Hundreds of Athletes from Over 40 Countries Compete in a Record-Breaking Global Dance Sport Series
Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 24 December 2025 – The United Arab Emirates has firmly established itself as a global capital of dance sport following the successful delivery of an unprecedented series of four World Championships and two World Cups, organized by the World Federation of Acrobatic Dances and Dance Sports (WFADS) and staged across Abu Dhabi and Dubai throughout December.
Spanning multiple competition days, the UAE hosted elite international events in Show Dance, Ballroom, Latin, and Breaking, welcoming hundreds of athletes from more than 40 countries. This landmark program represents the most ambitious, diverse, and internationally significant dance sport initiative ever held in the region.
Abu Dhabi: World Championships and World Cups at the Highest Level
From 13 to 15 December, Abu Dhabi became the epicenter of the global dance sport community, hosting:
- World Show Dance Championship (Ballroom & Latin)
- World Cup for Professionals (Ballroom & Latin)
- World Cup for Amateurs (Ballroom & Latin)
The centerpiece of the program was the first official WDC World Show Dance Championship, a historic event that attracted a record-breaking 43 dance couples from 21 countries—the highest participation ever recorded in the history of show dance championships. This exceptional turnout confirmed both the championship’s international stature and the rapidly growing global relevance of the discipline.
The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Oleg Firer, Vice President of WFADS, who delivered a welcoming address on behalf of Sheikh Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, President of WFADS. The ceremony was further honored by the presence of Donnie Burns, MBE, President of the World Dance Council (WDC), and Nadezhda Erastova, Vice President of WFADS.
In the opening message, Sheikh Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan emphasized the strategic importance of hosting world-class sporting events in the UAE and reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to international sport, cultural exchange, and youth development.
World Show Dance Championship Results
Ballroom
- 1st Place: Egor Sinelnikov – Valeria Krivorchuk (Russia)
- 2nd Place: Ford Parley – Joleigh Natalie (USA)
- 3rd Place: Igor Tverdovskiy – Maria Zakharyashcheva (Russia)
Latin
- 1st Place: Oleg Chzhen – Alina Ageeva (Russia)
- 2nd Place: Artem Goryunov – Elvira Lapteva (Russia)
- 3rd Place: Lloyd Perry – Anna Sloukova (Great Britain)
The championship unfolded in an atmosphere of excellence, professionalism, and unity. Performances were met with enthusiastic audience support, while the competitive spirit was consistently marked by respect and camaraderie among athletes.
Acro Swing World Championship
The Acro Swing World Championship concluded on 20 December 2025 in Abu Dhabi, bringing together elite athletes from around the world in a vibrant and highly athletic discipline defined by rhythm, lifts, and aerial artistry. The event marked a significant milestone in the global Acro Swing calendar and further highlighted the UAE’s growing role as a hub for international dance sport competitions.
World Championship Results – Adults
- 1st Place: Vladimir Ranov – Alisa Slavianskaia (Russia)
- 2nd Place: Ugo Tarpin – Pauline Bau (France)
- 3rd Place: Andrey Gavrilov – Veronika Gavrilova (Russia)
Acrobatic Rock’n’Roll World Championship
The Acrobatic Rock’n’Roll World Championship concluded on 20 December 2025, marking a thrilling highlight of the international series. The competition showcased explosive energy, precision, and exceptional athletic excellence from top-ranked athletes across multiple categories. The championship was honored by the attendance of His Highness Sheikh Rashid Bin Nasser Al Nuaeimi, Member of the Ruling Family of Ajman, whose presence underscored the strong institutional and cultural support for the development of international dance sport in the United Arab Emirates.
World Championship Results – A Class Adults
- 1st Place: Nikita Gladkikh – Vera Danchenko (Russia)
- 2nd Place: Sergey Dmitriev – Emilia Agaverdieva (Russia)
- 3rd Place: Michal Gasparets – Anna Soldatova (Slovakia)
World Championship Results – B Class Adults
- 1st Place: Illia Shykov – Zhasmin Singkh (Russia)
- 2nd Place: Aleksandr Shekhovtsov – Arina Nikolaeva (Russia)
- 3rd Place: Marko Sedlic – Lana Vidakovic (Croatia)
World Championship Results – M Class Adults
- 1st Place: Konstantin Samoilov – Anastasia Gusarova (Russia)
- 2nd Place: Pavel Khromykh – Anastasiia Ivantsova (Russia)
- 3rd Place: Alex Deli – Kata Forian (Hungary)
World Championship Results – Formation Women
- 1st Place: Charm (Russia)
- 2nd Place: Belarus Lady’s Rock (Belarus)
- 3rd Place: Grils Bombe (France)
Dubai: Breaking Takes Center Stage in a World-Class Championship Finale
The international series concluded in Dubai on 19–20 December with high-level Breaking competitions, underscoring WFADS’ commitment to urban and youth-driven dance disciplines.
