Kota kinabalu: Determined to elevate Sabah's traditional dance and cultural heritage, Dyeneley Daud from Nabawan emerged as champion of the state-level Randawi Tavantang Kaamatan (RTK) 2026 held at Hongkod Koisaan, Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA), yesterday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dyeneley, 19, outperformed 49 contestants from districts across Sabah to take home prizes, including cash and gifts, worth RM114,958. The first runner-up and second runner-up titles went to Bryan Niccolson Jacob representing Keningau and Daniel Chrionie Taning from Tamparuli, respectively.

Currently pursuing studies in Primary Music Education at the Institute of Teacher Education, Dyeneley said the victory was made possible through the moral support and encouragement he received from his family throughout the competition. 'The RTK competition is a platform for me to elevate Sabah's culture and make it better known beyond the state. I have always believed that the Randawi Tavantang Kaamatan platform carries strong influence. I am using this opportunity to realise my dream as a dancer, which is to further uphold and strengthen traditional dance in Sabah,' he said when met after the competition.

He also expressed appreciation to the Nabawan KDCA committee for assisting him in the early preparations for the competition, while he personally handled his costumes and makeup before the event. 'The main challenge was balancing my studies and the competition, to the extent that I had to sit for examinations earlier in order to participate,' he said.

Dyeneley hopes youths taking part in next year's RTK competition will set clear goals and visions while understanding the responsibility they carry as icons of culture and heritage. Randawi Tavantang Kaamatan is a cultural competition for Sabah youths aimed at promoting the uniqueness of the culture, customs and traditional attire of the Kadazandusun Murut Rungus community, and remains one of the annual highlights of the Kaamatan celebration.