Magic, Fever, Unstoppable: GrandSlam - Day 4 of the German Open Championships 2026

STUTTGART, GERMANY – 14 AUGUST 2026. Energy inside the Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Liederhalle hit an all-time peak on Friday as the 38th German Open Championships entered its pivotal fourth day. Accompanied by the lively presence of this year's official mascot, a mascot bat bringing smiles to spectators of all ages, the packed halls and roaring stands set an electric backdrop. Dancers and fans filled every corner of the venue, fully aware that the long-awaited weekend climax was officially underway with the first of two blockbuster weekend features: the WDSF GrandSlam Standard.

The evening gala in the main arena elevated the atmosphere even further with three captivating special shows:

Nguyen Doan Minh Truong & Dang Thy Huong delivered the dramatic third chapter of their Wartime Love Story, depicting the poignant bond between a nurse and a soldier during the Vietnam War.
Konstantin Gorodlinov & Polina Figurenko delighted the crowd with a high-stakes, stylish and sensual routine set to Hit the Road Jack.
Malthe Brinch Rohde & Sandra Sorensen brought sharp dynamic power to the floor with an expressive Cha Cha Cha performance.

Highlights of the Day, Friday, 14 August 2026

Unscripted Magic: WDSF GrandSlam Standard Adult

Beyond the technical precision on display inside the Beethoven-Saal, the GrandSlam produced an unforgettable moment of pure magic. During a brief intermission while awaiting the official scores, Dmitry Kolobov and Signe Busk alongside Rares Cojoc and Andrea Matei stepped onto the floor to dance spontaneously without music, moving to the rhythmic clapping of the crowd.

Adding a visual poetry to the final round, a sea of pristine white gowns swept across the floor, contrastingly broken by Andrea Matei. The competitive intensity reached thrilling heights as China's Yuan Shaoyang and Qi Chongxuan brought fierce power to their movement, matched by the relentless drive of Poland's Dariusz Mycka and Madara Freiberga. The evening culminated in a dizzying, high-octane Quickstep final that left the crowd breathless before a grand Prize Presentation presented by BDDANCE x UDANCE, official WDSF GrandSlam partner, with awards handed over by WDSF 1st Vice-President Nenad Jeftić, DTV Federal Sports Director Ivo Münster, Vera Zhang President of BDDANCE x UDANCE, and GOC CEO Bernd Roßnagel.

The final standings reaffirmed the absolute supremacy of Rares Cojoc and Andrea Matei. Cruising at an unstoppable competitive pace as the undisputed favorites, the Romanian powerhouse continues a flawless 2026 campaign. Having already claimed every single GrandSlam Standard title so far this year alongside their crowned victory as World Champions last July in Nanjing, Cojoc & Matei once again proved why they currently set the gold standard in global DanceSport.

Magic, Fever, Unstoppable: GrandSlam - Day 4 of the German Open Championships 2026

Runners-up Yuan Shaoyang and Qi Chongxuan electrified the arena, with the Stuttgart crowd erupting and chanting their names every time their feet touched the floor. Meanwhile, Dariusz Mycka and Madara Freiberga fought fiercely to secure a celebrated bronze, capping off a dramatic podium.

Following another masterclass performance on the Stuttgart floor, the newly crowned champions Rares Cojoc and Andrea Matei met with the WDSF Press Team backstage. Still absorbing the atmosphere of the Beethoven-Saal, Cojoc reflected on the unique intensity of competing at the Liederhalle:

"It is definitely the most emotional GrandSlam that you can dance. It's so loud, the public is extremely warm... So, I think we managed to leave our footprint today."

Beyond adding another major title to their historic resume, the evening carried profound personal significance for the Romanian couple. For Cojoc, having his family in the stands transformed an already momentous victory into an unforgettable milestone:

"I think it was very emotional for us, especially that our whole performance was witnessed by my eldest son. That was, for me, something truly unbelievable. It was like a dream come true that one day my kids will understand what I am performing, my results, and my position in DanceSport, reaching the point where they become aware of all the work we have done for, in my case, the last 30 years. It’s been a very, very long journey. Tonight was really beautiful."

Andrea Matei echoed those feelings, emphasizing the venue's legendary status within the sport:

"Yes, especially winning the German Open for the second time. It's amazing, and for sure this competition has a special place in my heart."

