Dancesport Competitions - The Great Debate

In my Article 139 of March 8 2010 titled "China Tops Figure Skating Medal Tally At Vancouver Olympics", I talked about figure skating; a sport known for its grace, elegance and athleticism - attributes quite similar to those of dancesport. There are four disciplines in figure skating: singles (men & ladies), pairs and ice dance. In singles skating, skaters must complete a short programme of required steps, jumps, spins and combinations and a longer free skating programme, both set to music. The pairs events follows the same format as the singles. In this event, one male and one female skater work in unison incorporating lifts, throws and synchronized jumps, spins and spirals linked harmoniously by steps and other movements.

Ice dance is performed by a couple and is based on their rhythm, interpretation of music and precise steps. Unlike pairs skating, ice dance does not include overhead lifts and jumps. Ice dance is similar to ballroom dancing as the skaters remain in contact throughout most of the programme. An ice dance competition is made up of three parts: one compulsory dance, an original dance and a free dance. Compulsory dance is the skating of prescribed patterns to music incorporating pre-determined rhythm and tempo. Original dance and free dance are created by each couple to music of their own choice. There are also required elements such as lifts, spins, synchronized twizzles and step sequences that must be included in these programmes.

In figure skating competitions, the contestants perform their routines solo due to the likelihood of collisions if all of them were to perform together, unlike in dancesport competitions where all the couples usually dance together. In dancesport competitions, minor collisions and 'blockages' sometimes do happen. Figure skating competitions are entertaining to watch as you get to savour the thrill of seeing each individual or pair present the whole routine unhindered and unrestrained. This is unlike dancesport competitions where you have to dart your eyes to watch all the couples dance in a routine lasting about 2 minutes. Adjudicators meanwhile have to mark all the contestants within the short time frame. Everything seems so hurried and rushed.

There has been debates on whether the finals in the major events (eg Professional or Amateur) in dancesport competitions should be danced solo as in figure skating competitions. Recently I watched a DVD of a major dancesport competition held in Tokyo, Japan where the six finalists in the professional event had to perform together all the five dances a total of six times each. The contestants were basically dancing the same routine to the same music six times for each of the five dances, and they looked jaded at the end of the competition. Wouldn't it be better for all of the couples to perform solo? The competitors could have given a better presentation and the audience would have been entertained to a showdance performance just as well.

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> China Tops Figure Skating Medal Tally At Vancouver Olympics

Meet The KLDA Idols!

Meet the KLDA Idols who are a bunch of vivacious and gregarious youngsters who just love to dance and 'wanna' have fun. This dance troupe which was formed last year are trained by Dean Craig Kim from South Korea, the resident coach at the Kuala Lumpur Dancers' Association (KLDA). The KLDA Idols' first public appearance was at the KLDA Gala Ball 2009 on August 8 where they stole the show with a spectacular and very entertaining performance. Since then, the KLDA Idols have performed at a few other functions organized by the KLDA. The members meet up regularly at the KLDA to attend dance classes and to practise there. The present 4 couples of the KLDA Idols comprise the following:-


Vernon Choo (16) & Cheah Yen Thing (15)

This young couple has been dancing together for 5 years and they were the Malaysian Junior Latin Under 16 champions for many years. They have represented Malaysia in many dance competitions in Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan and won the South East Asia Latin Junior Under 16 Championship in 2008. The both of them are studying in Sri Garden School in Kuala Lumpur.


Alfred Choo (18) & Carmen Choo (21)

Alfred and Carmen have participated in many dance competitions in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong and Taiwan. They represented Malaysia in the dancesport Latin events at the Asian Indoor Games 2009 in Hanoi, Vietnam where they managed to make it to the semi-finals. Both are presently dancing with different competition partners now.


Kelvin Choo (20) & Villy Chai (27)

Kelvin & Villy were very active competition dancers with their previous partners and have won numerous championships before. A first year undergraduate at the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus in Semenyih, Kelvin also teaches dancing during his free time. Villy, a business woman and part-time dance teacher, competes in Latin American Amateur events.


Lee Keng Lek (18) & Hazel Swee (21)

Standing at 180 cm, Keng Lek is the tallest in the group. Keng Lek and Hazel were former competition partners before splitting their partnership. The tallish Keng Lek who now competes in the Ballroom Amateur events is probably the youngest Malaysian competitor in this category. Both Keng Lek and Hazel are currently pursuing their tertiary education in Kuala Lumpur.

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Alex Lim Crowned Gatsby Styling Dance Champion

Alex "Poppin' Rex" Lim (pic) has done Malaysia proud by winning the Gatsby Styling Dance Contest Asia Finals in Tokyo, Japan on February 27 2010. At this street dance competition which was held at the chic Shibuya O-East Arena in Tokyo, Alex beat contestants from the other participating countries; Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Singapore to grab The Greatest Gatsby Award, a cash prize of 300,000 Yen (RM11,400) and a dance exchange tour to any two of the participating countries. The joint first runners-up were 4C The Power of South Korea and Bloos Dynamite of Hong Kong. Both teams each won a cash prize of 100,000 Yen (RM3,800) and a dance exchange tour to any one of the participating countries.

