough to take part. I'm looking forward to seeing you all again next year as you move on to your next level of competition and to see the defending open champions return to defend their titles. Remember, the 3rd MODF 2011 will be at Berjaya Times Square Hotel on the 27th August 2011. Look out for news on it.

Bronya Bishorek

2nd MODF 2010 Master of Ceremonies

ADC Amateur League Open Dance Championship 2010 - 9th May 2010

Finally ! The amateur's have a league of their own. This type of event had been spoken of for a very long time, with many people in the industry voicing their wish that this would happen. Then suddenly, we have not one but TWO such events happening in the same year here in KL. The one scheduled for June was actually mooted first but then 3 of the industries younger leaders decided to pool their resources and organizational skills together and managed to put the ADC Amateur League together first. The organizers of this event are - Ms Josephine Seow (Taipan D'Danceworld), Mr William Lor (W&L Danceworld) & Ms Carmen Chuang (A&C Dance Dynamic).

The common question on everyone's lips when we first heard of this championship was - "Who's organizing this?" Upon hearing the answer, the next question was - "Sure or not? You must be kidding?" Why such questions you ask? Let me tell you - two of them are highly successful organizers of championships and events in their own rights, having put together many competitions of their own in the past. The other, is a newcomer to the arena of competitions but who has many great plans for the industry and its dancers. Could these 3 strongly opinionated, strong willed, independent people work together?? When i questioned each one of these friends of mine, i got similar answers - "Why not?", "If we dont try, we wont know, right?" and "What have we got to loose?". Brave words from people from such different backgrounds, methods and ideology.

Everyone was sceptical, including yours truely. I was mentally preparing myself to take sides should a disagreement break out on the days leading to the event, but my loyalties were totally divided. I had known William the longest and have always aknowledged him as my latin 'si fu', but I had watched Carmen grow from a new dancer to an accomplished owner of a studio and then i had also forged an easy open relationship with Josephine in the short number of years I had known her. Who's side would I take if a clash of these strong wills should happen???

I should have known better and trusted these young leaders. They all worked together professionally, right to the end, despite people (including spouses) telling them it wouldn't work. Why? Because they all shared in ONE belief - that a change for the better COULD be achieved and transparency in competition could be attained. BRAVO !

The competition started with all of us arriving before 7am at the Shah Alam National Sport Stadium (formerly known as the Panasonic Sports Center). It certainly was not the first time we have held a championship in a stadium but it certainly was the first time we had done it in an un-air cond stadium. With the number of bodies warming up on the floor it was no surprise that the working committee was sweating as freely as the dancers on the floor. Unfortunately, there was also a swimming event going on right next to the indoor arena with a really loud sound system which prevented us from opening the doors on two sides of the stadium. Ventilation was not the best feature of the arena BUT at least we had a decent floor which didn't give us much problems. Luckily, the competitors had air cond changing rooms so as soon as I requested the floor to be cleared for the start of the event, they all went off to their rooms to cool off and change.

The competiton, as do most, had a shaky start as the marshalls did their best to gather the beginners into their groups. And the beginners, as do most, didn't seem to understand that competitions run to a schedule for a reason and that you had to show up on time as indicated in the programme and as announced by the emcee (many, many times). However, once everyone got their footing, the day started to really move along with only the occasional hiccup here and there. Steven headed the marshalls with Stanley as his right hand man. Both did a great job, given the circumstances. Thanks guys.

This championship had many of the industries 'first' which were all targetted towards transparency and fairness to the competitors. The first was that for the first time, ever, the beginner events not only had the regulation number of adjudicators but also had 4 independent invigilators who were stationed around the floor purely to monitor the beginners syllabus. This was to ensure that the adjudicators could be left to just judge the dancing without having to worry about if couples were adhering to the syllabus and to make it completely fair to the beginners who should only be competing against other beginners.

