A DanceSport Spectacle: WDSF GrandSlam Final 2025 in Shanghai

Shanghai, People´s Republic of China – 13^th & 14^th December 2025 – The WDSF GrandSlam Final in Shanghai delivered an apotheotic conclusion to the 2025 GrandSlam season, bringing two days of world-class DanceSport to an electrifying venue filled with energy, anticipation and celebration. Across the weekend, the event welcomed an enthusiastic audience that embraced every moment of competition, artistry and spectacle, confirming Shanghai’s status as a vibrant stage for elite international DanceSport.

With Latin category taking centre stage on Saturday and Standard headlining Sunday’s programme, the GrandSlam Final offered a carefully structured and highly immersive competitive format, complemented by dynamic show elements and an impactful Opening Ceremony that set the tone for a truly memorable event.

An Electric Atmosphere from the Opening Moments

From the very beginning, the venue resonated with excitement. Spectators filled the stands, responding with enthusiasm not only to the competitive rounds but also to the carefully curated shows presented before and during the Opening Ceremony. These performances added a strong theatrical dimension to the event, enhancing the overall experience and reinforcing the celebratory spirit that defines a GrandSlam Final.

Across both days, the audience remained deeply engaged, following each round with growing intensity as couples progressed through the competition. The combination of high-level sport, artistic presentation and an emotionally charged environment created a powerful connection between athletes and spectators.

Saturday, 13 December – WDSF GrandSlam Latin Adult

Saturday’s programme was dedicated to the WDSF GrandSlam Latin Adult, featuring 13 couples in the quarter-finals following a tie in the rankings. Each dance – Samba, Cha-Cha-Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive, was presented with precision and intensity, as athletes fought for one of the ten available places in the semi-final, which allowed space for expressive interpretation while maintaining fierce competitive pressure. From there, the top six advanced to the final, where the GrandSlam’s signature head-to-head, solo dance format took centre stage.

The final face-offs, dancing under focused spotlights in a darkened arena, created a strikingly intimate and dramatic atmosphere. With each pairing sharing the floor alone, the format demanded maximum presence, musical clarity and emotional projection, drawing the audience into every movement.

The podium of the WDSF GrandSlam Latin Adult brought together couples whose competitive histories reflect sustained excellence at the very highest level of international DanceSport. Sharing the top honours, Charles-Guillaume Schmitt and Elena Salikhova (FRA) arrived in Shanghai with one of the most distinguished palmarés, marked by multiple GrandSlam victories throughout 2024 and 2025, the World Championship Latin Adult title in Brnoearlier this year, and a season defined by consistent gold medals across Europe and Asia, including Blackpool, Stuttgart, Wuxi and Rome.

IMAGE CHARLES GUILLAUME ELENA SALIKOVA.jpg

Alongside them, Guillem Pascual and Diandra-Aniela Illes (ESP) confirmed their place among the global elite, building on a career highlighted by repeated silver medals at GrandSlam events, a European Championship Latin Adult silver in Calvià, and a World Championship bronzein Wuxi in 2024, underlining their long-term presence at the top tier of international competition.

Completing the podium, Yan Bangbang and Du Yujun (CHN) brought a palmarés shaped by strong performances across the GrandSlam series and World Opens, including multiple GrandSlam podium finishes, a World Open victory in Wuhan, and consistent top-four results at World Championships, reflecting their growing authority on the world stage. Just beyond the medals, Malthe Brinch Rohde – Sandra Sorensen (DEN), Miculescu Ionut Alexandru – Pacurar Andra (ROU) and Konstantin Gorodilov – Polina Figurenko (EST) rounded out a highly competitive final, adding further depth and quality to a GrandSlam Standard field defined by experience, resilience and international excellence.

Final:

IMAGE PODIUM LATIN.jpg

You can check all the results here.

Sunday, 14 December – WDSF GrandSlam Standard Adult

The podium of the WDSF GrandSlam Standard Adult reflected a convergence of couples whose competitive records testify to sustained excellence at world level. On the gold spot, Cojoc Rares and Matei Andreea (ROU) arrived with one of the most highlighted palmarés in Standard DanceSport, led by their World Championship Standard Adult titlethis November in Sibiu, and reinforced by a series of GrandSlam victories in Rome, Stuttgart and Wuxi, alongside consistent podium finishes at European Championships and major World Open events throughout 2024 and 2025.

IMAGE COJOC RARES ANDREA MATEI.JPG

Joining them at the top, Dariusz Mycka and Madara Freiberga (POL) confirmed their long-standing presence among the global elite, highlighted by a silver medal at the 2025 World Championship in Sibiu, multiple GrandSlam podiums, and a succession of World Open victories across Europe and Asia, reflecting both competitive resilience and international breadth.

Completing the podium, Dmitri Kolobov and Signe Busk (DEN) brought a trajectory defined by steady progression and versatility, combining a bronze medal at the2025 World Championship Standard Adultin Sibiu, a World Championship title in Show Dance Standard Adultin Brno, and numerous World Open wins, underscoring their growing authority on the world stage. Just outside the medals, Yuan Shaoyang – Qi Chongxuan (CHN), Georgy Kalashnikov – Grigore Daria (ROU) and Andrea Roccatti – Julia Mozdyniewicz (ITA) rounded out a highly competitive final, adding further depth and international character to a GrandSlam Standard field shaped by experience, consistency and elite performance history.

IMAGE Dmitri Kolobov - Signe Busk.jpg

Final:

IMAGE PODIUM STANDARD.jpg

You can check all the results here.

A Celebration of the GrandSlam Spirit

Reflecting on the significance of the event, WDSF President Shawn Tay shared his perspective:

“GrandSlam in Shanghai represents the essence of DanceSport at its very best. We witnessed excellence shaped by a full season of dedication, resilience and passion. These athletes inspire, elevate DanceSport and define its future.”

The WDSF GrandSlam Final in Shanghai stood as a powerful celebration of DanceSport, combining sporting excellence with artistic innovation and an unforgettable live experience. From the dramatic competitive format to the vibrant audience response, the event embodied everything the GrandSlam series represents.

WDSF extends its sincere gratitude to the Local Organising Committee, technical officials and all partners involved for their professionalism and commitment in delivering an event of the highest international standard. Special thanks are also extended to Olympic Channel, whose global coverage allowed DanceSport fans around the world to experience the excitement of the GrandSlam Final, and to Casa Musica, whose music and sound identity provided the competition with a distinctive soundtrack that elevated every round and performance.

As the curtains fell in Shanghai, athletes and spectators alike celebrated not only new champions, but a season defined by passion, performance and the enduring global spirit of DanceSport.