A Grand Opening for the 2025 WDSF DanceSport Festival in Blackpool

Yesterday marked the beginning of an unforgettable chapter in DanceSport history, as the 2025 WDSF DanceSport Festival officially opened its doors at the iconic Empress Ballroom in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens. With over 1,500 registered athletes, three days of competition, multiple World Championships, and the first GrandSlam Series of the year, this historic event is already living up to its promise.

Blackpool, long considered a sacred stage for generations of dancers, welcomed athletes from across the globe to compete beneath the sparkling chandeliers and to the sounds of the legendary Empress Orchestra. For many, it was a dream come true to dance in this revered venue—and the energy on Friday reflected the excitement of that dream becoming reality.

WDSF Open Competitions – Day 1 Highlights

Three thrilling WDSF Open competitions helped set the emotional and competitive tone for this historic weekend in Blackpool. Throughout the day, the Empress Ballroom pulsed with energy as couples from across Europe delivered beautiful performances, cheered on by an enthusiastic and deeply engaged audience.

The atmosphere was nothing short of magical—audiences responded with heartfelt applause after each final, showing their appreciation for the elegance, dedication, and technical mastery of the dancers. For many, it was a moving experience to see these categories take place on such a revered stage.

Youth Standard

In the Youth Standard category, the level of talent was exceptional, with Latvia’s Richards Krivins and Alexandra Shamova taking a well-deserved win. Lithuania’s Kristupas Mlinskas and Liepa Rudnickaite danced with poise and placed second, while Berbece Patrick and Elza Freiberga from Romania completed the podium with a dynamic and expressive performance.

1. Richards Krivins / Alexandra Shamova (LAT)
2. Kristupas Mlinskas / Liepa Rudnickaite (LTU)
3. Berbece Patrick / Elza Freiberga (ROU)

Senior I Standard

The Senior I Standard final was a true celebration of grace and experience, with Italy claiming the top two spots. Stefano and Tatiana Manni danced with commanding elegance to take the title, while fellow Italians Jonny Ruscito and Noemi Agostino secured second place. Third place went to the technically impressive Czech couple, Martin and Katerina Cech.

1. Stefano Manni / Tatiana Manni (ITA)
2. Jonny Ruscito / Noemi Agostino (ITA)
3. Martin Cech / Katerina Cechova (CZE)

Senior III Standard

Closing the Open category highlights was the Senior III Standard final, which brought a deeply emotional moment for the local crowd. Spain’s Vicente Munar Vidal and Rosa Maria Garcia Perello delivered a flawless and moving performance that earned them a standing ovation—and the gold medal. Great Britain’s own Phil Holding and Melina Harrison were met with roaring applause as they took second place, while Italy’s Fiorenzo Fortin and Marianna Voltan rounded out the podium.

1. Vicente Munar Vidal / Rosa Maria Garcia Perello (ESP)
2. Phil Holding / Melina Harrison Harrison (GBR)
3. Fiorenzo Fortin / Marianna Voltan (ITA)

You can access the complete results of all WDSF Open competitions by clicking here.

Rising Stars World Challenge Cup Latin – A Spectacular Showdown

One of the day’s most anticipated events was the Rising Stars World Challenge Cup Latin, which delivered a sensational evening of talent, style, and emotion. Italy’s Luigi La Rocca and Marika Maria Scerra emerged victorious in a nail-biting final, narrowly edging out the runners-up in what was a truly exceptional round of performances.

It’s a phenomenal start to the year for Luigi and Marika, who in 2024 claimed both the WDSF World Championship Latin U21 and the European Championship Latin U21 titles. The couple has not only impressed with their talent and precision on the floor, but also captured the hearts of fans around the world. Known for their expressive, joyful reactions during ceremonies, they once again moved the audience in Blackpool—this time with a heartfelt embrace during the medal ceremony that drew warm applause and even a few teary smiles from the crowd.

Their blend of charisma, connection, and technical brilliance is quickly turning them into true DanceSport celebrities.

Rising Stars Latin – Finalists:

1. Luigi La Rocca / Marika Maria Scerra (ITA)
2. Vladimir Vyrleev / Maria Proshletsova (KGZ)
3. Demid Anisimov / Giuliana Domingues da Silva (GER)
4. Augustinas Trinkus / Beatrice Rupslaukyte (LTU)
5. Kajetan Tygielski / Nicole Menser (POL)
6. HE YI / Ouyang Shan (CHN)

Full Rising Stars results available here. An exclusive interview with the winners will be released soon on our social channels – don’t forget to follow us!

2025 WDSF World Championship Senior II Standard – A Triumph for the Netherlands

The final act of the day came with the 2025 WDSF World Championship Senior II Standard, where Serhii Shulha and Olha Shulha (NED) rose to the top of the world stage. After earning silver at the European Championship in Lyon just two months ago, the couple now celebrates a long-awaited World title—an emotional and well-deserved moment that crowned a day full of excellence.

Their performance in Blackpool signals a remarkable rise in form, and with this victory, they open what promises to be a very exciting year ahead.

World Championship Senior II Standard – Final Results:

1. Serhii Shulha / Olha Shulha (NED)
2. Tomas Rimkus / Nerija Surblyte (LTU)
3. Gatis Simsons / Julija Simsone (LAT)
4. Valerio Bilancioni / Silvia Badiali (ITA)
5. Ruben Viciana Lopez / Eva Moya (ESP)
6. Francesco Argenziano / Giovanna Auletta (ITA)
7. Maksim Tschernin / Diana Pierau (GER)

An exclusive interview with the champions will be available soon on our Instagram and YouTube pages.

A Message from the President

Yesterday, during the Opening Ceremony, WDSF President Shawn Tay delivered a heartfelt and inspiring speech that resonated with all in attendance. He took the opportunity to thank the entire organizing team for their outstanding work in the past months to bring this dream to life, as well as to extend his gratitude to the Presidium, Managing Committee, the sponsors and partners of the event, and of course, to the athletes, whose presence and passion are making this festival truly historic.

“This opening day at the Empress Ballroom reflects everything DanceSport stands for: elegance, passion, and perseverance. We are proud to bring our athletes back to this legendary venue for a weekend that celebrates the past, present, and future of our sport.”
— Shawn Tay, WDSF President

Thank You to Our Sponsors and Partners

This event would not be possible without the invaluable support of our main sponsors: BD Dance, Atos, and Casa Musica, as well as our event partners: British DanceSport Federation (BrDSF), Olympic Channel, and Dance TV.

We also thank the many brands contributing to the festival’s success, whose presence in the Arena Room, adjacent to the Empress Ballroom, is enriching the experience for spectators and athletes alike. You can view the full list of exhibitors and partners here.

Watch It All – Live and On-Demand

📺 You can now rewatch all of Friday’s competitions on the WDSF YouTube channel:

🎥 Join us again today, Saturday 12 April, for two new live sessions covering the day’s action.

And don’t forget — the GrandSlam Standard, held in collaboration with BD Dance, will feature exclusive global coverage by Olympic Channel from the Quarter-Finals through to the Final and Medal Ceremony.

Stay Connected

Follow WDSF on all platforms for behind-the-scenes content, highlights, interviews and the latest from Blackpool:

Instagram: WDSF DanceSport
YouTube: DanceSportTotal
Facebook: WDSF DanceSport
TikTok: WDSF DanceSport

Let’s keep celebrating the passion, talent, and artistry of DanceSport — together, from Blackpool to the world. Photos by Sanshi Studio.

Published on 12 April 2025