Current world champions in ballroom dancing. Where it all began

October 29, 2016 on a magnificent parquet Banquet hall The Kremlin Palace hosted the World Cup Latin American dances among WDC professionals. Last time Moscow met best dancers world five years ago. Then, in 2011, Riccardo Cocchi and Yulia Zagoruichenko (USA) rose to the highest level. They became world champions in 2016, for the seventh time! But, if the leader remained the same, then in other respects the past championship demonstrated a clear change of generations, and this is especially evidenced by the composition of the finalists.

The World Championship was attended by 50 couples from 20 countries, including Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and North America. The truly strongest dance duets to date have gathered, represented by champions and vice-champions of their countries, the best couples according to the results of the WDC world ranking, as well as free dancers who want to compete with the best duets in the world (open tournament).

Their skills were assessed by a panel of judges, which included world-famous experts from 11 countries, led by general secretary WDC by Hannes Emrich (Austria). According to the unanimous opinion of the participants of the World Championship - dancers and judges, as well as everyone who was guests of the championship that evening - it was distinguished by its impeccable organization, which has already become an integral feature of the tournaments held by the President of the RTS, Honored Artist of Russia Stanislav Popov.

The grand opening took place at the beginning of the evening department. But it was preceded by one preliminary round, which took place a little earlier. And, although there were only specialists in the hall, as it turned out, this also had certain advantages for the dancers. Championship silver medalists Stefano Di Filippo and Daria Chesnokova (USA) said that such a tour turned out to be an excellent rehearsal for what they wanted to show at the championship itself. And when the audience appeared at the evening section (and the hall was completely sold out!) the eyes of the audience literally lit up the dancers.

Unlike many other tournaments, where the strongest couples have some benefits, starting not from the first rounds, at the official World Championships, everyone dances from the first. And it was clear what concentration each appearance on the floor required from any dancer. And from the very beginning, Riccardo and Julia drew attention to themselves. Moreover, not only the dance, but also Yulia’s absolutely stunning costume. It would seem that it could be better! But here is the finale, and a completely different style, where the weightless fabric seemed to double the magical lightness of her dance. But the closest competitors, Stefano and Dasha, celebrated the final not only bright dance, but also a suit. Bright yellow dress Dashi attracted the eye like a magnet. Their dance received a well-deserved assessment - silver medals. Well, for the first time, Dorin Fricatanu and Marina Sergeeva from Moldova won bronze medals, unexpectedly ahead of the 2016 European champions Evgeniy Smagin and Polina Kazachenko (Russia), who had every chance to take the honorary title for the first time prize place World Championship.

Dance of Evgeniy and Polina, leaders of the Russian professional dance over the past three years, they have been distinguished by inspiration, elegance and depth, everything that the public has always appreciated about them. But after the final it turned out that this championship was the last for the favorites of the Russian public. Stanislav Popov read a letter from the dancers, where they announced the end of their dancing career. A complete surprise for everyone! And a reason for the inevitable sadness of their many fans in such cases. However, Evgeniy and Polina managed to end their dancing career very beautifully and with dignity. Well, they have already proven that life goes on. The dancers of their club took all the leading positions at the last Russian Amateur Championship. They are also the organizers of the popular Crystal Ball tournament in St. Petersburg, and Evgenia Smagin was recently elected head of the branch of the Russian Dance Union in the Northwestern Federal District. A new, undoubtedly successful page of their lives begins.

The 2016 World Championship will certainly go down in history, thanks to one more fact – three at once Russian duet made it to the finals! For the first time in the history of world dance. The explanation is simple - the young talents of RTS, who recently performed brilliantly at amateur WDC tournaments and won all possible official and unofficial titles, now represent our country on the professional floor. In fifth place at the World Championship are Blackpool and International 2016 finalists Nikita Brovko and Olga Urumova. In sixth place are Blackpool and International 2016 semi-finalists Kirill Belorukov and Polina Teleshova.

The real highlight of the World Championship and its final note was the dance of the winners Riccardo and Julia. This was their favorite life-affirming samba!

