WORLD TROPHY LATIN AMERICAN 2010 to Great Brittain
Date: Tue, Mar 9th, 2010 12:01:06 am
Author: Press Release
Neil Jones & Ekatarina Sokolova bring title back !
photos by Rob Ronda
Mathew Cutler & Nicole Westdyk were the last ones in 1998 who won the prestigious World Trophy Latin American for Great Britain, since than this title was won by USA/Belgium/Slovenia (3x), Hungary, Spain, and Italy (3x)
The World Trophy LatinAmerican was founded in 1982 by Bobby Short and David Simon and has since then attracted many thousands of dance enthusiast in the famous 5* deluxe Steigenberger Kurhaus Hotel in Scheveningen/The Hague on the Dutch seaside.
A real “who is who” in our dancing world have danced in this great competition. Nearly all former World Amateur Latin Champions have danced in the antique hall during a great festive dinner dance.
Bobby Short had a great feeling for the way competition dancing had to be organised and found in David Simon a partner who worked this out in the Netherlands
Not only Bobby’s idea of the already so famous Oldenzaal dance festival, but also the World Trophy Latin American in the Kurhaus Hotel was great thinking for the future of this legend in dancing.
Up till now David & Jacqueline Simon are mentioning Bobby’s name with great respect and full of good memories.
This year for the 29th. year a packed audience in the Kurzaal of this 5* deluxe hotel saw 10 couples from 8 countries dancing for glory and trying to win the beautiful Cristal Globe.
600 guests enjoyed a 6 course dinner, which was served during the evening.
It started at 18.00 hrs. with a Cocktail party for all the guests and than at 19.00hrs. the Gala dinner started, as well the competition with the presentation of the couples. 10 couples from 8 countries were present and were judged by 5 International judges; Evelyn Hormann (Germany), Geir Bakke (Norway), Felix Castillo (USA), Yoshitake Natsume and Cor van de Stroet (Holland)..................
Full report coming soon in Dance Beat World
Thriller In Manilla - Revisited!
Date: Sat, Feb 13th, 2010 3:28:01 pm
Author: Keith Todd
A truly world-class international event in the Philippines brings out many of the world's best from Europe, Asia and North America!
It was 1975 when Mohamed Ali fought Joe Frazier for the third time in Manila and the press dubbed it "Thriller from Manilla!" Well the 2010 Philippine Star Ball was a "thriller" revisited! 600 spectators enjoyed dinner and then some of the best amateur and professional dancing to be seen anywhere in the world tonight at the Shangri-la Hotel in Manilla.
The organizers, Michaela "Pinky" Puno & Jojo Carino have run this event three times and each year they invite many of the world's best amateur and professional dancers to contest their events in the superbly decorated ballroom complete with a full stage and marvelous sound system and lighting. The whole event is filmed for later broadcast on Philippine national TV.
This year the Pro Latin was perhaps the best event. The winners were Riccardo Cocchi & Yuliya Zaroguychenko (USA) followed by the dueling Russian dynamos, Sergey Surkov & Melia (2nd) and Slavik Kryklyvyy & Anna Melnikova (3rd). So were Slavik & Anna in better form than at the UK where they only placed 5th? You can get our opinion soon in Dance Beat World and Vladimir Kolobov will also give his opinions. The rest of the final was also very strong with Andrej Skufca & Melinda (Slovenia) taking 4th, Marcus Homme & Kssenia Kasper (Germany), 5th and Andre & Natalie Paromonov (Canada), 6th.
For us the easiest victory of the night went to Arunas Bizokas & Katusha Demidova (USA) in the Pro Standard. The World Champions cruised to an easy victory. Second were Italy's Domenico Soale & Gioia Cerasoli and 3rd were Domen Krapez & Monica Nigro (Slovenia). We thought Domen & Monica danced very well. David Roberts will have a full report in Dance Bewat World soon. Former world champion Alessia Betti with new partner, Angelo Mardonia (Italy) were fourth, Warren & Kristi Boyce (England) were 5th. Very happy to be in the final, Aleksander Zhiratkov & Irina Novozhilova (Hong Kong) were 6th. Check our report to see who else could have made this prestigious final.