The WFADS Dubai Open Breaking Championship 2025 delivered electrifying performances that reflected the global rise and cultural impact of Breaking.
The Breaking Championship was attended by His Highness Sheikh Abdulhakim Obaid Suhail Buti Al Maktoum, Member of the Royal Family of Dubai, highlighting the growing recognition of urban dance disciplines and their importance in engaging youth, promoting creativity, and strengthening cultural exchange.
WFADS Dubai Open Breaking Championship 2025 Results
- 1st Place: B-boy Amir Zakirov (Kazakhstan)
- 2nd Place: B-boy Gravity (USA)
- 3rd Place: B-boy Ruslan Footrockets (Russia)
The Breaking competition further highlighted the diversity, creativity, and elite technical level present throughout the entire WFADS championship series.
World Cups: Innovation, Energy, and Record Participation
The World Cup for Professionals featured 44 elite couples from 19 countries and introduced an innovative competition format. While preliminary rounds followed the traditional structure, the semifinals adopted a dynamic head-to-head battle format, followed by finals that combined individual and group performances. The refreshed format energized the competition and was enthusiastically received by both athletes and spectators.
World Cup Results – Professionals
Ballroom
- 1st Place: Michal Le – Sandra Jablonska (Poland)
- 2nd Place: Evgeny Nikitin – Anastasia Milyutina (Russia)
- 3rd Place: Nikita Trishkin – Olga Zenukhina (Russia)
Latin
- 1st Place: Dorin Freccatanu – Marina Sergeeva (Great Britain)
- 2nd Place: Kirill Belorukov – Valeria Aidaeva (Russia)
- 3rd Place: Pavel Zvychainy – Polina Teleshova (Russia)
The World Cup for Amateurs concluded the Abu Dhabi program on an equally impressive scale, with 114 couples from 21 countries competing across Standard and Latin disciplines.
World Cup Results – Amateurs
Ballroom
- 1st Place: Ivan Varfolomeev – Yana Masharova (Russia)
- 2nd Place: Kirill Vlasov – Kristina Polunina (Russia)
- 3rd Place: Nikita Beresnev – Alina Islamova (Russia)
Latin
- 1st Place: Sharif Mirkhanov – Anna Dolgopolova (Russia)
- 2nd Place: Lloyd Perry – Anna Sloukova (Great Britain)
- 3rd Place: Taha Cosar Batu – Diana Fedorova (Russia)
A Defining Moment for Global Dance Sport
The successful execution of four World Championships and two World Cups within a single international program represents a defining milestone for WFADS and for global dance sport as a whole.
Exceptional organization, prestigious venues, innovative formats, and broad international participation demonstrated the United Arab Emirates’ capacity to host world-class sporting events at the highest international level.
WFADS extends its sincere gratitude to the World Dance Council (WDC), participating national federations, athletes, coaches, judges, partners, and supporters whose dedication made these historic events possible.
About World Federation of Acrobatic Dances and Dance Sports (WFADS)
The World Federation of Acrobatic Dances and Dance Sports (WFADS), headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland — the Olympic Capital, represents thousands of athletes and millions of enthusiasts worldwide. WFADS advances acrobatic dance disciplines across cultures and continents, uniting communities through passion, performance, and unity.
From Acro Swing and Breaking to DanceSport and Acrobatic Rock’n’Roll, WFADS unites athletes and communities through passion, performance, and unity, demonstrating the power of movement to inspire, connect, and transform lives worldwide. For more information, please visit: https://www.wfads.ch.
Media Contact:
World Federation of Acrobatic Dances and Dance Sports (WFADS)email: press@wfads.ch www.wfads.ch
