Suncity-Legend vs SJM Golden Jubilee

The open categories of this year's Macao International Dragon Boat Races were high-profile as usual as the dragon boat teams of two gambling giants – Suncity-Legend and SJM Golden Jubilee, went against each other at the small dragon boat race and the standard boat race. The fierce competition ended with Suncity-Legend beating Golden Jubilee-A and Golden Jubilee-B at the small dragon boat 200-metre and ascending the podium for the first time since the team came into being three years ago. SJM Golden Jubilee then proved that they weren’t the type that accepted defeat easily and got even with their rival on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival by pulling off a win at the Standard Boat 500-metre race.    

In a face-off against the Golden Jubilee-A and the Golden Jubilee-B in the 200-meter small dragon boat final, Suncity-Legend outran its rivals with its resolute and stamina. “We aimed for the top three before the contest. By getting the gold medal, we have outdone our target. In the face of all these good contenders, all we thought was to give it our best. That shared desire for victory throughout the team was the reason for this achievement,” said Lee Yong Shen, the coach and captain of the team, in excitement. “We are all thrilled about this first champion title since the team formed three years ago and are grateful for the support from our team members and the company.”

SJM Golden Jubilee, who were determined to“avenge”their defeat at the small boat race, made it to the standard boat 500-metre grand final and faced off once again with Suncity-Legend upfront. Eventually, Golden Jubilee outran all its rivals in the open category and defended the title for the second time in three years. Mak Chi Keong, the team’s drummer said in all humility, “Every year we face the competition fiercely. What really matters is composure. As long as we give it all that we have, there’s a chance to win. We do whatever we can to turn pressure into motivation. Because of Covid-19, our training didn't resume until one month before the contest, and then there was change to the line-up, so our team was not 100%. However, our performance was acceptable, as we got a gold, a silver and a bronze at the small boat and the standard boat.”