The second 'first' was that both competitors in the Ladies Adult and Ladies Under 12 events were made to wear 'ladies costumes'. This was a little strange and something that I did not agree with. Internationally, competitors in ladies events (or same sex events) are required to dress according to the same rules of mixed gender events i.e. one dresses as a lady and the other dresses as a man. I feel this also helps define which of the competitors is the lead dancer and therefore is also clearer to the judges. Having them both dress in ladies costumes made the event look more like a 'duo' event such as those held in Line Dancing competitions and therefore confused the spectators as well as some of the judges. I for one, am sincerely hoping that this will not be repeated in the next event.

The third 'first', and the most welcomed I feel, was the Visual Marking which was used in not only the Amateur level but also for the first time, ever, in the Pre Amateur level too. This is where judges have to individually display their chosen results for each couple after EVERY dance. It is a time consuming process but an important one in allowing EVERYONE to see that the results are not tampered with in the journey from the judges hands to the runners hands, to the scrutineers hands and finally to the emcee's hands. Many couples expressed their delighted surprise in this method of marking which made them feel more in control of their performance and not feel that some couples were being favoured over others. However, in one case there was a judge (who shall remain nameless) that appeared to favour one couple of the floor more then the others by giving them 1's when other judges gave them no more then 5's & 6's. But then, that's the purpose of visual marking - for all to see that it really is the judges decision.

Here are the details :-

Event organizers : Josephine Seow, William Lor, Carmen Chuang

Adjudicators : Mihoko Hattori (Japan), Lawrence Chan (Hong Kong), Wantanee Kenchana (Thailand), Seonarko Josodihardjo (Indonesia), Dharshan Wijaya (Sri Lanka), Melvin Low (Singapore), T'eh Swee Guan, Frances Teoh, Benny Chan, Billeon Yong, Janice Chew, John Lim, Khor Kin Ho, Lee Boon Tiong, Ooi Hock Sang, Raymond Tee, Tam Kok Choy, Thomas Tan, Yap Yen Chin & Y S Lee.

Independent Invigilators : Wantanee Kenchana (Thailand), Melvin Low (Singapore), Lee Yoke Seong & Eric Tan.

Independent Observer : Ngooi Chui Ing

RESULTS :-

Beginners Waltz - #8 Adrian Tan Ser Thong & Gan Kar Mern (Malaysia)

Beginners Tango - #92 Lee ban Keong & Lily Koh (Malaysia)

Beginners Quickstep - #109 Norman Tiong & Ang Li Lean (Malaysia)

Beginners Foxtrot - #109 Norman Tiong & Ang Li Lean (Malaysia)

Beginners Cha Cha - #13 Aevent Koh & Trista Lee (Malaysia)

Beginners Rumba - #13 Aevent Koh & Trista Lee (Malaysia)

Beginners Samba - #27 Bryan Foo & Sylvia Teng (Malaysia)

Beginners Paso Doble - #13 Aevent Koh & Trista Lee (Malaysia)

Beginners Jive - #27 Bryan Foo & Sylvia Teng (Malaysia)

Ladies Adult - #55 Esther Ho & Rachel Chew (Malaysia)

Ladies Under 12 - #128 Tammie Lim & Zoe Lim (Malaysia)

Novice Modern - #86 Kenny Li & Connie Fung (Hong Kong)

Novice Latin - #83 Kelvin Ong Chun Hoong & Nicol Lor (Malaysia)

Senior Over 40 Modern - #19 Andrew Yow & Rita Rahardjo (Indonesia)

Senior Over 40 Latin - #33 Cheah Kwen Choy & Si Geok Tin (Malaysia)

Juvenile Under 12 Latin - #20 Andy Law & Felicia Mok (Malaysia)

Junior Under 16 Modern - #59 Godfrey Ch'ng & Petrina Ch'ng (Malaysia)

Junior Under 16 Latin - #157 Siew Wai Lok & Joey Wong (Malaysia)

Senior Over 50 Modern - #19 Andrew Yow & Rita Rahardjo (Indonesia)

Pre-Amateur Modern - #86 Kenny Li & Connie Fung (Hong Kong)

Pre-Amateur Latin - #108 Nicholas Tan & Sylvia Lee (Malaysia)

Amateur Open Modern - #77 Johnston Lim & Nicole Tan (Malaysia)

Amateur Open Latin - #25 Billy Yong Chun Haou & Carmen Choo Kar Mun (Malaysia)

Congratulations to all the winners and well done to all the competitors. Everyone did their best but if you felt your best wasn't good enough then you know you can always do better the next time.