Strong and promising couples remained in the semi-finals. Italian champions Emanuele Soldi and Elisa Nasato, who took seventh place, were just a little short of reaching the final. In eighth place is a new couple, who danced only the second tournament after the International, Pavel Zvychany and Oksana Lebedev from Germany. In ninth place are the Italians again, the rapidly progressing Massimo Arcolin and Laura Zmazhkovikova. By the way, the partners in the last two couples took part in the 2011 World Championships in the Kremlin, but in a different composition. And today they give an example of how fresh and successful a new partnership can be. Tenth and eleventh places were shared by Manuel Favilla and Natalya Maydyuk representing the United States and also Russian dancers who debuted at the championship, bronze medalists of the Russian Championship Roman Kovgan and Daria Paley. The semi-finals were completed by dancers from Italy Stefano Moriondo and Daria Glukhova.

So, Russia represented four dance duets in the semi-finals! And also - three duets from the USA and Italy, and one each from Moldova and Germany.

As part of the World Championship, a tournament according to the European program, the Supadance Cup, was held. Seven Russian dance duets took part in it. The winners were the finalists of the European Championship 2016, bronze medalists of the Russian Championship Stanislav Zelyanin and Irina Cherepanova. Exactly one year later, they and other participants of the Supadance Cup will have to perform at the World Championships according to the European program, which will be held in the Kremlin Palace.

As always, the show numbers served as a beautiful addition to the main action. The first to perform the lyrical number were one of the best couples in the world in Pro-Am, Luca Tonello (Italy) and Vera Fartushnyak (Russia). The performance, inspired by the dramatic circumstances of the past Olympic season for Russian athletes, was performed by professionals, the winner of the last season of the “Dancing with the Stars” program on the Russia-1 channel, Denis Tagintsev and Elizaveta Cherevichnaya. The talented 13-year-old singer Angelique Elange performed an aria from the musical “The Phantom of the Opera.” She “gave” the guests of the championship a whole dance department, performing five more pieces. Well, we ended this eventful dance with an incredibly impressive performance before the finalists were awarded the Argentine tango. dance night, Russian professionals, finalists of the World Championship Argentine tango in Buenos Aires Kirill Parshakov and Anna Gudyno.

Among the guests of the World Championship were numerous guests, representatives government agencies and business circles, culture and sports. Ninefold Olympic champion By artistic gymnastics Larisa Latynina and her friend from the “golden” Olympic team in Melbourne 1956 Lidiya Gavrilova, European champion, figure skater, Yuri Ovchinnikov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Australia to the Russian Federation Peter Tesht. Traditionally, a tournament of this rank brings together leading representatives of sports ballroom dancing. This time they were: nine-time world champion Brian Watson, multiple world champion Hans Halke, world champion, WDC vice-president Sergei Ryupin, world champion Elena Khvorova, multiple European champion Agnieszka Melnicka, world champion Olga Muller, multiple Russian champion Viktor Nikovsky.

Accompanying all the action, including the second part of dances for the public, was the group “7 Winds”. Her performance was distinguished not only by special inspiration, but also by the excellent vocals of her leader, Honored Artist of Russia Georgy Musheev. Music filled every minute of the dance action as couples left the floor to the continuing melody. And, according to one of the strongest dancers in the world, this created for the dancers an amazing feeling of constantly being in dance.

The information sponsor of the championship, the Internet portal Dancesport.ru, conducted an on-line broadcast, making this dance event close to thousands of fans of sports ballroom dancing. And at the very beginning of the evening, the RT channel, the international media partner of the World Cup, conducted a panoramic filming of the first dance of the championship, which was performed by all participants of the World Cup and which can be seen by downloading the RT360 application. The television version of the championship will be held on thematic channels NTV+ and Match TV.

The World Professional Latin American Dance Championship was held with the support of the general sponsor Gazprombank and with the support of the state corporation Rostec.

WDC 2017 World European Dance Championships among professionals: RESULTS

The World European Dance Championship among professionals was held on October 28, 2017 on one of the best dance floors in the world - the parquet floor of the Moscow Kremlin. This evening 51 dance duets from 22 countries demonstrated their unique skills. Two nominated couples from each country, including the champions of their countries, as well as the best dance duets according to the World Dance Council (WDC) ratings, performed on the floor.

