KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 — What began as a simple interest in watching K-pop dance videos on a mobile phone has now led a young girl to achieve success on the international stage.
Yoshnaa Logenthiran, 11, made her mark by winning a gold medal in the under-13 category as well as a silver medal overall at the prestigious 'The Dance of Asia 2026' competition in Chengdu, China.
The SJK(T) Ladang Highlands pupil described the achievement as a huge surprise.
“I feel very happy and did not expect to win. I almost cried when my name was announced,” she told Media Selangor.
Yoshnaa’s interest in dance began at the age of five, when she frequently watched K-pop videos before memorising and recreating the moves at home.
Her talent soon became evident and was further refined through continuous training.
“Many of the dance steps are quite similar, but they must be remembered well. I practise a lot to ensure every movement is precise,” Yoshnaa said, adding that she draws inspiration from Chiquita of the group BABYMONSTER.
Despite facing stiff competition from more experienced participants, she did not allow it to discourage her.
“I thought I would not win because the other participants were very good. But I just tried my best,” Yoshnaa said.
Balancing academics and passion
Despite her success, she continues to prioritise her education, believing that balance between studies and passion is essential.
“If my studies are not good, I may stop dancing,” Yoshnaa said.
Meanwhile, her acrobatic arts coach Yee Woan Tyng described Yoshnaa as highly disciplined and consistent throughout training.
Her student's development is evident not only in technique but also in mental strength and stamina.
“The pressure was quite high as she had to adapt to a new environment, but Yoshnaa remained focused. I always give her trust and confidence so she can continue to progress,” Yee said.
She added that Yoshnaa’s unique performance, combining elements of traditional Chinese dance and K-pop, was a key advantage in the competition.
The combination not only attracted the judges’ attention but also met the scoring criteria for timing, expression, and precision of movement.
Family support as her strength
For her mother Mohanaeswary Balachandar, the victory was a deeply emotional moment.
“I was very moved, as if all our efforts had paid off,” she said.
Mohanaeswary admitted that she was initially surprised by her daughter’s interest in K-pop, which differs from their own cultural background. However, after seeing Yoshnaa’s determination, she decided to give her full support.
“I do not see it as a sacrifice, but as a responsibility as a mother. What matters is ensuring balance between studies and her interests,” she explained.
As part of building her confidence, Yoshnaa has also been involved in various charity performances to help reduce her stage fright.
Concluding the conversation, she advised her peers not to give up easily.
“Keep trying, because one day, hard work will surely pay off,” Yoshnaa said confidently.