Before the award ceremonies, each of the six finalists in both style were invited to perform a solo routine of their choice. These were not judged but as you can imagine from the list of participants, the shows were quite something and the crowd remained enthusiastic despite the late hour. Read our report to find out why so many of the men partners kissed organizer, Pinky, after their routines.
The amateur events also brought out high-profile competitors and world-class finalists. The Latin was won by Jurij Batagelj & Jagoda Strukelj (Slovenia) the highest ranked competitors in the event, but the second and third positions were upset. Placing second tonight were Dorin
Frecautanu & Reselina Doneva (Moldova) an third were Martino Zanibellato & Michelle Abildtrup (Denmark). At the UK recently, Dorin & Reselina were 6th while Martino & Michelle were 4th. So was it Dorin & Reselina's day or were Martino & Michelle not having a good night? We'll give our view in Dance Beat world soon and once again Vladimir Kolobov will give his views. 4th place were to last year's winners, Kiril Belorukov & Elvira Skrylnikova (Russia), 5th to the new partnership of Manuel Favila & Yuliya Nikitenko (Australia) and 6th to Zufar Zaripov & Anna Tchmodourava (Austria). Timo Kulczak & Motsegetsi Mabuse (Germany) withdrew as Timo was sick. In fact many of the competitors complained of sickness tonight and so both the amateur and pro finals were run alternating standard and Latin dances.
The Amateur Standard was won by Andrea Ghigiarelli & Sara Andracchio (Italy) with a strong performance. Also dancing strongly were Italian teammates, Federico DiToro & Genny Favero. Another Italian couple, Gaetano Lavarone & Emmanuela Napolitano were 3rd, Dushan Dragovic & Ekaterina Romanshina (Serbia) were 4th, Ronen Zhinstein & Mariam Izmaylova (USA) were 5th and the only Philippino couple to make a major final, Emmanuel Reyes & Maria Rosete were 6th.
Videos uploading daily! Check back often!
The daytime session was filled with novice, pre-champ, junior, juvenile, senior, and pro-am competitions. The pro-am Standard was especially international with 11 couples representing 6 countries represented.
For many the Philippine Star Ball is something of a vacation as the Philippine Deaprtment of Tourism sponsors a beach vacation to an out island for those who wish.
I'll let you know how it goes in Dance Beat world soon!
Read about the Beach Vacation and watch the video!
Paulo Bosco & Silvia Pitton feature at La Classique
Date: Fri, Feb 12th, 2010 3:22:25 am
Author: Didio Barrera
The first night here at La Classique Du Quebec the audience got a treat, this was the Show by Former IDSF Standard Champions Paulo Bosco & Silvia Pitton
Read the full story in Edition 0210-3
The crowd gave them a warm welcome and MC Pierre Allaire outdid himself by entertaining the crowd wile they were changing.
Click for another video of Paulo & Silvia
Three events were featured during the first day of the 2010 Classique; the Amateur Risings Star Latin, the IDSF Senior Latin and the Professional Rising Star Standard. The event with the must punch was the Rising Star Latin won by Kiki Nyemchek & Magda Fialek form the USA, the runners up were Edgar Brivks & Ariel Oziewicz and third went to Tomas Ster & Betty Attia. We felt that the best round for this competition was the semifinal, perhaps too much time elapsed between this round and the final but by the time they took to the floor again we found the couples a little sluggish.
Read the full story in Edition 0210-3
Date: Tue, Feb 2nd, 2010 10:43:05 am
Author: Dance Beat World
Readers talk back! Comments on our UK Championship coverage!
Read the comments now in Edition 0210-1
Read next week's Dance Beat World (Edition 0210-1) for readers' comments.
Oliver Wessel Therhorn, National Coach for Germany, gives us the real reason Benedetto Ferruggia & Claudia Koehler did not dance at the UK Championships!
