A Final Day to Remember Forever
The final day of the 2025 WDSF DanceSport Festival in Blackpool wrapped up an unforgettable weekend with all the emotion, artistry, and brilliance one could dream of. This event, held in the legendary Empress Ballroom, will be forever etched in the hearts of the athletes, spectators, and everyone who took part. It was the kind of day that reminds us why we dance.
Throughout the day, the air was charged with excitement, joy, and even tears. Athletes danced not only for medals but for the love of the art. There were sparkles in their eyes, smiles that said it all, and heartfelt embraces between rivals turned friends. The audience once again filled the Empress Ballroom to the brim, giving back their energy, applause, and admiration to every single performance.
And then came the moment no one will ever forget: a live proposal during the first round of the GrandSlam Latin. As music faded for just a second and gasps filled the room, one dancer got down on one knee, turning a competition into a love story—bringing the crowd to its feet in cheers and happy tears. It was the perfect metaphor for what this weekend has meant: DanceSport at its most human, most beautiful, most real.
For those who want to relive this magical moment, we were lucky enough to capture it on video. Already shared across our social platforms, the clip has quickly gone viral, surpassing one million views across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
Every element was there for a day that will be remembered forever.
WDSF Open Competitions – Day 3 Highlights
Even on the final day of this magical festival, the WDSF Open categories delivered beauty, energy, and excellence to the iconic floor of the Empress Ballroom. Each final was a celebration of passion and perseverance, showcasing the incredible talent of our Senior dancers who continue to inspire with every step.
Senior III Standard
The atmosphere was full of emotion in the Senior III Standard final, where Italy dominated the podium. Fiorenzo Fortin and Marianna Voltan rose to the top with grace and control, securing a gold that clearly meant a lot to them. Fellow Italians Stefano Maraboli and Laura Donati followed closely behind with elegance and consistency, while Antimo Perretta and Teresa Lanna completed the all-Italian podium with a performance full of character.
- Fiorenzo Fortin / Marianna Voltan (ITA)
- Stefano Maraboli / Laura Donati (ITA)
- Antimo Perretta / Teresa Lanna (ITA)
Senior I Latin
The Senior I Latin final brought vibrant energy and fierce performances to the floor. Carlos Didier Ortiz Garcia and Christina Ortiz Garcia (GER) danced with precision and chemistry to take the top spot, while Dominik Haering and Isabella Roegner (GER) followed in second with striking flair. Spain’s Nauzet Diaz and Marta Senabre brought heart and rhythm to the ballroom, earning a well-deserved third place.
- Carlos Didier Ortiz Garcia / Christina Ortiz Garcia (GER)
- Dominik Haering / Isabella Roegner (GER)
- Nauzet Diaz / Marta Senabre (ESP)
Senior II Latin
The Senior II Latin final saw Spain shine in style, with a brilliant one-two finish. Carlos Cirera and Eva Nieto claimed gold with a commanding presence and refined performance, followed by Ruben Viciana Lopez and Eva Moya, who danced with warmth and power to secure silver. Germany’s Alexander Engel and Marina Engel brought strong technique and consistency to complete the top three.
- Carlos Cirera / Eva Nieto (ESP)
- Ruben Viciana Lopez / Eva Moya (ESP)
- Alexander Engel / Marina Engel (GER)
You can access the complete results of all WDSF Open competitions by clicking here.
Rising Stars World Challenge Cup Standard – A Night of Emerging Excellence
Among the highlights of the final day was the Rising Stars World Challenge Cup Standard, where some of DanceSport’s most promising young couples took to the floor of the Empress Ballroom to showcase their skill, elegance, and rising potential. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, and the performances lived up to every expectation.
Standing tall at the top of the podium were Maxim Zhilenkov and Alua Kargabaeva (KAZ), whose graceful movement and musical sensitivity earned them the gold. Their performance combined lightness, structure, and expressive timing—earning well-deserved praise from judges and audience alike.
Edvardas Masaro and Anastasija Pavsukova (LTU) followed closely with a powerful and precise performance that secured the silver medal, while Poland’s Mateusz Stawowy and Sara Silva completed the podium with poise and confidence, confirming their place among the top upcoming couples in the field.
Final Results:
- Maxim Zhilenkov / Alua Kargabaeva (KAZ)
- Edvardas Masaro / Anastasija Pavsukova (LTU)
- Mateusz Stawowy / Sara Silva (POL)
- Chi Yang / Tang Ruyi (CHN)
- Samuele Pugliese / Federica Stavale (ITA)
- Marc Mateos / Marija Golubeva (ESP)
Full Rising Stars World Challenge Cup Standard results available here.
PD Standard Super Grand Prix – A Triumphant New Chapter
That journey reached a new high for Edgaras Baltaragis and Indre Baltarage (LTU), who captured a deeply meaningful victory on the floor of the Empress Ballroom. After finishing second and third in two Super Grand Prix events in 2024, and closing the year with a silver medal at the European Championship PD Standard, starting 2025 with a gold—and in such a symbolic venue—was, in their own words, “difficult to put into words.”
Their performance was marked by powerful movement, refined technique, and a visible connection that spoke of years of hard work. With this win, they now look ahead with confidence and determination to their next challenge: the WDSF World Championship PD Standard, set to take place next month in Tokyo.
Final Results:
- Edgaras Baltaragis / Indre Baltarage (LTU)
- Dusan Grula / Giada Cragnolini (SVK)
- Jiang Jiying / Zhao Yuye (CHN)
- Alessandro Ilarioni / Aurora Sbardella (ITA)
- Alessio Disca / Luisa Celeste Cardillo (ITA)
- Nikita Anikeev / Elina Kokotova (AIN)
You can find an exclusive interview with Edgaras and Indre now on our social media platforms.
