Marching band from Taiwan wins world title in Indonesia

Taipei, Aug. 11 (CNA) Taipei Municipal Chien Kuo High School's marching band (CKMB) won top honors Sunday at the World Association of Marching Show Bands (WAMSB) World Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Blending music with choreographed dance and flag work, the 65-member band impressed judges to take this year's championship.

The group included 51 boys and 14 girls from 20 schools, mostly high schools and universities in northern Taiwan, with one junior-high student from Taichung, according to its parents' support group.

This year's performance incorporated Latin, jazz, and tango elements to create a diverse and dynamic show, the group said.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) congratulated the students, saying their achievement reflects the younger generation's ability to succeed on the world stage.

The WAMSB championships, considered the highest-level global contest for marching bands, are hosted annually on a rotating basis by member organizations.

This year's three-day event, held Aug. 8-10 at the Jakarta International Velodrome, featured 36 teams from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, and Poland.