Dmitry and Olga nominated for AOTY voting 28/12/2018

Their record is outstanding. Dmitry and Olga have won every single competition since the World Games 2017. Four World Championship titles, three European Championship titles, 20 GrandSlam wins including winning the GrandSlam Series Finals for three times. In sports language: there was a hat trick after another.

We have recognized Dmitry and Olga not only as great competitors and great athletes, but they have also shown and shared wisdom to all involved in DanceSport, and all sport, how dreaming of something might turn out to reality if you believe in yourself. They have inspired us by setting up the main goal so high that reaching it might seem impossible, keeping on practising and improving even if some of the goals on the way have been reached, and enjoying the journey at the same time. Even when times were hard, there were tears of disappointments and bad moments they kept their chins up, found a strength of it all, and continued, more hard-working and more determined than ever.

DanceSport is about sport but it is also about artistry and emotions. Throughout their dancing career Dmitry and Olga have told us stories and raised emotions that will remain in our hearts and minds. We remember their reaction to the last scores of the final of World Championship 2018, when the impossible became reality and they won the historical fourth World Title. Dmitry took Olga to his arms and carried her off the dance floor. We remember the expression after the last dance of GrandSlam Final in Shanghai 2018, when it was clear that it was over. And later that same evening, we were holding back the tears with them as Olga announced that it was the last competition of their amateur career. And even during summing up their journey from the beginning they showed their sport spirit, tears in their eyes, by respecting and thanking their fellow competitors and adjudicators, and by saying that were proud of the younger ones for whom they handed over their place in the spotlight.

Not only great sport spirit, but these moments have shown their way of being good persons. Even though they won it all they remained at all times humble, respecting their fellow competitors, sharing the inspiring stories to their fans and the next generation of dancers. Dmitry and Olga have been true role models to all dancers and also to all athletes in every sport. As a couple they were one. As one unit they were bigger than 1+1.

DanceSport Legends – Dmitry Zharkov and Olga Kulikova. Voting begins on January 1st.