The judges for the Gatsby Styling Dance Contest Asia Finals were Karisma Kantaro, Fishboy, Dee, Miho Brown and a representative from each of the seven participating countries. As all the contestants were equally good, the judges initially had a problem deciding on the winner. Eventually they all agreed that the crown should be given to Alex "Poppin' Rex" Lim for his creative and fresh dance moves. Alex showcased an improvised and simple street dance routine without much of the thrills and frills. Dressed in a gold-coloured Chinese kungfu jacket and black jeans, he had the crowd in stitches with his funny antics and facial expressions. Besides winning The Greatest Gatsby Award, Alex also clinched a Gatsby Grooving Award.

The affable Alex, 21 who hails from the royal town of Klang in Selangor took up hip hop dancing when he was 18 and trained at the Royal Phantom Dance Studio in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya. He was soon taking part in local hip hop dance competitions and winning numerous championships along the way. Even though Alex knows that the job prospects for dancers are quite limited in Malaysia, he intends to further his studies in dance and pursue a career as a professional dancer. He hopes that with further exposure, the dance scene in Malaysia will grow to be as big as those in other countries like Japan. Hopefully, Alex's victory at the Gatsby Styling Dance Contest Asia Finals in Tokyo will give a fillip to street dance in Malaysia.

China Tops Figure Skating Medal Tally At Vancouver Olympics

The 21st Winter Olympic Games 2010 which was held in Vancouver, Canada beginning February 12, came to an official close on February 28. This Olympiad saw the participation of some 2600 athletes from 82 nations competing in 86 winter sports in 15 disciplines. Canada topped the medal tally with 14 golds, 7 silvers and 5 bronzes followed by Germany with 10 golds, 13 silvers & 7 bronzes and the United States of America with 9 golds, 15 silvers & 13 bronzes for the overall top 3 placings. It is the first time Canada have topped the medal standings at a Winter or Summer Olympic Games.

One of the most popular attractions at the Vancouver Olympics was figure skating, a sport known for its grace, elegance and athleticism - attributes quite similar to those of dancesport. In this event, China won first placing with 1 gold and 1 silver. The United States which also collected a gold and a silver was placed second whilst Canada came in third with 1 gold and 1 bronze. South Korea bagged the remaining gold to take fourth placing. The other medal winners were the Russian Federation and Japan with 1 silver and 1 bronze each, and Germany with a solitary bronze.

There are 4 disciplines in figure skating as explained in vancouver2010.com, the official website of the Games. They are singles (men and ladies), pairs and ice dance. In singles skating, skaters must complete both a short programme of required steps, jumps, spins and combinations and a longer free skating programme, both set to music. The pairs event follows the same format as the singles. In this event one male and one female skater work in unison incorporating lifts, throws and synchronized jumps, spins and spirals linked harmoniously by steps and other movements.

Ice dance is performed by a couple and is based on their rhythm, interpretation of music and precise steps. Unlike pairs skating, ice dance does not include overhead lifts and jumps. Ice dance is similar to ballroom dancing, as the skaters remain in contact throughout most of the programme. An ice dance competition is made up of three parts: one compulsory dance, an original dance and a free dance. Compulsory dance is the skating of prescribed patterns to music incorporating pre-determined rhythm and tempo. Original dance and free dance are created by each couple to music of their own choice.

For The Love Of Dance

If you are taking dance lessons, how far would you be willing to travel from your home to your dance studio for your weekly classes? I remembered when I was taking regular dance lessons in Kuala Lumpur many, many years ago I knew of several dance aficionados from the other states travelling to the capital city to pursue their love of dance. In my class I became acquainted with some students from Klang, Selangor which is about 40 km from Kuala Lumpur. I also got to know a few students from Seremban, Negri Sembilan and Melaka City, Melaka situated 64km and 144 km respectively from Kuala Lumpur who would drive up to Kuala Lumpur for their weekly lessons. The journeys would take them approximately 1 hour and 2 hours respectively.

Then there was this retired doctor from Ipoh, Perak who would come down to Kuala Lumpur every week almost without fail to attend classes. He would hire a taxi for the 205 km journey to KL and would take 3 different group classes at one stretch from 8.00 pm to 11.00 pm while the taxi driver waited for him outside the studio. After finishing his lessons he would then take the almost 3 hour journey back home to Ipoh. For his age he was sprightly and I could see that he really enjoyed dancing. He told me that he looked forward to coming down to KL to dance every week. It was like a weekly 'fix' for him! As a doctor he certainly must have known the health benefits of dancing!

The one who really takes the cake for the love of dance must be this young couple from Alor Setar in Kedah, a town located 462 km north of Kuala Lumpur. This couple would take the bus from Alor Setar every week for the more than 6 hour trek to KL. Arriving at the Puduraya Bus Station in KL at about 7.00 pm they would hop on a cab to get them to one dance studio in Cheras to take their Latin American dance lesson. After the lesson was over they would proceed to another studio in Pudu to learn ballroom. When the class was over, they would rush to Puduraya Bus Station to take the bus for the long haul back home, arriving in Alor Setar at about 5.00 am the next morning!