Peter Pover vents on the political situation and the boycotts!
Do you have a comment too? Email us at:
info@dancebeat.com
Read the UK report in Edition 01-10-4
Read the comments now in Edition 0210-1
Best Pro Latin Semifinal in 20 years!
Date: Thu, Jan 21st, 2010 9:14:01 pm
Author: Keith todd
It could have been a final of 8 or 9! Crowd on its feet after the 12!
Read full story in Edition 0110-4
photos by Andrew Miller www.dancefotoman.co.uk
I'm not taking anything away from the final, but the semifinal of the Professional International Latin was the best semifinal we've seen in this division for 20 years!
With all the new partnerships and established couples vieing for a place in the 6, this was truly a memorable moment. The final too was special, but let me first make mention of the couples who certainly could have made it and didn't. First and foremost: Stefano Di Fillipo & Olga Urmova (Italy). this brand new partnership would have been in our final! Matej Krajcer & Iwona Golczak (Slovenia), the former world and British Champions, now back together and looking as subtle as ever!
In the final. The winners were Michael Malitowski & Joanna Leunis 
(Poland). Second were Riccardo Cocchi & Yulia Zagoruychenko (USA), The two front runners were great - but who had the better night? Read Dance Beat World soon for our opinion. And also for expert commentary from Paul Richardson. And what about Slavik Kryklyvyy & Anna Melnikova (Russia)? Was 5th the right place for them? Or was anti-Russian the theme of the night? (See Amateur Standard for more!) Read the full report in Dance beat World soon. Don't miss it!
Now on to the Amateur Standard. World Champions, Benedetto Ferrugia & Claudia Koehler (Germany) were AWOL! Where were they? I don't think the Germans were boycotting this event!! The winners were Andrea Ghigiarelli & Sara Andrachio (Italy) who were a little s
ubdued tonight. Second were Emanuel Valeri & Tania Kehlet (Denmark) - our new favorite lady in this division! But returning to our "anti-Russian" theme - why were Marat Gimaev & Alina Basyuk 5th? Did they deserve to be dumped? You can read our opinion in Dance Beat World soon and also the expert opinion of Anna Mikhed.
Read full story in Edition 0110-4
4,000 on their feet for Pro Standard
Date: Wed, Jan 20th, 2010 7:51:01 pm
Author: Keith Todd
A final that included 2 new partnerships brings UK audience to its feet!
Read full story in Edition 0110-4
photos by Andrew Miller www.dancefotoman.co.uk
It was one of those nights at the UK Championships this year as the capacity audience rose to its feet at the conclusion of the Professional Standard final. The question all day was whether World Champions, Arunas Bizokas & Katusha Demidova (USA) could hold off the challenge from former World Champion, Mirko Gozzoli dancing for the first time with Edita Danuite, a former partner of Arunas, and representing Italy. Well the answer was they could! Arunas & Katusha, in a super cool performance won the day leaving the runners-up spot to Mirko & Edita.
Most in the crowd had a favorite with the majority leaning vocally towards Mirko & Edita. For us at Dance Beat World, Arunas & Katusha had the edge tonight but great battles lie ahead.
The second new partnership in this final was that of Victor Fung & Anastasia Muravyeva (USA) and they also proved themselves, placing third tonight. Who knows where this final will go next!
The remaining three places in the final all fell to Italy. Roberto Villa & Morena Colegreco were 4th, Domenico Soale & Gioia Cerasoli were 5th and Paulo Bosco & Silvia Pitton were 6th.
Also dancing for the first time here were Angelo Madonia & Alessia Betti (Italy) and they made the semifinal.
We'll have a full report soon in Dance Beat World, and don't miss the report by Lorraine Barricchi - she has some things to say including some comments on the panel of judges.
The Amateur Latin was missing the top Russian and Italian competitors due to the IDSF boycott of this competition. We're not totally sure if this is an "official" boycott but it seemed to work. This left 3 world finalists out of this competition.
