Spectacular DanceSport in Leipzig: 2024 WDSF World Championship Standard and PD European Championship Latin
The 2024 WDSF World Championship Standard and PD European Championship Latin competitions brought many of the world’s best DanceSport athletes to Leipzig, Germany, in an electrifying showcase of talent and elegance. Organized by Tanzsportzentrum Leipzig, the event kicked off in the early hours with 100 couples ready to compete in the two significant title events of the day. The World Championship Standard featured 80 couples vying for the prestigious title, while the PD European Championship Latin saw 20 talented pairs battling it out for the coveted continental crown.
By 12:30 pm, Halle 4 opened its doors to a packed audience ready to witness world-class performances. The morning session concluded with the 1/16 of finals for the World Championship Standard and the quarterfinals of the PD European Championship Latin, ensuring a day full of promise. As anticipation grew for the evening session, the audience looked forward to seeing the top competitors return to the floor to battle for prestigious titles, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening of DanceSport excellence.
Evening Finals: Unforgettable Performances
At 7 pm, the lights dimmed, and the arena, bathed in hues of pink and purple, was filled with a magical atmosphere. The final rounds saw the best couples rise to the occasion, with 24 couples competing in the World Championship Standard and 12 in the PD European Championship Latin. The spectators, fully engaged, showed their appreciation for the athletes' remarkable performances.
PD European Championship Latin Results:
In a much-anticipated final, Marts Smolko and Tina Bazykinatriumphed, solidifying their rise in the DanceSport PD world after finishing second at last year’s edition. This victory adds to their remarkable season, which saw them claim the WDSF Super Grand Prix title in Stuttgart this August, as well as a silver medal at the PD World Championship Standard in Budapest last March.
Marts Smolko - Tina Bazykina (LAT)
Sergiu Maruster - Anastasia Stan (MDA)
Nikita Bazev - Hanna Run Bazev (ISL)
Earle Williamson - Veronika Myshko (UKR)
Fabian Taeschner - Darja Titowa (GER)
Cristian Pontarelli - Anastasia Razheva (ITA)
World Championship Standard
The excitement soared during the final rounds as the competition approached its climax. Alexey Glukhov and Anastasia Glazunova demonstrated their dominance, consistently leading the scoreboard after each dance. However, the battle for second place remained shrouded in uncertainty due to the exceptional and closely matched performances of Rares Cojoc and Andreea Matei, and Tomas and Violetta Fainsil. By the end of the penultimate dance, the Slow Foxtrot, both pairs obtained an identical score of 37.75, igniting the crowd’s anticipation as it became clear that the Quickstep would decide the final outcome.
As the couples took to the floor, they delivered an unforgettable performance to Phil Reilly’s “Umbrella”, drawing rhythmic applause from the audience. The energy built to a crescendo, turning into a standing ovation as the dancers executed their final steps, graciously acknowledging the warmth and support of the spectators.
As the Prize Ceremony commenced, the finalists were invited one by one to collect their awards. The atmosphere reached its peak when the speaker paused dramatically before announcing the third-place finisher, revealing that only 0.04 points separated the second and third spots. The crowd eagerly awaited the result, their anticipation palpable, until Tomas and Violetta Fainsil were named third, sparking jubilation from Rares and Andreea, whose silver medals would soon be headed to Romania.
Ultimately, Alexey Glukhov and Anastasia Glazunova were declared the winners of the World Championship Standard, adding yet another triumph to their already impressive accolades and confirming that 2024 is shaping up to be one of their best years, with victories in the European Championship and all four GrandSlams held to date.
Alexey Glukhov - Anastasia Glazunova (MDA)
Rares Cojoc - Andreea Matei (ROU)
Tomas Fainsil - Violetta Fainsil (GER)
Yuan Shaoyang - Qi Chongxuan (CHN)
Dariusz Mycka - Madara Freiberga (POL)
Dmitri Kolobov - Signe Busk (DEN)
"The 2024 WDSF World Championship Standard and PD European Championship Latin have truly showcased the extraordinary dedication and passion of our athletes. Leipzig has been a magnificent stage for DanceSport, and we are proud to witness such incredible performances that inspire the global DanceSport community."
Shawn Tay, WDSF President
Acknowledgments
A special thanks to Tanzsportzentrum Leipzig and Deutscher Tanzsportverband e.V. for their invaluable contributions to making this event a resounding success. We extend our gratitude to Casa musica for providing a fantastic tracklist that enriched the atmosphere, delighting the audience and dancers alike. This musical backdrop also captivated the tens of thousands who followed the event from home via MDR in Germany and our YouTube channel worldwide.
Relive the show
Missed the action? You can catch the highlights and a full replay of the event on our YouTube channel DanceSportTotal. Plus, don't miss out on exclusive interviews with the champions, where they share their insights and experiences from the competition. Tune in to hear firsthand what it takes to reach the pinnacle of DanceSport!
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