RESULTS:

PROFESSIONALS, STANDARD

KREMLIN CUP, LATIN - AMATEUR

Europe turned out to be the most numerous in terms of representation – 18 countries. At the same time, the largest “team” of 5 couples, including bronze medalists of the championship, was represented by the birthplace of ballroom dancing - Great Britain. The usually large “team” of dancers from Italy this time included only two duets. The American continent was represented by the USA, with a “team” also of 5 duets, including world champions and vice-champions, and Canada, with one pair taking penultimate place. European program is very popular in Asia. The championship was attended by: Japan, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong and Singapore. The best couple from Asia, dancers from Japan, took 13th place. And two couples were from distant Australia, they remained 48th.

The atmosphere of the tournament was prepared by a full house! Two weeks before the championship, all tickets were sold out. Among the guests this time one could see fans from Austria, Japan, the USA, Serbia, the Netherlands, Italy, Great Britain, and Germany. They chanted the names of their favorites.

The champion title goes to Arunas Bižokas and Katyusha Demidova (USA). For the ninth time! According to the judges, their victory is unconditional; they won all five dances. And it seems that, with such a margin of safety, they are going to continue their dance career. This means they are going for a world record. This time Katyusha chose bright colors, starting the tournament in a fuchsia dress and finishing in the final black with white trim.

On second place Victor Fang and Anastasia Muravyova (USA). Just two weeks ago at the International in London they were third, behind Great Britain's Andrea and Sarah Ghigiarelli.

But now they have taken revenge, and bronze medals for Andrea and Sarah. By the way, their dispute continues, since at the World Championships Ghigiarelli won two dances - slow fox and quickstep.

On fourth place Valerio Colantoni and Monica Nigro (Italy), A Domain Krapets and Natasha Karabay, representing Germany, are in fifth place. These pairs often change places.

AND The final was completed by Russian dancers - the magnificent Alexander Zhiratkov and Irina Novozhilova.

Quite expectedly, there was a successful performance by the dancers from Poland. Both pairs representing the country were in the semi-finals. Moreover Sergu and Dorota Rusu in 7th place, right after the finale, and Lukasz and Alexandra Tomzhak shared 10-11th places with one of our couples.

Consistently level and performs beautifully couple from Azerbaijan, Eldar Jafarov and Anna Sazhina, who also shared 9-10 places with one of our pairs.

And the semi-finals were closed by representing USA Alexander Voskalchuk and Veronika Egorova.

Russia performed very successfully, fielding, as befits the host of the championship, the largest “team” - 11 pairs. Of these: one couple is finalists Alexander Zhiratkov and Irina Novozhilova, and two semi-finalist couples are Stanislav Zelyanin and Irina Cherepanova, who shared 8th-9th place, and Sergey Sutyrin and Natalya Sazhina, sharing 10-11th place.

Dancers in the quarterfinals: Nikolai Govorov and Evgenia Tolstaya, Alexander Ostrovsky and Maria Kerentseva, Alexander and Alisa Radyush, Ilya and Alena Asonov.

One step away from the quarter, having divided 26-27 places, there remained Maxim Kotlov and Tatyana Zaits And Anton Nedotsukov and Anna Rozhkova.

And I would like to say something special about one couple participating in the championship. This Roland Mader and Franziska Triebe-Mader representing Austria. She was given special prize, or rather Roland. The fact is that, at a team meeting held in 1980 between professional dancers USSR and Austria, he was part of the Austrian team. And Stanislav Popov - to the USSR team. Roland has been on the floor for almost 40 years! A phenomenal achievement!

The World European Dance Championships were accompanied by "Dance Land" orchestra under the direction of Honored Artist of Russia Semyon Milshtein. One of the judges of the championship, Michael Barr (Great Britain), a former five-time world champion, hearing it for the first time, highly appreciated the work of the orchestra, and in particular the “Russian repertoire”.

