When Maqdalene “Maqda” Yacoba Kristanti took the ice at Skate Malaysia – an international figure skating competition that has been held in Kuala Lumpur for roughly a dozen years – she was carrying some curious props.

The girl, who was representing her training facility in Indonesia, glided out with a large piece of cardboard.

It turns out it was a canoe and a little paddle. This was going to be interesting.

Already looking non-traditional with her hair worn loose (how often do we see figure skaters perform with their long hair down?!), it’s clear that she was participating in one of the competition’s many “Spotlight Events.”

According to Skate Malaysia, spotlight events are described as follows:

“This is an entertaining & “fun” routine that emphasizes the skater’s acting ability and not technical skating skills. There is no score for technical merit in this event.”

There are three categories of Spotlight event and Kristanti’s performance would be a “Character Spotlight,” in which skaters dress as an easily identifiable character. She’s performing in the category open to girls aged 6-8.

As she sets up her props, it becomes clear that Kristanti is playing the character Moana, from the 2016 Disney film of the same name.

Her song is the Grammy award-winning “How Far I’ll Go,” a tune composed for the soundtrack by the famous Lin-Manuel Miranda, who created and starred in the musical “Hamilton.”

This version of the song is performed by Canadian vocalist Alessia Cara.

As she begins her routine, we’ree already impressed that she can spin and twirl with all that loose hair!

But it’s clear she’s got it under control.

With great grace, she pulls off some technical skills, all with her beautiful hair flying in the breeze Moana-style.

Then, after getting into her vessel, she manages to pick it up and hold it around her while she executes some jumps and spins.

According to Disney, the film Moana is “a film about an adventurous teenager who is inspired to leave the safety and security of her island on a daring journey to save her people.”

And it looks like Kristanti is setting out on her adventure!

As she finishes her routine, she flashes yet another big smile at the crowd.

She’s certainly winning personality points for this performance!

Kristanti was the final performer in the Character Spotlight that year and ended up taking home the gold medal – at least according to her YouTube video title.

And there was quite a crowd gathered to see it!

The video has now been viewed over half a million times in less than two years and no-doubt given many other young skaters and choreographers ideas about injecting some creativity into their routines (although only special competitions allow props).

Kristanti’s YouTube channel contains many more of her performances – both technical and creative.

Her last batch of videos was uploaded 3 months ago and shows both gold and silver-medal-winning performances in freestyle, technical, and even rhymic ribbon and ball skating!

With over 1000 people subscribed to her channel, it seems as though viewers know where to look to see some of the most innovative youth skating routines online right now.

Make sure you check her out!

Be sure to scroll down below to see the creative, medal-winning performance for yourself.

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Source: Skate Malaysia, Maqda Kristanti via YouTube, Disney Movies – Moana