Over 200 Officials Gather in Stuttgart for WDSF Adjudicators Congress Ahead of GOC 2026
The official opening of the 2026 German Open Championships (GOC) week has commenced with extraordinary momentum, following the successful conclusion of the annual WDSF Standard and Latin Adjudicators Congress and Examinations at the Alte Reithalle in the complex of the Maritim Hotel Stuttgart.Speaking exclusively to WDSF following her session, key lecturer Dr Anna De Grande shared her insights on the congress and the remarkable floor demonstration that marked the week’s opening.
Highlighting the growing global commitment to technical excellence and judicial integrity, this year’s congress saw a remarkably strong turnout with over 200 registered participants from 44 different countries, exceeding last year's attendance figures.
A Comprehensive Educational and Technical Agenda
Organised across two intensive days (9–10 August), the congress provided an essential platform for continuous professional development, regulatory updates, and rigorous assessment.
The proceedings opened with a welcome address by Mr. Nenad Jeftic, WDSF 1st Vice President and Vice President for Sports, who led an insightful analysis on Sport Development and the Evolving Competition Landscape. Jeftic also delivered an in-depth presentation on the Absolute Judgement System (AJS24), outlining its key features, operational enhancements, and practical application designed to maximize objective scoring across all major events.
The academic schedule featured specialized lectures delivered by some of the most respected authorities in DanceSport:
Latin Disciplines: Dr Anna De Grande conducted key sessions focusing on the Structured Evaluation of Technical Qualities as well as Movement to Music in Latin Dances. Julie Fryer led a dedicated lecture on the Structured Evaluation of Partnering Skills, emphasizing dynamic connection and floor craft. Reflecting on this, Dr Anna De Grande highlighted the significance of the gathering:
“I would like to thank WDSF Academy for inviting me once again to be a lecturer in Stuttgart at GOC. It is always a big responsibility, but also a great honour and a pleasure. WDSF Congress during GOC is always among the most prestigious events in our calendar each year.”
Standard Disciplines: Pino Magnelli presented a comprehensive lecture on the Structured Evaluation of Movement to Music in Standard Dances, while Michele Bonsignori addressed the Structured Evaluation of Choreography and Presentation, breaking down composition criteria and performance impact.
The educational component culminated with the official candidate examinations, including the General Knowledge Test (GKT), the English Comprehension Test (ECT), and the theoretical and practical AJS Examinations.
A Special Surprise: Return of Latin Legends
A standout moment of the congress occurred during Dr Anna De Grande’s session on Latin technical qualities. To the delight and surprise of the assembled adjudicators, world-renowned Latin icons Marius-Andrei Balan and Khrystyna Moshenska took to the floor to assist with practical live demonstrations.
Marking their special appearance in Stuttgart following their retirement from PD Latin in Leipzig, just after securing their World Championship title, and the recent birth of their child, their demonstration brought invaluable practical insight to the analytical framework discussed during the lecture.
“I especially want to thank Marius and Khrystyna for assisting me with this lecture on a very short notice. They both are fantastic dancers and very professional. It is always an absolute joy to collaborate with them. Although they have retired from their competitive career and Kristina just became a mom, it is truly amazing that three months later she is already in such incredible form and able to perform at this level.”, said DeGrande on her admiration for the iconic pair.
WDSF extends its warmest congratulations to Marius and Khrystyna on the new addition to their family and celebrates their continued dedication to DanceSport.
Anticipation Builds for the Opening Day and GrandSlam Series
With examinations completed and officials fully prepared, the stage is set for five days of extraordinary competition.
Action on the floor begins tomorrow, Tuesday 11 August, launching an exciting opening schedule. Spectators can look forward to the WDSF Super Grand Prix PD Standard Adult, where fans will enjoy the poise and elegance of top-tier couples including Edgaras Baltaragis and Indre Baltarage and Vadim Shurin and Anastasia Meshkova, along other well known names.
As the week progresses, anticipation will build towards the highly anticipated WDSF GrandSlam Series, the ultimate highlight of the GOC. Featuring world-class contenders in both Standard and Latin disciplines, including star pairs such as Rares Cojoc and Andreea Matei, who compete here in Stuttgart after securing the previous two GrandSlam stops of 2026, Blackpool and Nanjing, Yuan Shaoyang and Qi Chongxuan, Yan Bangbang and Du Yujun, Alexandru Miculescu and Andra Pacurar, and Konstantin Gorodilov and Polina Figurenko, the competition promises world-class performances from start to finish.
DanceSport enthusiasts worldwide are invited to follow the action live throughout the week via the official WDSF website livestream and stay updated across all official WDSF social media platforms.
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