Within the framework of the World Championship there was Kremlin Cup in Latin American dances among amateurs. He assembled a strong cast of dancers - 28 couples from Russia, the USA, China, Ukraine, and Italy. Winners became dancers from the USA, finalists of Blackpool 2017, - Austin Joson and Nino Dzneladze.

Silver medals this year's Russian champions Vladimir Litvinov and Lyubina Kuznetsova, bronze– y silver medalists Ukrainian Championship – Alexander Kravchuk and Olesya Getsko.

Representatives from China also became finalists. The dancers' performances were accompanied by the "7 Winds" group, led by Honored Artist of Russia Georgy Musheev. The musicians also took part in dances for the public.

One of the most anticipated performances of the evening was the debut new couple- multiple world champion in Exhibition style Victor da Silva and world champion in Latin American dancing among amateurs and world champion in Latin American sequeway among professionals Anna Melnikova. The debut was in in every sense- first performance. Victor and Anna presented two performances to the audience, filled with genuine passion and dizzying choreography. I can’t help but remember how more than 10 years ago Victor also made his debut in the Kremlin in the Exhibition program, and also with one of the best Latin American dancers of that time, Hanna Kartunen. And now there is a new combination, and an absolutely sensational one. Victor and Anna's performance was accompanied by a children's group of dancers from Podolsk.

Once again on the floor there was one of the most interesting couples in the world in the category Pro-Am Vera Fartushnyak and Luca Tonello. They presented two numbers. The first, to music from the musical "The beauty and the Beast", was accompanied by the vocal accompaniment of a young singer Angelique Elange. And the name of the second one is Lady Perfection, can be safely attributed to Vera herself.

Angelica spoke again. Together with the championship host Stanislav Popov, they formed a duet and performed for the guests during the break Strangers in the Night.

The “Demons”, now two-time world champions in Latin American sekway, performed a demonstration performance. Arsen Aghamalyan and Oksana Vasilyeva. The choice of number is not random. He is perhaps the brightest of those who were recently presented by Arsen and Oksana in a performance dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Yu. Lyubimov.

Accompanied by the Dance Land orchestra, she performed in the Kremlin for the second time famous singer, laureate international competitions, professor at the Institute contemporary art, performer in the style of fado, tango, morno and bolero Marina Polteva(stage name Paloma - Dove). Her performance gave the dances for the public a special sophistication and charm.

Regular partner of Kremlin tournaments Fashion house Helena Elange, designer and head of the house Elena Elange, prepared gifts for the tournament winners and floral decorations for the parquet. These bright ones autumn compositions guests could take them with them at the end of the championship.

The permanent organizer and presenter of the championship was the President of the RTS, Honorary Vice-President of the WDC, Honored Artist of Russia Stanislav Popov. 2017 is an anniversary year for the organizer. That evening there was an announcement prepared by the tournament's information partner, Dance.ru, film “Dance and be happy!”, dedicated to Stanislav Popov. His premiere show will take place on December 17 at the anniversary evening of Stanislav Popov in the Congress Hall of the World Trade Center.

The World Championship was attended by representatives of diplomatic, political and business circles, cultural and sports figures from Russia.

Representatives of numerous media outlets worked at the site, including from Poland, France, Japan, and news channels Match TV, MIR and RT, who immediately broadcast hot news.

An audience of thousands of dance sports fans had the opportunity to watch the beautiful and intense struggle in on-line broadcast of the 2017 World Cup held by information sponsor Dancesport.ru.

For those who were unable to attend the World Cup, there is an opportunity to see TV version on Match TV, thematic channels NTV + (Arena, Sports, Planet). Follow the sports program!

The World European Dance Championships held in 2017 opened the first page in the series of official WDC championships held under this program in Russia. On April 14 and October 29, 2018, the Kremlin Palace will again host the European Championships, and then the World Professional European Dance Championships.

RADIO ECHO OF MOSCOW

DANCESPORT.RU

DANCE.RU

MORNING.RU

DAYS.RU

MTRK WORLD

8 CHANNEL

BOSS MAGAZINE

PLASMA TECHNOLOGY

MARRIOTT MOSCOW ROYAL AURORA

Jumeirah Al Naseem

FASHION HOUSE HELENA ELANGE

FASHION HOUSE HELENA ELANGE: FLOWERS AND HALL DECORATION WITH LIVE FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS

AMANI PRODUCTS FOR LIFE!

