The inaugural KL International Dance Festival was held at Berjaya Times Square between the 4th and 10th of June. In the week-long event, there were workshops, performances and competitions. Most importantly, it held the 1st MALAYSIAN IDSF OPEN WORLD RANKING DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIP on the 9th of June.
The preliminaries were held on the LG floor of Berjaya Times Square at the Concourse. A floor had been installed and everyone from all levels could watch competitors battling out on the dance floor. Furthermore, it was free viewing for the afternoon events! Can you imagine the crowd that attended? First you've got the competitors and their supporters... THEN you get the Saturday afternoon shoppers... CRAZY!!
I competed in C and D categories again... unfortunately Mr. LYS didnt think we were ready for B despite winning D in the last competition. Then again, that was only a month ago and this was going to be an international competition... couples from over 16 countries came to compete. PO wanted us to compete in B tho... oh well..
Anyway, in our category, there were couples from Sg(Phil+US), Taipei and HK too.. and obviously other Msian couples.. There was electricity in the air... was such a different feeling. So many spectators and the spotlight... blinding.. but was essential for my top to sparkle.. haha... Competing with international couples was certainly an experience. I dont know to explain it, but the international couples were everywhere! You could feel the difference in standards when competing against international competitors as opposed to only local competitors.
Anyhoo... parents, sister and friends came to support. Was a really good feeling. I've never had such support before. To know that your family and friends are there watching and supporting you is sweet. Always tried to position myself near them.
We danced in our prelims of the 2 events (C and D categories) in front of Berjaya Times Square... amazing feeling... and managed to fight our way into the finals! We were the only couple from Msia who made the finals which was rather surprising cause that meant we beat a nemesis of mine who has always beat me to-date. Partner was ecstatic.. but it is probably a fluke. In the eyes of most judges, they are better then us... they were probably unlucky and were not noticed.
The finals were held at Berjaya Hotel in the Manhattan Ballroom.. beautiful hall and they had installed an excellent dance floor. The C Latin finals was the first to be showcased.... exhilarating! We were the ONLY Msians on the floor.. it felt so competitive and the adrenaline rush...unbelievable. I managed to sneak my parents in for the D Latin finals... bouncers were getting tired I think...
Unfortunately, we were placed last in the finals of D Latin which was a little disappointing cause all we were hoping was not to come last in the finals... but we still took it all in our stride.. we were still the only Msians to have made the finals afterall.. The same couples had also made it into the C category finals... so it was rather strange when we weren't last in what is supposed to be the tougher event... and we did not com in 5th... and not 4th.. but third!!! I was quite surprised! We didnt expect to do so well! We didnt even expect to make finals for C. But I have to say, the usual competition from the local circuit and also the Thai couples were not there...
Whatever the case, we've managed to convince our coach that we belong in the higher categories.. but it also means we're going to be in a dry spell for awhile cause competition in B is so much higher.. but we'll be concentrating on C for now I guess. Hehe... more hard work and hopefully we'll establish ourselves as dancers deserving to be in the B category!!
