MEDIA RELEASES
The “12th MGM International Lion Dance Championship 2025–MGM Cup” ended today after two days of thrilling competition. Twenty-one elite lion dance troupes from 13 countries and regions competed fiercely for the championship titles, with the Foshan Nanhai Huangfeihong Zhonglian Cable Lion Dragon & Martial Art Association - Chinese Dragon & Lion Dance Sports Association emerging victorious and claiming the coveted championship. Although the Junior, Youth, and Female division competitions were relocated to the Macao Forum due to weather conditions, the venue change did not dampen the enthusiasm of the many fans who came to witness the performances.
Held in conjunction with the "Lion Dance Festival", this year's championship created a multifaceted "Culture + Sports + Tourism" experience. Amplified by the National Day Golden Week holiday, the series of events reached record highs in international participation, community engagement, and cross-cultural exchange. The Championship not only fostered mutual learning among Chinese and overseas lion dance traditions but also united people across cultures through the spirit of lion dance, adding another highlight to the “Culture City of East Asia 2025 – Macao, China” initiative and showcasing Macau's unique cultural confidence and urban vitality to the world.
A Spectacular Competition Showcasing an A New Generation of Lion Dance Talent
The highly anticipated “Freestyle Lion Dance (High Pole)” competition took centre stage on October 4, featuring 14 world-class lion dance troupes that delivered breathtaking performances combining strength, grace, and precision. Ultimately, Foshan Nanhai Huangfeihong Zhonglian Cable Lion Dragon & Martial Art Association - Chinese Dragon & Lion Dance Sports Association claimed the championship with masterful technique and perfect teamwork. While Singapore Yiwei Athletic Association and Myanmar Long De Chuan Ren Dragon and Lion Dance Association won the first and second runner-up titles, respectively.
The Junior, Youth, and Female division competitions were equally impressive, showcasing the immense potential and innovative spirit of the new generation of lion dancers. In the “Junior Traditional Lion Dance” category, MGM GOLDEN LION TROUPE - A was crowned the champion, with MGM GOLDEN LION TROUPE - B as the first runner-up and Grupo Desportivo Chong Son as the second runner-up. The "Female Traditional Lion Dance" championship was awarded to Mak Chi Leong Dragon & Lion Dance Association Macau, with Singapore Yiwei Athletic Association and Chinese Martial Arts Dragon and Lion Dance Association of Hong Kong Lion Dance Team taking the first and second runner-up spots. The Youth division saw fierce competition with a record number of entries; Shenzhen Yidetang Dragon & Lion Dance Association - Chinese Dragon & Lion Dance Sports Association took first place, followed by Ou Kong Si San Kit Yee Tong and Myanmar Long De Chuan Ren Dragon and Lion Dance Association.
Pun King Man, Vice Chairman of the Wushu General Association of Macau and a veteran referee of the championship, stated, “Having witnessed this championship’s growth, I can say this year’s competition has reached a new height. The overall technical standard of the teams is exceptionally high, and the enthusiastic response from the live audience is the best proof. I especially admire the organizer’s commitment to our cultural legacy, by creating dedicated divisions for junior, youth and female competitors, they have provided a roadmap for development for teams worldwide, which is vital for the legacy of our culture. My hope is to see this tradition embraced by more non-Chinese friends worldwide, and we are committed to making that happen.”
The award presentation ceremony was held today at the Macao Forum, graced by a distinguished lineup of guests of honour, including Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO); Jeremy Ho, Head of Events Promotion and International Relations Division of the Sports Bureau(ID); Sit Kai Sin, Director of the Maritime Museum of the Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA); Chan Weng Kit, Chairman of Dragon & Lion Dance Federation of Asia and President of Wushu General Association of Macau (WGAM);Lu Yuedi, Chairman of International Dragon and Lion Dance Federation (IDLDF); Huang Qintian, Vice President of the Chinese Dragon and Lion Dance Sports Association (CDLDA); Edmund Wong, Vice President of Wushu General Association of Macau; Catarina Lio, Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing of MGM; Irene Wong, Senior Vice President of Public and Community Relations of MGM.
The entire event was once again live-streamed globally via MGM’s official Facebook page, the Facebook and YouTube channels of long-shi.com, and 15 streaming platforms in Mainland China, attracting nearly 3 million viewers online and offline channels.
China - Japan - Korea Lion Dance Artistry Showcase Extends Cultural Exchange
The concurrently held “Lion Dance Festival” received an overwhelming public response. The special exhibition featuring lion dance cultures from China, Japan, and Korea - currently on display at Navy Yard No. 1 in the Barra District until October 12 - has drawn large crowds of residents and tourists. More than 100 participants have registered for the event’s workshops and sharing sessions.
