Intensity Peaks on Day 3 at the Asian DanceSport Festival 2025

Wuxi, People’s Republic of China – 19 July 2025

As the third day unfolded at the Wuxi Taihu International Expo Centre, the excitement soared to new heights. Saturday’s programme featured a rich combination of youth, solo and professional competitions, culminating in the highly anticipated WDSF GrandSlam Latin Adult—one of the jewels of the four-day Festival. With passionate crowds, world-class athletes, and unforgettable performances, DanceSport once again proved why it captivates fans around the globe.

Youth Power, Rising Stars, and Solo Brilliance

Earlier in the day, the dancefloor saw a full range of categories from Solo Standard to Youth Latin, showcasing the depth and breadth of talent emerging across the continent. The level of artistry and energy was consistently high, with many couples building strong reputations as future title contenders.

Highlighted Results – Top 3

WDSF Open Standard Youth

1. Richards Krivins – Alexandra Shamova (LAT)
2. Kristupas Mlinskas – Liepa Rudnickaite (LTU)
3. Liu Yijia – Su Xiaoke (CHN)

WDSF Open Standard Rising Stars

1. Chi Yang – Tang Ruyi (CHN)
2. Li Yusong – Li Yi (CHN)
3. Qiao Yutong – Yang Xinyi (CHN)

WDSF Open Solo Standard Female Juvenile I

1. Chen Zitong (CHN)
2. Yu Qinlan (CHN)
3. Zhang Ningxi (CHN)

WDSF Open Solo Standard Female Juvenile II

1. Chan Sze Yau (HKG)
2. Wu Linfei (CHN)
3. Ren Sihan (CHN)

WDSF Open Latin Junior I

1. Sergey Lyubchenko – Madina Mirzaeva (UZB)
2. He Xin – Guo Youqi (CHN)
3. Yao Zhenlong – Chen Xinzhu (CHN)

You can find the full results of the day here.

Time for Professional athletes – WDSF Open PD Standard Adult

The Professional Standard final closed the daylight session with poise and technical excellence. A six-couple final brought an elegant close to the earlier programme, highlighted by a commanding victory from a couple at the top of their game:

WDSF Open PD Standard Adult – Finalists:

1. Edgaras Baltaragis – Indre Baltarage (LTU)
2. Zhu Tao – Sha Hanyu (CHN)
3. Jiang Jiying – Zhao Yuye (CHN)
4. Liu Yingjie – Meng Jianing (CHN)
5. Wang Xiao – Wang Yixin (CHN)
6. Li Hongsheng – Song Chao (CHN)

Edgaras & Indre, already podium regulars, added this Wuxi victory to their Super Grand Prix title in Blackpool (April 2025) and a third-place finish at the PD World Championship in May. All eyes will be on them again in the upcoming Super Grand Prix to take place in Stuttgart this August during GOC.

The Crown Jewel: WDSF GrandSlam Latin – A Night to Remember

The highlight of the entire Festival came in the evening: the WDSF GrandSlam Latin Adult, which gathered 102 couples from around the world to battle for glory across six thrilling rounds of competition. With the Wuxi crowd at full capacity and the Olympic Channel broadcasting live, the stage was set for magic.

The event progressed smoothly until the quarterfinals, where Jakub Lipowski & Tereza Kucerova (CZE) were forced to withdraw due to an unfortunate injury. This left an unusual 23-pair quarterfinal round, but the show continued seamlessly—and we send our best wishes for a speedy recovery to this world-class couple.

From there, the atmosphere only intensified. A vibrant semifinal ignited the venue with energy and anticipation, especially with local favourites Yan Bangbang & Du Yujun (CHN) back to defend their victory from 2024. Also warmly welcomed were Tam Winson & Anastasia Novikova of Hong Kong, China, whose charisma continues to resonate with fans.

The Grand Final, introduced with a dynamic new format, kicked off with a high-energy group Samba, igniting the floor and setting the tone for a night to remember.

But it was the Solo Cha Cha Cha that truly stole the show—each couple commanding the spotlight with style and precision at its turn. The audience held its breath, then erupted into applause as dancers moved to the Kiss & Cry, where scores lit up the screens and raw reactions—joy, relief, even tears—made the moment unforgettable.

From a powerful Paso Doble to a passionate Solo Rumba, the emotion only deepened, until the night ended on a high with a group Jive that brought the entire venue to its feet.

In a powerful performance, Charles Guillaume Schmitt & Elena Salikhova (GER) emerged victorious. Known for their consistency and artistry, this marked their first-ever win in Wuxi, making it a particularly emotional milestone, as they shared in their heartfelt post-event interview—already available on our social media channels.

Acknowledgements

The WDSF expresses its sincerest appreciation to the Local Organising Committee of Wuxi, the Chinese DanceSport Federation (CDSF), and DanceSport Asia for their outstanding coordination and hospitality.

We extend special thanks to:

• BD Dance, Official Sponsor of the WDSF GrandSlam
• Casa musica, for providing the iconic soundscape of the evening
• Olympic Channel, for bringing this world-class competition to global audiences

“Tonight’s GrandSlam final in Wuxi showcased the very best of DanceSport: world-class performances, passionate crowds, and an atmosphere that will stay with us long after the music fades. Congratulations to every athlete who gave their all on this magnificent stage.”

Watch the Replay – GrandSlam Latin

Relive every moment of the WDSF GrandSlam Latin by watching the full replay now on the Olympic Channel.

Coming Up: GrandSlam Standard Finale

Don't miss the final day of the Festival, as the WDSF GrandSlam Standard takes center stage to close out the 2025 Asian DanceSport Festival in style. Watch the Quarter-Finals, Semifinals and Final live exclusively at Olympic Channel.

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Published on 19 July 2025