By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 1: Kuching-based Tyng Dance Academy (TDA) returned with 51 medals from the 5th World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) Malaysia Open DanceSport Championship 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, while a second academy delegation earned three Merit Awards at the Asian Elite Dance Championship in Shanghai.
The academy fielded two teams that competed simultaneously in the two cities from July 23 to 26 after departing Sarawak on Sarawak Day on July 22 to represent the State on the national and regional dance stage.
In Kuala Lumpur, TDA amassed 22 gold, 14 silver and 11 bronze medals, along with four placement medals awarded in the Malaysia DanceSport Federation national-ranking categories.
Nine-year-old Jovanna Goh Yi Xian emerged as the academy’s top performer after winning eight gold and two bronze medals. She swept all five gold medals in the Juvenile I Open Solo category and added three more gold medals in the Age 9 Open Solo event, while also securing two bronze medals after competing in the higher Juvenile II division.
Another standout performer, Trisha Yap, captured five gold, one silver and one bronze medal. She also placed fifth in the WDSF Southeast Asian Championship Female Solo Latin Adult event and sixth in the WDSF Open Solo Latin Female Youth category.
Fellow nine-year-old Ariella Tang Chen Xin contributed three gold and five silver medals, while Claudin Tay secured three gold and two bronze medals in the Adult Open Solo category. Amanda Goh claimed three gold, one silver and one bronze medal in the University Open Solo division.
Jayda Chang also delivered a consistent performance, collecting seven silver and five bronze medals across the Junior II Open Solo, Youth Open Solo and Malaysia DanceSport Federation national-ranking events.
The Kuala Lumpur delegation was led by TDA founder and principal Chan Tyng Tyng, together with teacher Winnie Chong Yee Tze.
Meanwhile, TDA’s Shanghai delegation, led by teacher Elaine Chai Sin Yee, also produced encouraging results, with all three dancers receiving Merit Awards.
Calla Roa Tayan Salang and Teo Wei Tien earned Merit Awards in the Classical Duo Junior I category, while Jocelyn Yap Tai Xii received a Merit Award in the Repertoire Solo Adult event.
Chan described the campaign as particularly meaningful as both teams departed Sarawak on Sarawak Day.
“Our students departed on Sarawak Day carrying more than their costumes and competition goals. They carried the Sarawak flag, the hopes of their families and the spirit of Anak Sarawak with them.
“To see our dancers competing confidently in Kuala Lumpur and Shanghai at the same time was deeply meaningful. Every medal and every achievement represents years of discipline, sacrifice, teamwork and belief,” she said.
Following the competitions, eight TDA dancers have travelled to Taiwan to compete in the Taipei Open Championship from Aug 1 to 2, marking the third stop in the academy’s latest Asian competition campaign.
The achievements come as Tyng Dance Academy celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The academy is also set to host the 4th Borneo Open International DanceSport Championship and Convention 2026 in Kuching from Dec 2 to 8. — DayakDaily