The celebration extended into the community, with lion dance troupes from the three regions performing a flash mob in the Three Lamps District, interacting closely with the public in a joyous atmosphere.
“The 12th International Lion Dance Championship 2025 – MGM Cup" is organized by MGM and Dragon & Lion Dance Federation of Asia, co-organized by WGAM, with the Chinese Dragon & Lion Dance Sports Association serving as the advisory unit. Supporting units include the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, the International Dragon and Lion Dance Federation, Sports Bureau, DSEDJ, IC, MGTO, IAM, and DSAMA.
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“The 12th International Lion Dance
Championship 2024 – MGM Cup”
Results of “Freestyle Lion Dance Championship”
|
Ranking |
Team |
Score |
|
Champion |
Foshan Nanhai Huangfeihong |
9.40 |
|
1st Runner-up |
Singapore Yiwei Athletic Association |
9.30 |
|
2nd Runner-up |
Myanmar Long De Chuan Ren Dragon and Lion Dance Association |
9.11 |
Results of “Women’s Traditional Lion Dance Championship”
|
Ranking |
Team |
Score |
|
Champion |
Mak Chi Leong Dragon & Lion Dance Association Macau |
9.18 |
|
1st Runner-up |
Singapore Yiwei Athletic Association |
9.04 |
|
2nd Runner-up |
Chinese Martial Arts Dragon and Lion Dance Association of Hong Kong Lion Dance Team |
9.02 |
Results of “Youth Traditional Lion Dance Championship”
|
Ranking |
Team |
Score |
|
Champion |
Shenzhen Yidetang Dragon & Lion Dance Association - Chinese Dragon & Lion Dance Sports Association |
9.12 |
|
1st Runner-up |
Ou Kong Si San Kit Yee Tong |
8.99 |
|
2nd Runner-up |
Myanmar Long De Chuan Ren Dragon and Lion Dance Association |
8.9 |
Results of “Junior Traditional Lion Dance Championship”
|
Ranking |
Team |
Score |
|
Champion |
MGM GOLDEN LION TROUPE - A |
9.01 |
|
1st Runner-up |
MGM GOLDEN LION TROUPE - B |
8.86 |
|
2nd Runner-up |
Grupo Desportivo Chong Son |
8.75 |
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About MGM
MGM is an abbreviation for MGM China Holdings Limited (HKEx: 2282) and is a leading developer, owner and operator of gaming and lodging resorts in Greater China. We are the holding company of MGM Grand Paradise, SA which holds one of the six gaming concessions to run casino games in Macau. MGM Grand Paradise, SA owns and operates MGM MACAU, the award-winning premium integrated resort located on the Macau Peninsula and MGM COTAI, a contemporary luxury integrated resort in Cotai.
MGM MACAU is a Forbes Five-Star luxury integrated resort inspired by the arts with every element of the resort infused with creativity and style. MGM MACAU has approximately 600 guest rooms and suites and boasts a number of distinguishing features, including the architecturally stunning European-inspired Grande Praça, housed under a soaring glass ceiling. The POLY MGM MUSEUM spanning almost 2,000 square meters, is constructed in accordance with Chinese national standards for the exhibition of Grade-One cultural relics. MGM MACAU’s world class facilities also include conference and event facilities, spa, and seven signature restaurants and bars to fulfill any gastronomic craving. Our property is conveniently located on the Macau Peninsula and is directly connected to the luxury retail shopping complex, One Central.
Designed as the “jewelry box” of Cotai, MGM COTAI offers approximately 1,400 hotel rooms and suites, meeting space, high end spa, retail offerings, food and beverage outlets as well as the first international Mansion at MGM for the ultimate luxury experience. MGM has joined hands with renowned Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou to set up the “Macau 2049” residency in MGM Theater. The Spectacle at MGM COTAI becomes the record holder of the largest free-span gridshell glazed roof (self-supporting) on January 19, 2019, making it the first architectural and structural GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for Macau, China. MGM COTAI is being developed to drive greater product diversification and bring more advanced and innovative forms of entertainment to Macau as it grows as a global tourist destination. MGM COTAI is the only mega complex and hotel in Macau to gain three-star certification in both Green Building Design and Operation Label, as well as the first hotel in the Greater Bay Area and second in Greater China to receive the certifications.
MGM China is majority owned by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, ARIA, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and Park MGM. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at www.mgmresorts.com.
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MGM
Tel: (853) 8806 3412
Email: jessiekuan@mgm.mo
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MGM
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