Malaysia wins 20 gold medals at World Performing Arts Championships

PETALING JAYA: Team Malaysia won 20 gold medals in the 21st World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) that was held in the United States recently.

Malaysia also won 20 silver and nine bronze medals at the invitation-only event, dubbed the "Talent Olympics".

Malaysia was represented by 17 performers in the category of dance, instrumental and vocals from 78 competitions in various disciplines.

Additionally, the team also won 12 Champion of the World awards for being the overall winner in their respective genre or style within the junior or senior age group, and three Industry Awards, which are special awards given by judges.

Three Malaysian dancers also won scholarships to the Millennium Dance Complex, known worldwide as the premiere studio of the commercial dance world.

The biggest achiever at the event was the dance duo team of Zaidy and Fiqah who won six gold, one silver and three Champion of the World Awards.

Sape player Saufi Aiman Yahya, won four gold, one silver and three Champion of the World Awards.

The Malaysian team competed against 60 countries in front of 75 judges from the entertainment industry.

The competition was held from June 30 to July 9 in Long Beach, California, for aspiring performers and entertainers.