Three times World and European Champions, and the next generation in the loop

44 couples representing 25 European countries landed in Vilnius (LTU) for the first days of December to participate the 2023 WDSF European Standard Championship and to continue the fascinating DanceSport competition season of 2023.

The couples had an epic battle for the positions on the next round, for the final and while in the final, for the positions on the podium, making each round more incredible and colourful than the previous one. The crowd cheered and supported their favourites in full to push them to show their best, and the atmosphere at the venue was frantic!

Homeground and the full spectator stands combined with their flawless performance helped Evaldas Sodeika and Ieva Zukauskaite reach their third European Standard title. The three-times World Champions, famous for their skill of winning the hearts of the spectators did it again: they charmed everyone at the venue and to the great joy for the Lithuanian fans, and for themselves, lifted up the trophy of the European title for the third time in their career.

Tomas Fainsil – Violetta Fainsil (GER) performed beautifully, which earned them the silver medals, while Rares Cojoc – Andreea Matei (ROU) completed the podium with their solid third place. Close by, but outside the podium were Dariusz Mycka – Madara Freiberga (POL) on their fourth place, Vadim Shurin – Anastasia Meshkova (LAT) on their fifth place and Dmitri Kolobov – Signe Busk (DEN) on the sixth place.

After the final, another era in DanceSport came to an end as Evaldas and Ieva said their touching goodbyes to the amateur competition floors.

At the same time in Astana (KAZ), the 2023 WDSF World Championship Youth Ten Dance saw a new generation rising, as Neidas Lenkaitis - Tamara Belenkaya (KAZ) demonstrated stamina, skill and performance which earned them the World Championship title. It was the first time for the WDSF World Championship to be held in Kazakhstan, and Neidas and Tamara were the second ones in Kazakh DanceSport history to win the World title for the country. And, they won it by winning all ten dances of the final!

Adria Hernandez - Emilija Ulcinaite (ESP) won the silver medals with only two sum points ahead of Vladimir Cebanu - Sofia Chiorescu (MDA), who secured the World Championship Bronze medals. Andrii Nikitonok - Milana Boichuk (UKR), Mateusz Stawowy - Sara Silva (POL) and Joao Sant'Anna - Luna Pinto (POR) completed the exciting and dynamic final and ranked from 4th to 6th in respective order. 27 couples representing just as many countries from around the world started the Championship held in conjunction of the Asian Grand Prix at the beautiful Grand Hall of Presidential Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Published on 5 December 2023