The winners were Zoran Plohl & Tatsiana Lahvinovitch (Croatia) who have been second at recent competition and have beaten the current World Champions, Alexey Silde & Anna Firstova (Russia) who were not present within the last year. So their vicotry here was not a 
surprise. In second spot were Jurij Batagelj & Jagoda Strukelj (Slovenia). Home town favorites, Neal Jones & Ekaterina Sokolova (England) were 3rd. What an improvement this lady has made! We thought she was outstanding! 4th were Martino Zanibellato & Michelle Abiltrup (Denmark). Many in the audience felt this duo should 
have placed higher - we'll let you know our opinion soon in Dance Beat World. The last two places in this final went to first timers - Valentine Chmerkoskiy & Daria Chesnokova (USA) were 5th and Dorin Frecautanu & Roselina Doneva (Moldova) were 6th. Both of these couples really danced their souls out and both challenged constantly for higher placements.
Gorin Nordin will have a full report in Dance Beat World soon.
Read full story in Edition 0110-4
Date: Tue, Jan 19th, 2010 8:18:19 pm
Author: Keith Todd
Will Boycotts Affect UK Open Championships?
photos by Andrew Miller www.dancefotoman.co.uk
The question on everyone's mind here in Bournemouth for the UK Championships is will the possible boycott by Italian & Russian competitors affect one of England's grand old competitions? Well for the full answer we'll have to wait and see. Many of the IDSF stars from Russia are entered in the event, but will they show up and compete in the competitions in the face of their IDSF member organization? We'll have to wait and see!
For tonight, entries saw some decline in both professional and amateur rising star divisions but I'm sure the winners felt just as elated as always and by and large the competitions were fair if not stellar events.
The highest profile win came in the Professional Rising Star Standard as recent "amateur" stars, Valerio Colantoni & Sara Di Vaira (Italy) cruised to what we thought was an easy first place. Eldar Dzhafarov & Anna Sazina (Azerbaijan) were 2nd and Wiktor Kiszka & Natasha Manderson (England) were 3rd. Don't miss our full report in Dance Beat World soon. We thought there were 3 clear frontrunners - but were these the 3! Find out!
In the Professional Rising Star Latin the USA was the dominant country by the numbers with 4 couples in the semifinal and 3 in the final. But those three could only manage 3rd, 4th & 5th. The winners were Joshua Keefe & Sara Maganelli (Italy). 2nd were Andrei Prosvurin & Yulia Rogozina (Russia) and 3rd were Denis Podolski & Yuliya Kushnirenko (USA). To get our view on the final you'll have to read Dance Beat World, but was the Egyptian collar on winner Sara a good idea?
For us the Rising Star Amateur Latin was split into 2 groups - the short and the tall! For us the shorts did better and the judges seemed to agree. In the "short" category were both the winners and runners up. Alex Zampierollo & Elza Pole (Latvia) were the winners and Sarunas Greblikas & Viktoria Horeva (Latvai) placed 2nd. For us these were certainly the best two in the final. Igor Yaremenko & Yana Yaroslavskaya (Ukraine) were 3rd.
Possibly the most evenly matched final was the Amateur Rising Star Standard. We thought Lukasz Tomczak & Aleksandra Jurczak (Poland) were the best in the 6 and the judges agreed. The ever smiling Janick Lowe & Pia Lundanes (Denmark) were 2nd. (Perhaps its time to tone down those pearly whites guys?). 3rd were Stanislav Portanenko & Nataliya Kolyada (Ukraine).
We are looking forward to some good events at the UK Championships - one of our favorite events in the world, as the weak progresses. Political unrest aside, this is still one of the world's premier competitions.
We have great commentators lined up for the feature events so don't miss Dance Beat World in the coming weeks. Click here to download our current edition and all archived editions
Date: Wed, Jan 13th, 2010 12:49:01 am
Author: Paul Holmes
IDSF uses new scoring system for the first time
For the full report download edition 0110-2
Photos by John Fam
During the weekend of the 12th and 13th of December, I had the good fortune to be invited to Shanghai, China, to adjudicate the IDSF Grand Slam Finals, the Sixth Shanghai International Dancesport Open and the 19th China National Dancesport Championships.