IL PATIO!

SHIKARI - PAN-ASIAN CUISINE

ITALIAN RADIO

MAGAZINE "ITALY"

"LIVING ITALY" MAGAZINE

LES TROIS SANTE

The Russian Dance Union and Stanislav Popov thank all the PHOTOGRAPHERS working at the Championship for their excellent work and photographs about the 2017 World Championship: Elena Anashina, Irina Nevolina, Alexey Ismagilov, Oleg and Yuri Konyzhev, Svetozar Andreev, Ivan Ivanovich!

In Moscow on October 29, 2016, on the parquet of the State Kremlin Palace The World Latin Dance Championship (WDC) was held. Title best couple the planets were again conquered by Ricardo Cocchi and Yulia Zagoruichenko. They have held the world title since 2010 .

The first World Latin Championships were held in the birthplace of ballroom dancing in London in 1959, and British couple Leonard Patrick and Doreen Key were crowned the first world champions.

In 1960, Roger and Michel Early from France won the title of champions. In 1961, the legendary British couple Bill and Bobby Irwin rose to the highest level. And then for three years in a row, from 1962 to 1964, Walter Layard and Lorraine (Great Britain) became champions. The couple is unique because Laaird is the author of a textbook on Latin American dances. The tome was published in 1961, and since then it has been perceived by dancers all over the world as a kind of dance “bible”.

In 1965, the title of champions was won by a couple from Switzerland, Walter and Marion Kaiser. They are Blackpool's first Latin American dance champions! In 1966, Bill and Bobby Irwin from Great Britain regained the title of champions. In 1967, they lost their title to Rudolf and Mechthild Trautz from Germany, finishing second. And in 1968, these two couples switched places again. First place - Bill and Bobby, second - Rudolf and Mechthild.

And in 1969, Rudolf and Mechthild again won the title of champions and repeated their success in 1970 and 1971. In 1972, a couple from Germany, Wolfgang and Eveline Olitz, became champions. And then for three years, from 1973 to 1975, the “dominance” of a couple from Austria was established - Hans-Peter and Itzgeborg Fischer. In 1976, the title was won by Peter Maxwell and Leah Harman from Great Britain.

Then came the era of outstanding dancers Alan and Hazel Fletcher from Great Britain, who became champions 5 times - from 1977 to 1981.

Zelen and Kirsten Salberg from Norway became champions twice in 1982 and 1983.

In 1984, the legendary Donnie Burns and Taynor Fairweather from Scotland became champions for the first time. And then they climbed to the highest step of the podium 13 times in a row, until 1996.

In 1997, Hans Halke and Bianca Schreiber from Germany won the title of champions.

But already in 1998, Donnie Burns and Taylor Fairweather announced their return and became world champions for the 14th time.

After this, the era of the outstanding Brian Watson and Carmen from Germany began. They won their first title in 1999 in Tokyo, and their last, ninth, in 2007 in Moscow. Then it was the first world championship among professionals, which was held in Russia.

In 2008, Mikhail Malitowski and Joana Lenis from Poland became the new world champions. They repeated their success in 2009. But in 2010, in a head-to-head fight, they were replaced by Riccardo Cocchi and Yulia Zagoruichenko from the USA. Since then they have held their title. In 2011 in Moscow they became two-time world champions. And today they are already in the status of six-time champions.

The Moscow pedestal awaits its champions! Russian dancers joined the world dance community much later than many countries. Only in the mid-1990s did they begin to regularly perform at official WDC tournaments. The first couple to reach the final of the World Championship were our multiple Russian champions Dmitry Timokhin and Anna Bezikova. They were the first to become vice-world champions in 2003! Subsequently, Sergei Ryupin and Elena Khvorova danced in the finals, Slava Kriklivy and Elena Khvorova became vice-champions in 2007, and later Sergei Surkov and Melya reached the finals.

IN Lately The current Russian champions Evgeniy Smagin and Polina Kazachenko became repeated finalists.