Budapest Hosts the Inaugural Day of the 2025 WDSF World Championship Stage Dance

Gyál, Budapest, Hungary – The Gyáli Sport Hall came alive yesterday as the first day of the 2025 WDSF World Championship Stage Dance unfolded, welcoming over 2,000 athletes representing 19 countries and a vibrant mix of clubs. With approximately 600 spectators in attendance on the first competition day, the hall buzzed with excitement, providing the perfect stage for a weekend dedicated to innovation, skill, and the growing diversity of DanceSport disciplines.

IMAGE 1.jpg

The venue, freshly prepared for the occasion, was transformed into a dynamic arena. Every corner of the hall reflected the energy of the dancers, while the audience played a key role in amplifying the atmosphere. From the opening performances, it was evident that Budapest is quickly establishing itself as a hub for international DanceSport, embracing new disciplines and showcasing the next generation of talent.

Celebrating Milestones and New Disciplines

This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the Hungarian DanceSport Association, a milestone that lent extra significance to the event. Representatives of the local dance community highlighted the importance of this competition in promoting new Stage Dance disciplines among local clubs:

“It is a great pleasure that we have this event in a new discipline this year. Our aim is to promote these dances among our sports clubs in order to be more open to these new disciplines”

Distinguished guests from Hungary’s dance leadership were present throughout the day, witnessing the high level of performance and the enthusiastic participation of athletes from across the continent.

Highlights and Key Results of the Competition, Friday 12^th December

The first day featured a full schedule of competitions, with athletes delivering performances that combined technical mastery, creativity, and expressive storytelling. From the first routines, the audience’s energy was palpable, with spectators cheering at every turn and responding to every display of athleticism and artistry. Between the categories that were unfolded over the first competition day we can find:

WDSF World Championship Modern & Contemporary Dance Solo Female Adult

The podium of the WDSF World Championship Modern & Contemporary Dance Solo Female Adult showcased a remarkable blend of established excellence and emerging talent. Jana Malcic (CRO), claiming the top spot, reinforced her status as one of the discipline’s leading figures. Her 2025 season has been nothing short of extraordinary, with victories at the European Championship in Elblag, Poland, across multiple Modern & Contemporary Dance categories, and a triumphant double gold yesterday at the World Championship in Budapest with other majorvictory inAdult Modern & Contemporary Dance Duowith her coupleRoko Sasic. Malcic’s consistency on the international stage, including prior successes at the World Championship in Novi Sad in 2024 and the European Championship in Stockholm in 2023, underlines both her technical mastery and her expressive interpretation of modern dance.

Finishing a close second, Dora Sasic (CRO) demonstrated a career defined by resilience and growth. Sasic’s 2025 performances included a gold and silver double at the European Championship in Elblag, alongside a series of podium finishes at World Championships in Novi Sad and Budapest also yesterday with another second spot in the Adult Modern & Contemporary Dance Duowith her partnerNathalie Nujster. Her journey reflects steady progression, with a strong presence in both Modern & Contemporary Dance and Jazz Dance, earning her recognition as a versatile and formidable competitor.

Claiming a brilliant third place, Mikelanxhela Mullisi (ALB) marked an impressive entry into the WDSF Adult category. Though new to the adult international circuit, Mullisi’s performance in Budapest highlighted her potential, poise, and artistry, signalling the emergence of a talent poised to make a lasting impact on DanceSport.

The rest of the top six also delivered compelling performances. Karolina Tartanus (POL)and Aleksandra Szalowicz (POL) impressed with strong technical execution and musicality, while Gereb Luca Zsuzsanna (HUN) showcased the depth of Hungarian modern dance talent on home soil. Collectively, the finalists set a high standard for artistry, athleticism, and expressive storytelling, leaving the audience enthralled and anticipating future competitions.

WDSF World Championship Modern & Contemporary Dance Duo Adult

The WDSF World Championship Modern & Contemporary Dance Duo Adult concluded with a compelling display of artistry, technical skill, and interpretive nuance. At the summit, Elections Satire (Jana Malcic/Roko Sasic) (CRO) claimed the top spot, building on a remarkable season that included victory at the European Championship in Elblagearlier this year. Their performance combined precision, fluidity, and expressive storytelling, reflecting a partnership that has consistently impressed on the international stage.