GrandSlam Latin – An Unforgettable Finale in the Cradle of DanceSport
The GrandSlam Latin was the perfect finale to what has been a weekend full of history, beauty, and raw emotion. From the very first round to the last step of the final, the Empress Ballroom was treated to a spectacle of athleticism, artistry, and heart that left the audience absolutely breathless.
There’s no doubt about the incredible talent, professionalism, and strength of all six finalist couples. But on this occasion, there was something more—a deeper layer of meaning. For every athlete on that floor, competing in Blackpool—the symbolic home of DanceSport—was a dream materialised. That emotional connection elevated the performances to something truly extraordinary.
The final was charged with unforgettable moments, but one of the most impactful came during the Kiss & Cry area after a stunning Solo Dance from Malthe Brinch Rohde and Sandra Sorensen (DEN). When the provisional rankings flashed their names in second place—ahead of their main rivals, Guillem Pascual and Diandra-Aniela Illes (ESP)—the couple embraced in a deeply moving gesture that brought the entire audience to its feet. The crowd had shown them affection throughout the day, but that moment was something else: joy, surprise, and gratitude, all in one.
Even after the third dance, the Paso Doble, Malthe and Sandra held onto second position, tantalisingly close to the silver. But then came Guillem and Diandra’s Rumba—a performance so intense, passionate, and masterfully controlled that it shifted the rankings once again. With the Jive, they sealed the deal and reclaimed their second place on the podium with the kind of strength and brilliance that defines champions.
As for the winners, Charles-Guillaume Schmitt and Elena Salikhova (FRA), words simply fall short. Their dancing was on another level. In none of their five dances did they receive a score below 9.5000, with multiple perfect 10.0000s awarded by the judges. The reigning GrandSlam Final champions (December 2024) were pure fire, elegance, and precision—a gift to everyone lucky enough to be present in the Empress Ballroom. If you love Latin dancing, you must watch this final.
Final Results:
- Charles-Guillaume Schmitt / Elena Salikhova (FRA)
- Guillem Pascual / Diandra-Aniela Illes (ESP)
- Malthe Brinch Rohde / Sandra Sorensen (DEN)
- Yan Bangbang / Du Yujun (CHN)
- Konstantin Gorodilov / Polina Figurenko (EST)
- Miculescu Ionut Alexandru / Pacurar Andra (ROU)
Watch an exclusive interview with the champions and finalists on our social media platforms. And don’t miss the full GrandSlam Latin final replay—available now on Olympic Channel!
A Celebration of Excellence – With Gratitude
As the curtains closed on the 2025 WDSF DanceSport Festival, one thing was clear: something truly historic had just taken place. The passion of the athletes, the commitment of the organisers, and the electrifying support of the audience combined to create a weekend that will be remembered for years to come.
We extend our deepest thanks to our main sponsors: BD Dance, Atos, and Casa Musica, whose support is invaluable to our sport. We are equally grateful to our event partners: the British DanceSport Federation (BrDSF), Olympic Channel, and Dance TV, for helping to bring DanceSport to global audiences. And to the many brands and contributors in the Arena Room, who added life, colour, and engagement to this iconic venue—thank you.
You can find the full list of exhibitors and partners here.
We are also proud to officially announce that the WDSF DanceSport Festival will return to Blackpool next year, with the second edition confirmed for 26–29 March 2026. This landmark event is here to stay, and we already look ahead with excitement to what promises to be an even more spectacular edition.
Watch It All Again – Live and On-Demand
Rewatch all the Day 3 action now on the WDSF YouTube channel:
And don’t forget—you can still catch the full GrandSlam Latin final exclusively on Olympic Channel.
A Message from the President
WDSF President Shawn Tay shared a heartfelt message during the final ceremony:
“This weekend has reminded us all of the power of DanceSport—not only as a sport, but as an expression of human spirit. The energy, the emotion, the respect, the love… all of it came alive here in Blackpool.
In a deeply moving moment, WDSF Staff and Volunteers were called to the stage, where they received a standing ovation from the entire audience—a powerful and emotional gesture in recognition of their exceptional work throughout the weekend. President Tay also expressed his sincere appreciation to WDSF Vice-President for Sport, Mr. Nenad Jeftic, and to WDSF General Secretary, Mr. Sergey Nifontov, for their immense efforts in the planning and delivery of the 2025 WDSF DanceSport Festival. He also thanked the MCs, Ms. Isabelle Tay and Mr. Marius Lepure, for their outstanding contributions on stage.
Another special moment came when a group of distinguished retired athletes—personalities who left a lasting legacy through their careers in DanceSport—were invited to the floor by Mr. Jeftic. There, they received a commemorative WDSF pin from President Tay, honouring their contributions and celebrating their connection to what is widely considered the spiritual home of DanceSport.
“And now, with the official announcement that we will return next year from 26 to 29 March 2026, we look to the future with excitement. The next edition of the WDSF DanceSport Festival in Blackpool promises to be even more spectacular—and we can’t wait to welcome you all back.”
Stay Connected
Follow WDSF on all platforms for behind-the-scenes content, highlights, interviews and the latest from Blackpool:
Instagram: WDSF DanceSport
YouTube: DanceSportTotal
Facebook: WDSF DanceSport
TikTok: WDSF DanceSport
Let’s keep celebrating the passion, talent, and artistry of DanceSport — together, from Blackpool to the world. Photos by Sanshi Studio.
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