When asked the question on every fan's mind,"Will we see you two again next year in Stuttgart?", the pair shared a candid look before Matei outlined their current competitive mindset:

"Well, after winning the second world title, we said that we are going to take everything step by step. So, title by title."

Cojoc expanded on their future trajectory, balancing short-term focus with the everlasting magic of the Stuttgart stage:

"We'll see. We will start planning our journey a bit more short-term, not through such a long project. Because we've managed to win the world title two times, and we've managed to win the German Open two times now."

So, if you ask me if I'd like to be here again and feel all these emotions once again, well, definitely, yes. Because it's something that I think stays with us. We leave with it in our hearts and in our souls forever, actually. These are memories that you cannot buy. Money cannot buy something like this."

WDSF Open Standard Senior II

The final of the WDSF Open Standard Senior II provided one of the most heartwarming moments on Day 4 in the Liederhalle. Netherlands’ Serhii Shulha and Olha Shulha stepped onto the top step of the podium once again after delivering a flawless performance. Upon hearing the final scores, the couple celebrated their victory with an ecstatic mid-air embrace on the dance floor, reflecting the sheer passion they bring to every performance.

This win extends a truly remarkable winning streak: the Dutch duo have claimed gold in every single international competition they have entered since April 2025.

WDSF Open Solo Standard Female Junior II

Spain’s Natalia Simó delivered another breathtaking performance in the Liederhalle, capturing gold in the WDSF Open Solo Standard Female Junior II. The triumph marks a spectacular double-podium week for the young Spanish star following her bronze-medal finish in Solo Latin just 24 hours earlier.

Simó’s victory in Stuttgart extends an extraordinary winning streak that stretches back to May, where she has dominated both Latin and Standard disciplines at major events including Calvià and Valencia. Immediately after the official results were announced, an emotional Simó rushed off the floor into a warm victory embrace with her mother before catching up with the WDSF Team backstage.

Reflecting on what it meant to reach the pinnacle of the German Open Championships, Simó was noticeably moved:

"The truth is that I have no words to describe this emotion. It is a privilege to be able to attend and represent my country in this prestigious competition; winning it is a dream come true."

When asked about her mindset while facing such a formidable international field, she emphasized her focus on artistic authenticity and the unwavering support of her inner circle:

"My motivation throughout this competition has been to give my best and enjoy to the fullest being able to be on this track and dance with dancers of such level. I have tried to teach something characteristic of each dance, and my family has been essential on this journey."

WDSF Open Latin Junior II

WDSF Open Solo Latin Male Juvenile II

WDSF Open Solo Standard Male Junior I

WDSF Open Latin Senior I

WDSF Open PD Standard Master Class II

The ultimate climax of GOC 2026 arrives tomorrow with Saturday's grand finale. All eyes in the Beethoven-Saal will turn to the eagerly awaited WDSF GrandSlam Latin Adult, featuring world-renowned powerhouse couples such as Guillem Pascual and Diandra-Aniela Illes, Yan Bangbang and Du Yujun, and Malthe Brinch Rohde and Sandra Sorensen.

Beyond the electric dancefloor, Day 4 offered a deeply nostalgic moment as former WDSF athlete, professional dancer, and TV star Oana Nechiti returned to the Liederhalle. Observing the new generation from the stands, Nechiti reflected on how special it felt to return to her roots:

"Coming back to the German Open after 14 years was truly special for us... returning to the Liederhalle brought back so many beautiful memories. It was wonderful to see so many young athletes full of passion, discipline, and ambition, watching how fit, focused, and motivated they are is incredibly inspiring."

Reuniting with former colleagues and experiencing the event from a new perspective, Nechiti underscored the timeless allure of the sport and its tight-knit international community:

"There is something so beautiful about the spirit of DanceSport: the athleticism, the discipline, the elegance, and the incredible aesthetics... Coming back after all these years reminded us just how much dance has shaped our lives, and how special this community will always be to us."

As the music fades on Day 4, the floor is set for the final dances of the 38th German Open Championships. Whether celebrating reigning champions defending their crowns or witnessing young stars rise to the global stage, Stuttgart continues to prove that the dedication, passion, and spirit of these extraordinary athletes remain, as WDSF President Shawn Tay often emphasizes, the beating heart of DanceSport.

Don't miss a single second of the final day, tune in live via the official WDSF Livestream!

AMagic, Fever, Unstoppable: GrandSlam - Day 4 of the German Open Championships 2026

Photos by Bob van Ooik.

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Published on 15 August 2026