14 performers to represent Malaysia at 'talent Olympics'
BY ASHLEY TANG
PETALING JAYA: Fourteen local talents have been selected to represent Malaysia at the 21st World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in the United States.
The invitation-only event, dubbed the "Talent Olympics" is held annually in Long Beach, California, for aspiring performers and entertainers.
The Malaysian contingent includes two Sarawakians, namely Saufi Aiman Yahya (sape player) and Aloysius Susek (singer), as well as three Sabahans comprising Esther Applunius (singer), Dayang Izyan Zawanie (singer), and Nelson Thien (dancer).
Contestants are screened, selected and invited by WCOPA national directors from their respective countries.
Saufi (pic), who has been playing the sape for seven years, said that this was his second attempt after failing to qualify for the event in 2012.
"I practiced and improved my skills after my first failure and I am very excited to be representing Malaysia," he told The Star Online on Wednesday.
He said being selected to represent the country was an honour as the competition had very strict criteria.
"They (the judges) are not just looking at pure talent because everyone who joins the competition is talented, so you must have the X-factor – charisma, stage presence and entertainment value," he said.
The Malaysian team will be competing against 50 countries in front of 75 judges from the entertainment industry.
The WCOPA will take place on June 30 to July 9 in Long Beach, California.
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/06/28/14-performers-to-represent-malaysia-at-talent-olympics/#CBBKR0QV62wj1oh2.99
