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Malaysian dancers Zeppo Youngsterz emerge victorious at international competition
MALAYSIAN dance crew Zeppo Youngsterz emerged as champions at Haru 2026 in Seoul, South Korea on Oct 17, beating 16 competing groups from South Korea, China, Switzerland, Japan, Vietnam and Germany.
The 24-member crew spent three months preparing for the international competition, refining its choreography and coordinating rehearsals ahead of the event.
The winning performance was based on a concept developed by Zeppo director Faris Azim, with Spanish choreographer Larkin leading its creative development and choreography.
Preparations suffered a setback when dancer Danial Fuad sustained an injury that ruled him out of the competition.
Khai Zun was brought in as a replacement, leaving him just one week to learn the choreography before joining the team for another week of rehearsals in South Korea.
The crew also relied on online training sessions and practice videos to coordinate rehearsals and ensure the dancers were familiar with the routine.
Despite the disruption, Zeppo Youngsterz went on to secure the championship title against an international field.
Faris said the victory was particularly meaningful given the difficulties the team faced in the weeks leading up to the competition.
“Winning Haru 2026 means a lot to us, especially after everything the team went through during the preparation.
“We had to adapt to unexpected challenges and make difficult adjustments at the last minute, but everyone continued to give their best and trusted the process.
“I’m proud of the entire team for staying committed and working together until the end. This win is not just about the result, but about the journey, the sacrifices and the people who made it possible.
“We hope to continue bringing our work to international stages and make Malaysia proud.”
Following its victory in South Korea, Zeppo Youngsterz is now looking towards The Vibe, an international dance competition held in the US.
The crew hopes to bring its Haru-winning performance to the competition in 2027, although its participation has yet to be confirmed.
The Haru victory adds to Zeppo Youngsterz’s growing international experience as the Malaysian dance crew seeks further opportunities to compete overseas.
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