Part 4 The Flag, the Gold, the Future — The Story of Glukhov and Glazunova
Less than 24 hours after claiming the gold medal at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, Alexey Glukhov and Anastasia Glazunova sat down with us one last time to close this interview series. The celebration was still in the air, the adrenaline not yet settled, and the memories of the night before vividly alive.
Over the past months, we’ve met them at key moments, before their Professional debut in Tokyo, after becoming PD World Champions, and on the road to The World Games. This time, we meet them at the very peak, with the title every DanceSport athlete dreams of, and the stories, emotions, and reflections that come with it.
From the pride of carrying the Moldovan flag at the Opening Ceremony, to the meaning of this victory after missing the 2022 edition, to their thoughts on what comes after “the top,” this final chapter reveals the human side of champions whose journey has been as much about connection and purpose as it has about medals.
Carrying the Flag, Carrying the Story
For Anastasia Glazunova, representing Moldova has taken on a deeply personal meaning, one that goes beyond the competition floor.
“Yes, I have a grandfather from Moldova,” she explains. “We’ve always been in touch, but when I decided to represent Moldova it brought us much closer, it felt like, thanks to dance, our whole family came closer.”
“Now it feels like, thanks to dance, we have a bigger family, in Moldova and beyond.” — Anastasia Glazunova
That bond was on full display at The World Games Opening Ceremony, where Anastasia had the honour of carrying the Moldovan flag. The moment was captured by Alexey, his phone in hand and pride written all over his face.
“It was a great opportunity to be there and take part in this wonderful event. We’re really proud to represent Moldova,” she says. Alexey adds that making a little piece of history for Moldova means a lot to them.
When asked about the moment itself, Alexey laughs. “At the beginning, she told me she would do this. I asked if I could help her. She said, ‘No, I’ll manage myself, you record.’ So, I did. I was curious to see if she would carry it all the way, it was quite heavy! But the whole atmosphere was amazing. Everything came together, the flag, the ceremony, and created a special moment we’ll always remember.”
A Victory Four Years in the Making
For most athletes, winning gold at The World Games is a career-defining moment. For Alexey Glukhov and Anastasia Glazunova, it was also the culmination of a journey marked by patience, perseverance, and circumstances beyond their control.
“The first feeling was that we felt pain everywhere,” Anastasia laughs, “but it was nice pain.”
Alexey adds a more reflective note: “The World Games is the highest achievement an athlete in DanceSport can reach. Not everyone gets this title, it’s held only once every four years, so it feels really special. For us, it has a very big value, especially when you think of all the way we’ve come.”
The sense of fulfilment was amplified by the long road to get there. After years of preparation and uncertainty, simply stepping onto that stage again made the moment resonate even more, a payoff for persistence as much as for performance.
For Anastasia, the sentiment is simple but powerful: “It’s a great honour for us to receive it.” After a patient, resolute journey, little more needs to be said. The rest is written on the floor.
Beyond the Floor
Besides maintaining this level of performance, 2025 also brought a new mandate for Anastasia off the dance floor. Earlier this year, she was elected as Chair of the WDSF Athletes’ Commission, a role that, under WDSF Statutes, also grants her a seat on the Presidium.
“I think it’s very important that someone from the Athletes’ side is connected with all the members of the Presidium,” she says. “Athletes have a lot of questions, and sometimes they don’t have the opportunity to reach people from the Federation directly. This role creates that connection.”
Her priority is clear: the future of athletes once their competitive careers end. “As soon as they finish, they need to understand what’s next,” she explains. “That’s something we have to discuss more with all Presidium members.”
“The most important question right now is the future of all athletes once they finish their career.” — Anastasia Glazunova
After the Peak
Balancing the demands of competition with the responsibilities of leadership is no small task. Yet for Alexey and Anastasia, the two roles seem to feed into each other, pushing them to think not only about their own path, but also about the sport’s future.
When you’ve just reached the very top, the natural question is: what comes next? For Anastasia, who now represents athletes within the WDSF Presidium, the answer carries extra weight. “Maybe the next peak will be in other parts of our life,” she says with a laugh, hinting at ambitions beyond competition.
Alexey reflects more deeply: “Maybe it’s not necessary to have another peak right away. First, it’s important to give value to the one we’ve reached, to really appreciate this chapter, and then, with that experience, we can move forward to something new. Life as a sportsman is short, so the way we close this chapter and start the next one matters.”
“First, it’s important to give value to the peak we’ve reached, and then, with that experience, move forward to something new.” — Alexey Glukhov
He likens their journey to a book. “Of course, you enjoy each chapter. And when you finish the book, you feel good about having lived that whole story. But you’re also excited to start the next one. We don’t know exactly what it will be, but we’re sure it will be enjoyable, because whatever happens, we’ll find a way to enjoy it, just like we enjoyed this period.”
And through it all, one thing remains constant: the people. “We’ve been lucky to have so many great people around us along the way,” Alexey says. “Many of them are from DanceSport, sharing these moments with us. Even if our status changes, these people will remain, and that makes the transition from one chapter to another feel connected, not abrupt. That’s really great.”
The Story We Shared
Getting to know the path of others often leads us to reflect on our own, on the moments that shaped us, the obstacles we overcame, and the dreams that still lie ahead. Over these past months, sitting down with Alexey and Anastasia has been more than just an interview series. It has been an invitation to look closer, to understand the sacrifices behind the smiles, the discipline behind the artistry, and the humanity behind the titles.
For Alexey and Anastasia, there will always be more chapters to write, and perhaps even new books to begin. Some will be written on the competition floor, under the lights and in front of thousands; others will take shape quietly, in the spaces between events, in the people they inspire, and in the roles they now carry beyond the floor.
We can only hope to keep reading along with them, page after page, as they continue to craft their story with the same elegance, courage, and authenticity that have defined their careers so far. Our deepest thanks to them for sharing not just their victories, but their thoughts, their laughter, and their vision for what comes next, and for letting us walk a part of that road by their side.
In Moldova’s Words
From the WDSF, we did not want to miss the opportunity to hear first-hand what Alexey and Anastasia’s journey has meant for the Republic of Moldova. Since embracing the Moldovan flag, they have not only achieved historic victories, culminating in their Gold Medal at The World Games, but have also brought visibility, pride, and inspiration to a new generation of dancers in the country.
Their career representing Moldova has been marked by elegance, consistency, and a series of triumphs on some of the sport’s most iconic stages. Each performance has carried with it the pride of a nation, strengthening the presence of Moldovan DanceSport on the world map.
“Alexey and Anastasia have brought honour to Moldova with their exceptional performances and their dedication to the sport. Their victory at The World Games is a historic moment for our federation and an inspiration to every young dancer in our country.” — Petru Gozun, President of the Moldova DanceSport Federation
Stories Worth Telling
DanceSport is full of moments that inspire,stories of dedication, resilience, and joy that deserve to be shared. This has been one of them, and there are many more waiting to be told.
Readers can continue following Alexey and Anastasia’s journey on Instagram, witnessing firsthand the dedication, artistry, and passion that define their remarkable career.
Stay connected with us
Don´t forget to follow us on social media to stay up to date with the latest updates on the DanceSport community:
Instagram: WDSF DanceSport
YouTube: DanceSportTotal
Facebook: WDSF DanceSport
TikTok: WDSF DanceSport
X: DanceSportTotal
LinkedIn: World DanceSport Federation (WDSF)
Published on
