AdminAn 11-year-old dancer from Klang has brought pride to Malaysia after clinching top honours at The Dance of Asia 2026, an international competition held in Chengdu, China. Yoshnaa Logenthiran, a pupil of SJKT Ladang Highlands, secured the Gold Award in the Under-13 category and also received a Silver Award for her overall performance at the three-day event.
The competition marked Yoshnaa’s debut on an international stage, where she competed against talented performers from across the Asia-Pacific region. Despite the high level of competition and pressure, she delivered a confident and graceful performance that distinguished her among her peers.
Her mother, entrepreneur B. Mohanaeswary, described the win as a significant milestone, especially as it was Yoshnaa’s first exposure beyond local competitions. She highlighted the years of dedication that led to this achievement.
“Yoshnaa has been dancing since she was five, dedicating countless hours to perfecting her technique and routines, and this achievement is truly the reward for all her hard work and perseverance,” she told Bernama.
Mohanaeswary added that witnessing her daughter compete internationally was both emotional and inspiring, particularly as Yoshnaa adapted quickly to a new and challenging environment.
“Until now, Yoshnaa had only competed at the local level, so this was a completely new experience for her. It was both challenging and exciting, and we are extremely proud of how she performed,” she said.
The duo returned to Malaysia following the competition, arriving home to a warm reception after Yoshnaa’s remarkable achievement abroad.
Proud father watches from afar as daughter triumphs
Meanwhile, Yoshnaa’s father, S. Logenthiran, an Assistant Superintendent of Police at Melaka IPK, shared his pride despite being unable to attend the event due to work commitments.
“I felt so emotional watching all her hard work come together in that one beautiful moment. It was truly one of the proudest moments of my life,” he said.
He followed the competition closely through updates and videos shared by his family, describing the experience as deeply moving even from a distance.
“Even from afar, I felt every emotion as if I were there with them. Seeing her perform so confidently and gracefully on an international stage was overwhelming. I am immensely proud of her dedication, talent and the way she represented our family and country,” he added.
The Dance of Asia is regarded as a prominent international platform celebrating diverse dance forms, ranging from ballet and hip hop to K-pop and Latin dance. Yoshnaa’s success not only marks a personal breakthrough but also underscores the growing presence of young Malaysian talents on the global performing arts stage.
Her achievement is expected to inspire more aspiring dancers across the country to pursue excellence and embrace opportunities beyond national borders.
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