Our hosts for the weekend have to be complimented on organizing a fantastic event, held at the Sports Stadium and their hospitality towards us was first class.
This was the second time that the IDSF Grand Slam Finals have been held in Shanghai but the first time that a new judging system was to be used. To be honest, I had reservations before arriving in Shanghai on how this new system would work. My fellow adjudicators and I arrived one day early to be given training on this new system.
The competitions were judged as normal up until the final then we changed to the new system where the adjudicators sit on the stage with a laptop computer in front of them. The couples danced each of the five dances singly and the judges were given the task of evaluating each couple over five discipline categories.
1. Posture and coordination
2. Quality of movement
3. Musicality
4. Partnering skills
5. Choreography
For the full report download edition 0110-2
Date: Thu, Feb 18th, 2010 2:29:20 pm
Author: Anya Klimova-Preston
The Bassano Open 2010 welcomed IDSF and IPDSC competitors from more than 20 countries. The competition held in the impressive "Pala Bassano" in the quaint Italian town Bassano Del Grappa. Read the full report in Edition 0310-1
by Anya Klimova-Preston, IDSF, WDC Adjudicator
The city was beautifully decorated for the carnival celebration. The adjudicators and competitors enjoyed the colorful parade after the first day of Bassano Open. The organizers Patrizia and Mauro Lini created a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for everyone who attended. Tasteful music, appropriate lighting, outstanding stage design, on-time results, comfortable dressing rooms, and endless Italian coffee - everything was set up in a highly professional manner. It was an honor for me to represent the United States as an adjudicator at Bassano Open 2010.
The IDSF Grand Slam Standard had 76 participated couples and the following results:
1. Benedetto Ferruggia - Claudia Koehler Germany
2. Emanuel Valeri - Tania Kehlet Denmark
3. Simone Segatori - Annette Sudol Germany
4. Marat Gimaev - Alina Basyuk Russian Federation
5. Sergey Konovaltsev - Olga Konovaltseva Russian Federation
6. Rosario Guerra - Grazia Benincasa Italy
The IPDSC World Cup Standard had 21couples and the following results:
1. Paolo Bosco / Silvia Pitton Italy
2. Luca Bussoletti / Tiasha Vulic Slovenia
3. Isaia Berardi / Cinzia Birarelli Italy
4. Luca Rossignoli / Veronica Haller Italy
5. Francesco Decandia / Sabrina Laconi Italy
6. Giuseppe Magnelli / Francesca Pietramale Italy
7. Rustam Shayakhmetov / Olesya Kargina Russian Federation
The IPDSC World Cup Latin had 10 couples and the following results:
1. Evgeny Imrekov / Elizaveta Divak Russian Federation
2. Stefan Green / Adriana Sigona Italy
3. Luca Bussoletti / Tiasha Vulic Slovenia
4. Giovanni Scandiffio / Eleonora Scandiffio Italy
5. Alessio Di Veronica / Ilaria Manganiello Italy
6. Cosmo Tattoli / Ekaterina Shitova Italy
Read the full report in Edition 0310-1
Date: Thu, Feb 18th, 2010 1:07:28 am
Author: Keith Todd
Well actually - Boracay! Dancers go on beach vacation after Philippine Star Ball. Watch the video
One day after the 3rd Philippine Star Ball (read article and watch videos), the organizers of the competition, Michaela Puno & Jojo Carino together with the Philippine Department of
Tourism, treated the dancers and officials to a 2-day beach vacation at the luxurious Shangri-la on the tropical, Southeastern island of Boracay, about an hour's flight and boat ride from Manila.
A white sand, private beach, sumptuous grounds and swimming pools and every amenity was the order of the day. We all ate and sunned more than we should have, but what a wonderful way to end an exciting competition!
For my full report download a future edition of Dance Beat World and read "Thrilling & Chilling in Manila!" But for now, watch the video of our tropical beach vacation! Click here.
