The “12th International Lion Dance Championship 2025 – MGM Cup” concluded yesterday at Macau Forum in Zape, where various teams continued to showcase the traditional art form and the skills behind it in different categories.
Gathering teams from different parts of the world, the two-day lion dance championship kicked off on Saturday and was held in front of Ma Kok (A Ma) Temple in Barra, with the venue change due to inclement weather.
Yesterday’s “Youth Traditional Lion Dance Championship” featured eight teams vying for top prizes, with “Shenzhen Yidetang Dragon & Lion Dance Association - Chinese Dragon & Lion Dance Sports Association” emerging as champions. In the ensuing “Women’s Traditional Lion Dance Championship”, the “Mak Chi Leong Dragon & Lion Dance Association Macau” came out on top of the eight competing teams.
Moreover, the “Junior Traditional Lion Dance Championship”, saw MGM GOLDEN LION TROUPE – A take home the top prize.
The day prior, “Freestyle Lion Dance Championship (High Pole)” saw 14 troupes competing in front of Ma Kok Temple, with the “Foshan Nanhai Huangfeihong Zhonglian Cable Lion Dragon & Martial Art Association - Chinese Dragon & Lion Dance Sports Association” claiming the top prize in the championship.
The winning teams were all awarded during last night’s prize-giving ceremony.
This year’s championship featured 21 teams from 13 countries and regions, with nearly 260 athletes participating, integrated resort operator MGM said in a statement on Saturday. Over 60 percent of the participants were from abroad, while there was an increase of over 14 percent in youth participation this year.
Moreover, aside from the championship, an ongoing exhibition on the lion dance cultures of China, Japan and South Korea is being showcased at Navy Yard No.2 in the Barra district, with exhibitiongoers able to visit it until October 12.
Members of the “Mak Chi Leong Dragon & Lion Dance Association Macau” (above) and the “Shenzhen Yidetang Dragon & Lion Dance Association - Chinese Dragon & Lion Dance Sports Association” deliver winning performances in their respective categories at the 12th International Lion Dance Championship 2025 – MGM Cup at Macau Forum in Zape. – Photos: Rui Pastorin
