Chinese groups dominate in Lion Dance Championship

China’s two lion dancing troupes both won top prizes in the fifth MGM International Lion Dance Championship, which concluded on Sunday.
After two days of fierce competition, the Foshan Nanhai Huangfeihong Zhonglian Cable Lion Dragon and Martial Art Association from China took home the championship title, while the China Guangdong Zhaoqing Electricity Dragon & Lion Dance Troupe was awarded the Gold Trophy in the female lion dance performance competition.
He Can Tian, a member of the wining team, told the media after the event that the victory at the troup’s first attempt came after only one month of advance training.
“We became the champions by fluke (…) I wish to continue to make breakthroughs in terms of difficulty,” said He.
A lion dance fan watching the final, which was held at MGM’s resort, said that the Foshan group’s performances are famous back on the mainland.
During the event, a total of 23 competitive troupes performed gravity-defying moves as a part of skillful and acrobatic pole-jumping routines.
The traditional Chinese Lion Dance has gained popularity across the globe in recent years, and has now grown into an internationally recognized sport. AU