Professional Latin A Hit at La Classique!
Date: Sun, Feb 14th, 2010 10:20:22 am
Author: Didio Barrera
The Professional Latin tonight was a total hit at La Classique Du Quebec. Over twenty couples entered in this year’s Professional Latin event.
Read the full story in Edition 0210-3
Most of them of good quality and the six chosen were all capable and well deserving of this honor. For most of us that remember the Classique as the “way it used to be,” that is no longer the case. The Classique has made a major comeback and it is poised to be one of the best competitions run in the new world today.
Eugene Katsevman & Maria Manusova from the USA were solid from beginning to end making it easy for the judges to mark them first in all dances with perfect scores in all dances from all judges. Kamil Studenny & Katya Trubina were second overall by wining three dances and placing third in paso & jive. Francis Lafreniere & Claudia Primeau-Sauve were third. Were Kamil & Katya as good as they sound or were the judges just to taken by the novelty of the partnership and they just had to oblige?
The IDSF Open Standard was also run this evening and although it was not as big as last night, it still held it’s own. Azymon Kulis & Margarita Zvonova from Estonia placed first and were for us the comfortable winners. A challenge could have come from Anton Belyayev & Antoaneta Popova from Canada, but they perhaps pushed a little too hard and did not hit the spot with all the judges. They are a fairly new ten dance partnership that have the talent to surpass and so in no time I think they will be holding the trophy. The new partnership of Mechyslav Pavlyuk & Virginie Primeau-Poirier took third, something of a surprise for many of us.
The Youth Latin was also a great event but it was really a two way run between Winson Tam & Anna-Nina Kus from Canada who took first and Patrick Rucinsky & Ella Reedman also from Canada who placed second.
The Senior Standard competition was terrific with an entire final composed of good couples. Xingmin Lu & Katerina Lu from the USA took first, David & Liva Wright from the USA were second and Horace Hu & Agnes Yuan placed third.
Read the full story in Edition 0210-3
For Day 1 click here
For Day 2 click here
Date: Sat, Feb 13th, 2010 4:47:01 am
Author: Didio Barrera
IDSF Latin and Pro Standard top the bill at Friday night session of La Classique!
Read the full story in Edition 0210-3
Tonight at La Classique Du Quebec there were a number of good events, but the night was all about Zoran Plohl & Tatsiana Lahvinovich from Croatia. In the past we have not always enjoyed this talented couple’s performances, we have often criticized their lack of musical interpretation and feeling. Tonight in front of a packed house they proved us wrong. There was six couples in the final but there might as well have been no one else they were brilliant.
5. Daniils Kutzovs & Carolina Swietoniowska from Canada
6. Alan Gilin & Anastasia Trutneva from Canada
The second most interesting event was the Professional Standard but from the beginning it was all in the bag for Anton Lebedev & Anna Broshch who danced form the word go like the champions. Second went to Richard Tonizzo & Clair Hansen from Canada who just turned pro at the UK. And in a surprise event Russ & Katusha Wilder from the US were awarded third ahead of Andrey & Yuliya Klinchik also from the USA. So were Richard and Clair good enough to be second and are Russ & Katusha making it big or was this just a gift by the judges? Read the full article on this competition here real soon, free to download.
The Amateur 16+ was also an event worth a mention. Szymon Kulis & Margarita Zvonova from Estonia took first & Patrick Rucinsky & Ella Nusenbaum from Canada took second and won the youth later on. Winson Tam & Anna-Nina Kus placed third in the 16+ and second in the youth. Anna must have been quite excited mentally because she seemed to break down when they were called for second in the Youth. I know this is a lot of pressure on these kids to win, but what needs to be stressed to these kids is the fact that this is just another event and with work and perseverance the result can easily be overturned, I’ve seen it all happen before.
