2026 WDSF World Championships Caribbean Dances: Italy and Turkey Shine in Alicante

Marking the beginning of the fall season, Alicante welcomes the 3^rd edition of the Alicante Dance Festival with Caribbean rhythm and world-class DanceSport

Last Friday, 9th of October 2026, the Spanish coastal city of Alicante welcomed the global DanceSport community with the inauguration of the 2026 WDSF World Championships Caribbean Dances, with the 3^rd edition of Alicante Dance Festival, representing the pinnacle of competitive excellence in Latin dance.

Kicking off in style, the first day of competition was filled with joy and energy as the World Championships of Caribbean Dances began at VB Spaces, featuring an unprecedented number of 21 World Championship events.

Alongside the four World Championships contested on the first day of competition, Salsa and Bachata Shine Adult, other Open Salsa and Bachata senior and Juvenile categories also took place.

In the Juvenile divisions, young athletes shone as the Juvenile Salsa and Bachata Shine categories stood out for the strong presence of both boys and girls on the dance floor. With bright costumes and radiating a unique energy, the atmosphere was incomparable, capturing the vibrant and festive spirit of Caribbean Dances.

Italian athletes were a major highlight of the World Championships, with Italy claiming the majority of the titles across both male and female Salsa and Bachata Shine Solo categories.

World Championship Salsa Shine Solo Female Adult:

In the female Salsa Shine Solo World Championship, Sara Sablone (ITA) placed first, followed by Aurora Biscalchin (ITA) in second and Alina Turcan (TUR) in third. This marked the 4^th time Sara Sablone has taken the World Title in Caribbean Dances; her first victory came in November 2024, when she won the Adult Bachata and Salsa Shine in Guadalajara’s World Championships. Following a strong, clean, and emotion-filled performance, she currently stands at the top of the world rankings.

World Championship Salsa Shine Solo Male Adult:

In the Adult Salsa Shine Solo Male category, Italy secured first and second place, with Leonardo Ciaccia and Tommaso Mancini, respectively. This was Leonardo’s first WDSF World Championship for Caribbean, competing with Tommaso, having placed 1^st in December 2025 at the Salsa Shine Adult World Championship in Istanbul. Spain claimed third place with Adrian Oliver Arredondo. Turkey also made its presence felt on the podium, with all Turkish athletes placing fourth, fifth and sixth.

World Championship Bachata Shine Solo Female Adult

In the Bachata Shine Solo Female Adult World Championship Italy positioned itself at the top of the rankings, with five out of seven athletes in the final representing Italy. Aurora Biscalchin (ITA) placed first with an outstanding performance, followed by Sara Sablone (ITA) in second and Alina Turcan (TUR) in third.

World Championship Bachata Shine Solo Male Adult

Within the Adult Bachata Shine Solo Male category, the leaders from the salsa category shone once again with their precision and electrifying performance. Tommaso Mancini (ITA) won, placing first, followed by Adrian Oliver Arredondo (ESP), placing second. With these results, both athletes became double medalists.

Saturday 10^th October, Second Day of Competition

October 10, 2026, opened with the syncopated storytelling of the Solo Youth Female Bachata Shine athletes. For the second day in a row, Italy took the center of the stage, claiming the majority of titles across both male and female divisions of Salsa and Bachata Shine. This marked the third time champion, Alex Palumbo, has won first place at a Salsa Shine World Championship.

The outstanding level displayed by these athletes is a testament to the future of DanceSport, and a celebration of Caribbean Dances that will continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

World Championship Salsa Shine Solo Male Youth:

World Championship Salsa Shine Solo Female Youth:

Italy took four out of six places on the podium: 1^st, 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th place. Turkey took two places: 2^nd and 3^rd.

World Championship Bachata Shine Solo Male Youth:

Italy conquered the podium, with 3 Italian athletes taking first, second, and third place. The champion for the division was Alex Palumbo (ITA), making him the winner of both Salsa Shine and Bachata Shine World Championships. With explosive and energetic performances that electrified the entire arena, Alessio Dalcielo (ITA) placed second and Mario Leon Bulla (ITA) third.

World Championship Bachata Shine Solo Female Youth:

Italy, once again, takes the first three places on the podium, led by the champion Rebecca Caputo (ITA). Brimming with passion and charisma, her routine was a precious emotional delivery that required stamina, control, and precision.

Bringing another day of celebrating Caribbean Dances to a spectacular end, the Award Ceremony was presented by WDSF Secretary General, Sergey Nifontov, and WDSF Vice-President for sports, Nenad Jeftic. This time, the Youth took center stage, proving the passion and power of DanceSport is boundless.

Sunday 11^th October, Third Day of Competition

On Sunday, VB Spaces in Alicante served as the dance floor for 7 WDSF World Championships: Salsa On One Adult, Salsa On Two Adult, Salsa Shine Solo Female Junior II, Salsa Shine Solo Male Junior II, Bachata Adult, Bachata Shine Solo Female Junior II, and Bachata Shine Solo Male Junior II.

Olivia Perez Hernandez (ESP) dominated the Junior II Female division, with double victories in Salsa and Bachata Shine Solo Junior II that solidified her status as a powerhouse and set a new benchmark for DanceSport excellence worldwide.

Italy’s athlete Alex Palumbo, in his second competitive appearance on day three of the championships, delivered a phenomenal run, claiming gold in Salsa Shine Solo Male Junior II and silver in Bachata Shine Solo Male Junior II. You can check all categories and their results here.

Monday 12^th October, last day of competition

The final day of the World Championship was starred by all-female athletes. The day opened with the electrifying performance of the Bachata Shine Female Adult Duo. The Turkish duo Naz Donmez and Gunes Lara Hakanaslan were the champions, followed by the Italian athletes Emma Luchetti and Chiara Chiaraluce. The bronze was for the Spanish athletes Tania Arenal and Ruth Barrio, the first of the three Spanish athlete duos on the podium. You can check the full results of the category here.

Turkey completely dominated the Bachata and Salsa Shine Duo Junior category, with Turkish athletes sweeping the podium and taking the top 3 spots in both events. Ceren Ciritci and Ece Ucar (TUR) were the champions in both duo categories, delivering a performance that blended technique, synchronization, and captivating stage presence, setting them apart throughout the competition. At these World Championships, Turkey set a high standard for international DanceSport excellence. You can check the full results of the category here.

Italy and Spain excelled in the Bachata and Salsa Senior Solo categories. Luana Pellizzaro was a double champion, followed by Francesca Miacola, who won silver twice. Both Italian athletes brought a mature performance to the stage, marked by impeccable emotional control and the poise of seasoned performers. Spanish athlete Yoana Monge secured third place in the Salsa Shine Senior Solo category, and in the Bachata Shine Solo category, Spain also took 3^rd place with athlete Patricia Mendez.

Capping it off with the vibrant energy of Caribbean dances, Naz Donmez and Gunes Lara Hakanaslan stood out in Salsa Shine Female Adult Duo, placing 1^st and securing their second gold as a duo at the championship. Other athletes among the Bachata Shine top 5 also made their mark, including the Romanian pair Erika Novaceanu and Amalia Moldoveanu , as well as Tania Arenal and Ruth Barrio (ESP). Check the full results here.

Closing the unforgettable third edition of the Alicante Dance Festival, the WDSF extends its thanks to Local Organizing Committee, the CBE Fever Dance Alicante, the Spanish DanceSport Federation, and everyone involved in making the event possible. Special thanks to DanceSport athletes all around the globe, who continue to keep the magic and soul of Caribbean Dances alive.