By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 5: Sarawak’s very own “Little Bornean Birdie” Dion Das Louis has made Malaysia proud after clinching a silver medal at the prestigious Dance World Cup 2025 Finals in Burgos, Spain.
According to a media release today, the Year 3 student from SK Green Road, Kuching, competed in the Mini Solo National and Folklore category on July 4, soaring to second place among 34 international contestants with an impressive score of 93.8 per cent, a mere 0.3 per cent behind the gold medallist.
Dion captivated the judges with an ethnic creative dance performance inspired by Sarawak’s cultural heritage, particularly the Ngajat Iban dance and two iconic birds of Borneo, namely the Burung Ruai (Great Argus) and the Kenyalang Hornbill.
The two-minute music for the piece was composed by local fusion group Sada Borneo, with another segment contributed by world music ensemble At Adau, enhancing the performance’s authenticity and emotional resonance.
Dion’s striking parade costume, evoking the spirit of the jungle and the majesty of Sarawak’s avian wonders, was custom-designed by Gilbert Headhunter, a Sibu-born designer based in Kuala Lumpur known for his bold, indigenous-inspired creations.
Dion’s family extended their appreciation to sponsors and supporters who made Dion’s journey possible, including the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra), Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), Ghee Hua Group of Companies, Kelab Kaban Golf Samarahan, International Education Legacy Foundation, and the United Asia Entrepreneur Chamber of Commerce. — DayakDaily