The Rising Star Professional was also run this evening and I would not mention it but for the fact that there was a brilliant lady on the floor. She and her partner took the prize home and I think they deserve a mention - Sharone Levit & Yuliya Zavadska from Canada
For report from Day 1 click here
Read the full story in Edition 0210-3
Date: Sun, Jan 24th, 2010 10:26:01 am
Author: Didio Barrer
Today there were two IDSF events running, the IDSF Latin and the IDSF Standard.
Read the full report in Edition 0210-1
The Latin was almost the same as in the World Cup with a few changes, such as the inclusion of Andrey Silvestri & Martina Varadi from Hungary. (Click on couples names to view video clip) Andrey & Martina who placed sixth took the spot vacated by Timo Kulczak & Motshegetsi Mabuse of Germany who did not dance. Some of the competitors in this final danced a little differently but I will fill you in on the overall article on the Snow Ball Classic. The winners were once again 
Vladimir Karpov & Maria Tzaptashvilli from Russia and the runners up like the night before was the brother and sister team Gabriele & Antonia Goffredo from Italy.
The IDSF Open Standard was wonderful they had two great players Emanuel Valeri & Tania Kehlet who won all dances. They in my opinion were in a class of their own. The second couple to share the spotlight was Simone Segatori & Annette Sudol from Germany who placed second in all dances and also got the majority of seconds in all dances. These two were a delight to watch and the audience showed their appreciation by being very enthusiastic.
Read the full report in Edition 0210-1
Click here for Day 1 & World Cup
IDSF World Latin Cup in Canada
Date: Sat, Jan 23rd, 2010 4:03:13 am
Author: Didio Barrera
Karpov/Tzaptashvilli take it. Gofreddos 2nd. Kulczak/Mabuse 3rd.
Read the full report in Edition 0210-1
The Snowball Classic in Canada presented the 2010 IDSF World Latin Cup Friday January 22nd. It was a small but well-packaged evening with only twenty countries represented but most couples were of high caliber. Russia’s Vladimir Karpov & Maria Tzaptashvilli took the trophy home winning all dances and taking the majority of firsts in all dances. Click couples names to view a clip of their performances.
The crowd was quite pleased with the result but their favorite couple this evening was from Slovenia, Miha Vodicar & Nadiya Bychkova and this showed it when they were called to receive their fourth place. The audience made themselves heard and then they screamed and yelled for the couple, some even gave them a standing ovation. What made this couple so popular with the crowd, their skill or their looks? We will bring you our opinion in a future issue of Dance Beat soon, free to download.
Second place went to Gabriele Goffredo & Antonia Goffredo from Italy. They took seconds in all dances. They did not seem pleased with the result or were too tired to muster a smile. Or were they 
expecting to win? The seasoned team of Timo Kulczak & Motshegetsi Mabuse from Germany took third. Should they be changing their strategy or is it time to go professional? We will give our opinion in the next few issues.
Read the full report in Edition 0210-1
The 2009 Australian DanceSport Championships
Date: Fri, Jan 22nd, 2010 3:15:01 pm
Author: Peter Smith
What started out as a basic one-day dance event at the Melbourne Town Hall in 1945 has now, some sixty-three years later blown out to an International Celebration of Dance over three days and nights of competition with championship quality covering all the three styles that are popular within the Australasian region.
Read the full report in Edition 0110-3
Photographs by Mark Gadsden of Dancesportphoto.net
Whilst the expansive Hisense Arena adjacent to the very famous Melbourne Cricket Ground is the chosen venue for the serious portion of this event, it is the Grand Ballroom of the Sofitel Melbourne Hotel on Collins in the nearby CBD where this event gets underway in great splendour.
It is here that the “Who’s Who” of the DanceSport fraternity in this part of the world gathers on the Thursday night prior to the Championships to attend a Gala Dinner & Ball in support of the Alfred Foundation. This charity event is a fairly new innovation and it is one way that the DanceSport industry can make a major contribution to this wonderful foundation that supports the Alfred Hospital, one of Melbourne’s leading research, children’s and surgical hospitals.
Read the full report in Edition 0110-3 With additional commentary by Philip Nicholas