Check out the photo's posted here, taken by Ms Hoo Sze Yen, Editor - The Dance Directory and check out the website while you're at it www.thedancedirectory.com.myfor postings of past and future events in the region. The event was also covered by Just Dance!, Malaysia first dance magazine, so look out for mention of this event in the coming issue.

2010 VIETNAM ABLE CUP OPEN DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIP, QUI NHON, VIETNAM (28-30th April 2010)

 

After staying overnight in Ho Chi Minh City, the Japanese contingent and I caught the only flight into Qui Nhon which departs at 7:10am *yawn*. The airport in Qui Nhon is very reminicent to the airport in Ipoh back in the 1960's (see photos). We then had a 45 min bus ride to the official hotel which is situated right across from the public beach. After managing to catch a nap to recover from our very early start, the working committe had a briefing to discuss the next 3 days. 

Day 1 (28th) would be a 'teaser' for the public to help educate them on Dancesport and also to welcome our foreign competitors and adjudicators (see videos) It included several traditional performances by our hosts which were rather interesting. Day 2 (29th) was an evening of workshops (Alex Lim - Standard and Mr & Mrs Ota - Latin) and Dancesport demonstrations by 20 couples from both the local and international contingents. Very entertaining and educational for everyone. We had a lovely dinner after that at a beautiful private restaurant. Day 3 (30th) was the actual day of the competition. After a rough start where the international working team discovered how unprepared the local working committee was, we put in emergency plans and got everything moving and educated our local team on the methods and protocols of an international championship with 'on the job' training. It ended well and not too far off from our scheduled time. We wrapped up with a farewell dinner at the official hotel with all the competitors and adjudicators. Here are the details of the competition.

Panel of Adjudicators :

Dato Dr Henry Ooi - Chief Adjudicator (Malaysia) 
Mihoko Hattori (Japan)
Wanthanee Kanchana (Thailand)
Alex Lim (Malaysia)
Hironori Ota (Japan)
Kenji Po (Hong Kong)
Takuhide Takeda (Japan)
Juliana Foo (Hong Kong)
Mikiya Higuchi (Japan).

Results - Standard Events :

Grade D (Beginners W,T) - Zhang Lei & Penn Chan (Hong Kong)
Grade C (Juvenile W,T,Q) - Nguyen Tuan Dat & Phan Nguyen Quynh Huong (Ha Noi)
Grade C (Senor 35 W,T,Q) - Yang Li & Cheung Ah Mui (Hong Kong)
Grade C (Junior W,T,Q) - Nguyen Tuan Dat & Phan Nguyen Quynh Huong (Ha Noi)
Grade B (Open W,T,F,Q) - Jeerasak Watanarom & Chonlada Thaneeroj (Thailand)
Grade A (Open W,T,V,F,Q) - Yuta & Kumiko Nakagawa (Japan)

Results - Latin Events :

Grade D (Beginners C,R) - Pham Bao Long & Nguyen Hoai Huong (Ha Noi)
Grade C (Juvenile C,R,J) - Vu Hoang Anh Minh & Le Hoang Ha Ly (Ha Noi)
Grade C (Senior 35 C,R,J) - Vi Manh Cuong & Vu Minh Hang (Hai Phong)
Grade C (Junior C,R,J) - Phongsiri Saengmani & Piyathida Teerasartsilp (Thailand)
Grade B (Open C,S,R,J) - Phongsiri Saengmani & Piyathida Teerasartsilp (Thailand)
Grade A (Open C,S,R,P,J) - Hirotsugu Sanada & Aiko Nakano (Japan)

The couples from Vietnam showed great promise to break into the international Dancesport scene and I look forward to seeing them out and about very soon.