Cambodia Wins the Guinness World Record for Madison Dance…Again
Guinness World Records representative Tomomi Sekioka, who attended the event, handed a letter of recognition to Hun Many, president of the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia that had organized the event. Photo: Ky Chamna
- By Phoung Vantha
- April 15, 2023 12:45 PM
PHNOM PENH — Cambodia maintained its Guinness World Record for the largest number of Madison dancers as a total of 4,999 people joined in on April 15 and dance at the Terrace of the Elephants in Angkor Archeological Park in Siem Reap province.
Guinness World Records representative Tomomi Sekioka, who attended the event, handed a letter of recognition to Hun Many, president of the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia that had organized the event.
The dance, which took place during the Angkor Sankranta 2023 festival held to mark Khmer New Year, was intended to break Cambodia’s own Guinness World Record set in 2015 when 2,015 dancers had taken part in the dance. In 2014, Australia had set a new record by having 1,155 dancers join in, winning over Cambodia that had set the record for the largest number of dancers in 2012 with 929 dancers.
Upon receiving the certificate on April 15, Hun Many confirmed that the dance had been held in accordance with the procedures set by Guinness World Records. Speaking of having opt for this dance again instead of attempting to break other dance records, he said, “[w]e can switch to the cha cha cha dance, but the experience of the program is not only fun, but inspiring and gives opportunities to Cambodian people who dare to put in their hearts and souls.”
In 2015, all those who had been involved in holding this dance had also worked hard to make it happen, Many said. Speaking of people who been involved in the dance that year, he said, "[o]ne point that we cannot forget is a sister who participated in breaking the Madison dance record and has passed away due to illness.” Before she died, she told her parents to attend the event this time, and had asked her mother to wear the clothes she had put on to go to the dance with her in 2015. "So, this is what I associate with this: memories, not just dancing," Many said.
Speaking after the event on April 15, Guinness World Record official adjudicator Tomomi Sekioka said that she was really impressed by the Madison performance of the 4,999 people, young and old, who joined together to make this happen. “Cambodia has a smaller population [than other countries], but you reach a great number of people,” she said.
Teng Yalirozy contributed to the story.