Close behind, Respect the Balance (Nathalie Nujster/Dora Sasic) (CRO) secured second place, drawing on their own success at the 2025 European Championship in Elblag. The duo’s synergy, musical awareness, and confident execution underlined their status as one of Croatia’s most accomplished modern and contemporary pairings.

Rounding out the podium, Vierus-Gruber (GER) made a striking impression in their debut as a duo. Despite this being their first competition together at WDSF, they demonstrated remarkable artistic capability, clean technique, and an engaging stage presence, hinting at a promising trajectory in the WDSF Adult circuit.

The remainder of the top six also impressed with distinct qualities: Bergemann-Bothe (GER) and Soul Searching (Jelena Mihajlović & Paola Franjić) (CRO) showcased inventive choreography and expressive connection, while Vorsteher-Kartes (GER) brought energy and precision that resonated strongly with both adjudicators and the audience. Collectively, the finalists highlighted the depth of talent in Modern & Contemporary Dance, making for a thrilling and memorable championship.

WDSF World Championship Modern & Contemporary Dance Solo Male Adult

The WDSF World Championship Modern & Contemporary Dance Solo Male Adult showcased a remarkable display of technical mastery, musical interpretation, and artistic expression. At the top, Christian Weiss (GER) claimed the championship, building on an impressive competitive record that included gold at the European Championship in Elblag, Poland, earlier this year, as well as a series of victories 2024 World Championship in Novi Sadcategories. His performance in Budapest demonstrated not only technical precision but also a maturity and stage presence forged through years of international competition.

In second place, Leno Vierus (GER) delivered a performance marked by fluidity and interpretive depth, earning silver after a strong showing at the 2025 World Championship. His skillful execution and engagement with the music highlighted the refinement that has become characteristic of his emerging career.

Rounding out the podium, Keri Viktor (HUN) achieved a notable third-place finish. With previous experience in the 2024 World Championship in Novi Sad, his performance in Budapest reflected significant growth and an impressive command of Modern & Contemporary Dance at the adult level.

The remainder of the top five also impressed with individual artistry and technical skill. Alessandro Capello (ITA) and Ioane Nikoladze (GEO) demonstrated strong stage presence and interpretive capability, adding further depth to a competitive field that affirmed the high calibre of talent present in the Solo Male category. Collectively, the finalists delivered a memorable day of performances, each contributing to the championship’s celebration of creativity, athleticism, and artistry.

Athletes demonstrated remarkable versatility, seamlessly blending traditional Stage Dance technique with innovative choreography unique to emerging disciplines. The crowd’s engagement was a constant reminder of how DanceSport can unite audiences and competitors through shared enthusiasm and appreciation of skill.

You can also find WDSF World Championship Modern & Contemporary Dance Solo Female Youth, Duo Youth, Solo Male Youth, Solo Female Junior I, Duo Junior I and Junior II, Solo Female and Junior II, between the categories contested over the first competition day. You can check all the results here.

IMAGE 2.jpg

A Day to Remember

The event also embraced modern coverage channels. For international audiences livestream allowed DanceSport enthusiasts across Hungary and around the world to witness the action through WDSF website, while national sports magazines are set to feature detailed articles in the coming days. This level of visibility not only celebrates the athletes’ achievements but also strengthens the profile of Stage Dance in Hungary and beyond.

WDSF extends its gratitude to the Local Organising Committee for their meticulous planning and seamless execution of the event. His contributions were instrumental in creating an atmosphere that was both inspiring and memorable for athletes and spectators alike.

IMAGE 3.jpg

The Weekend Continues

As the first day drew to a close, anticipation for tomorrow’s competitions was already mounting. With the stage set for the finals across multiple categories, spectators can expect another day of exceptional performances, high energy, and touching moments. Budapest is now firmly on the map as a city capable of hosting world-class Stage Dance events, and the opening day has provided an inspiring glimpse of the excellence yet to come. Reflecting on the first day, WDSF President Shawn Tay remarked:

"Events like this showcase the incredible depth of talent and dedication through the expressive power of Stage Dance. Watching athletes perform at such a high level, while engaging audiences internationally, reminds us that the growth of DanceSport depends on passion, innovation, and community. Hungary has set a remarkable standard for what is possible when tradition meets new disciplines.”

Images by Alberto Capdepon from PMV Studio

Stay connected with us

Follow us on social media to stay up to date with all the news from the 2025 WDSF World Championship Stage Dance in Budapest

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

Published on 13 December 2025