World Ballroom Dance Championships marks 20th anniversary in Shenzhen

The 20th World Ballroom Dance Championships (WBDC), which kicked off July 12 at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Futian District, has attracted more than 7,000 contestants from 35 countries and regions.

"It's my honor to witnessed the 20 years' development of World Ballroom Dance Championships and Chinese dancers do a good job to improve dancing skills," said 84-year-old Robin Short, who is the honorary president of the World Dance Council and has served as a judge for the competition for 20 consecutive years. "World Ballroom Dance Championships in Shenzhen has become a great dancing event and facilitate exchanges between dancers from around the world. I am delighted to be the judge for the championships once again," he said.

As one of the three most prestigious dance competitions in the Asia-Pacific region, this year's competition caters to both professional and amateur dancers from the U.S, Russia, U.K., Italy, Australia, South Korea and Japan, and participants' ages ranged from 3 to 74. The organizing committee invited over 200 international judges as well as Chinese judges for the 20th WBDC.

Dancers in the competition's top-tier categories vied for the championship title July 16 and 17. Ultimately, Stanislav Zelianin and Irina Cherepanova, from Singapore, emerged victoriously in the professional category of modern dance. In the professional category of Latin dance, Dorin Frecautanu and Marina Sergeeva from U.K. claimed the top spot. Alexander Chernositov and Arina Grishanina from the U.S. claimed the championship in the amateur category of Latin dance while Tang Yujie and Zhao Aini from Chongqing secured the championship In the amateur category of modern dance.

The teenage section, held July 12 to 14, created a world-class platform for young dancers. Feng Tanhui, a dance studio owner who accompanied with two contestants, told Shenzhen Daily that it is amazing and worthy to compete in the high-class dancing competition. "I have competed at the World Ballroom Dance Championships from 2015, now my students from dancing studio in Suzhou continue to join. It’s glad to see Chinese competitors have improved year by year," said Feng. 

Stanislav Zelianin and Irina Cherepanova, from Singapore, secure the championship in the professional category of modern dance. Photos and video by Sun Yuchen

Alexander Chernositov and Arina Grishanina, from the U.S., claim the championship in the amateur category of Latin dance.

Dancers swirl gracefully around the dance floor during the opening ceremony.

Dancers swirl gracefully around the dance floor during the opening ceremony.

The opening ceremony of WBDC is held July 16.

A noteworthy moment takes place at the opening ceremony when dancers dance to a hit song created by a Dutch vlogger who grow up in Shenzhen.

Dancers perform at the opening ceremony of the 20th World Cup Ballroom Dance Championship.

Judges score at the dancing competitions.

Chinese dancers compete in an exciting competition. 

International dancers compete in an exciting competition.

International dancers compete in an exciting competition.

Dancers perform at a group dance. 

Dancers perform at a group dance. 

Dancers present a solo dance.