An unforgettable evening of world dance sport took place at the Starez Arena Vodova in Brno, where more than 4,000 spectators filled the stands for two extraordinary WDSF World Championships in Latin American Dance – Adults and the WDSF World Championship in Show Dance Standard – Adults.
An amazing atmosphere, a live broadcast on Czech Television, and dedicated fans once again confirm Brno as one of the most significant cities in the dance world.
CELEBRATION OF DANCE AND EMOTION
The stadium came alive from the very first moments – the electrifying crowd enthusiastically cheered, especially the performances of a few pairs.
Although the audience warmly supported all the contestants, every time the Czech couple entered the dance floor, thunderous applause echoed through the arena – a true celebration of home pride.
The event garnered exceptional attention thanks to Czech Television, the media, and extensive coverage on the social media channels of ČSTS, Kometa Family, and WDSF, supported by a live campaign with billboards, influencers, and digital promotion.
GREATEST MOMENTS AND RESULTS
WDSF World Championship - Latin Adult
The competition brought exceptional performances throughout the day, culminating in a grand opening ceremony before the highly anticipated semifinals.
Excitement reached its peak as Jakub Lipowski and Tereza Kučerová (CZE) qualified for the final – to the immense joy of the home crowd.
The final itself was a celebration of rhythm and art – it included a group Cha-Cha, a solo Samba, a group Paso Doble, a solo Rumba, and a final group Jive that brought the audience to their feet.
Each couple showcased their signature moves in a stunning display of skill and passion – the floor transformed into a festival of emotions.
Charles-Guillaume Schmitt and Elena Salikhova (FRA) claimed their first World Championship title in Latin American dance – an emotional triumph that left them almost speechless.
On the podium, they were joined by Guillem Pascual and Diandra-Aniela Illes (ESP), who made a strong return after Diandra's injury at the Grand Slam in Stuttgart, and Yan Bangbang and Du Yujun (CHN), who recovered from an injury that sidelined them from the Grand Slam in Rome in early October. The day was marked by comebacks, resilience, and exceptional quality.
World Championships results in Latin:
Charles-Guillaume Schmitt – Elena Salikhova (FRA)
Guillem Pascual – Diandra-Aniela Illes (ESP)
Yan Bangbang – Du Yujun (CHN)
Miculescu Ionut Alexandru – Pacurar Andra (ROU)
Malthe Brinch Rohde – Sandra Sorensen (DEN)
Jakub Lipowski – Tereza Kučerová (CZE)
After their victory, Charles-Guillaume Schmitt and Elena Salikhova expressed their heartfelt gratitude in an exclusive interview – now available on the official WDSF channel. They described the moment as „magical and unforgettable,“ amplified by the presence of their enthusiastic French fans. The interview concluded in a euphoric atmosphere as Charles and Elena were lifted and tossed into the air by their colleagues – a perfectly captured moment of joy and celebration that filled the entire arena.
WDSF World Championship – Show Dance Standard Adult
While the Latin segment captivated with rhythm, Show Dance Standard dazzled with storytelling. Artistic and athletic performances merged in a series of breathtaking displays that kept the audience in hushed anticipation.
Champions of the evening – Dmitri Kolobov and Signe Busk (DEN) – presented a captivating performance that combined flawless technique with an impressive story. After several years at the highest level – including several gold medals this year and a fourth place at the European Championships in Adult Standard Dance in Calvia in March – they deservedly took home the title of World Champions in Show Dance Standard.
The audience reacted with genuine emotion and admiration, especially during the performance of local favorites Jan Metlický and Ela Odstrčilová (CZE). This pair, who have been dancing together since 2018, won the Czech titles in Combination and Show Dance this year and achieved their first international victory at the WDSF International Open in Hradec Králové. Their elegant choreography earned them second place and a standing ovation.
Angelo Annese and Lisa Cudin (ITA) finished in third place, having won silver last year at the World Show Dance Standard Championships in Sitges.
Results:
Dmitri Kolobov – Signe Busk (DEN)
Jan Metlický – Ela Odstrčilová (CZE)
Angelo Annese – Lisa Cudin (ITA)
Andres Pohl – Magdalena Weinstabl (AUS)
Anton Kireyeu – Elizaveta Mirsaetova (AIN)
Jamie Groeneveld - Lesley Groeneveld (NED)
IMPORTANT GUESTS AND THANKS
The event enjoyed the participation of distinguished guests and representatives from the local organizing committee.
WDSF expresses gratitude to the organizing team, the Olympic Channel for media coverage, and Casa Musica for the unforgettable musical accompaniment during the final rounds.
„What we've seen today transcends medals and titles. Brno reminded us of what Dance Sport truly means – unity, creativity, and the shared joy of movement. The level of artistic expression in the Latin competition was exceptional, while the emotions and stories told through Show Dance Standard touched every heart in the arena. A powerful reminder that Dance Sport is not just a competition – it's art in motion.“
OCTOBER 19 – SECOND DAY OF THE COMPETITION
The excitement continues on Sunday, October 19th, with another full day of top-tier competitions featuring a diverse range of categories:
WDSF World Open (new series) Standard Adult
WDSF World Open (new series) Latin Adult
WDSF Open Standard Youth
WDSF Open Standard Junior I
WDSF Open Standard Junior II
WDSF Open Latin Youth
WDSF Open Latin Junior I
WDSF Open Latin Junior II
Fans can expect another day full of energy, elegance, and emotion as dancers from around the world take to the floor once again, determined to win titles, points, and the hearts of the audience. With so much talent and passion, Brno is once again becoming the beating heart of world DanceSport – and you won't want to miss a single moment.
