Internazionali di Roma: A Week of Congresses, Education and World-Class Competition
A Door Opens to a new chapter in DanceSport History
Rome, Italy - 01 October 2025 - The Internazionali di Danza Sportiva officially opened its programme today with an institutional prologue dedicated to education and safeguarding. Judges, officials and experts gathered at the Giulio Onesti Olympic Training Centre in Rome for the WDSF AJS24 Methods of Judging and Assessment Course, marking the start of a week that blends competition, innovation and professional development. This institutional opening sets the stage for the sporting programme that will follow from 3 to 5 October at the Palazzetto dello Sport (PalaTiziano), where more than 1,700 athletes representing 47 nations will compete across a wide range of events, including the GrandSlam Standard and Latin, the European Ten Dance Adult Championship, the European PD Latin Adult Championship, and multiple WDSF Open categories.
Institutional Prologue: Judge Training and Safeguarding Congress
In parallel with the sporting competitions, the event has opened with an institutional prologue: a training course organised by WDSF and FIDESM, the WDSF AJS24 Methods of Judging and Assessment course for competition officials. Approximately 30 participants attended the first day at the Giulio Onesti Olympic Training Centre in Acqua Acetosa, with activities supervised by: Nenad Jeftic, WDSF Vice President; Sergey Nifontov, WDSF Secretary General; Valeri Ivanov, WDSF Head of Education and Gianluca De Dominicis, Secretary, FIDESM Technical Department.
The technical lectures were delivered by esteemed Italian coaches Laura Ullio and Alessandro Firmo. The day concluded with the examination for the issuance of new judge licences.
The second day of training, on 2nd October, will welcome over 70 international participants for licence renewals, and the programme continues on 6th October with the training of international competition directors.
Guiding words
Shawn Tay, WDSF President stated:
“I am pleased to be in Rome for this important week of Italian DanceSport, which will be remembered not only for the competitions but also for the strong academic and institutional support behind them. The congress and training sessions held here provide a solid foundation for the professional development of our adjudicators and officials, ensuring that DanceSport continues to grow with excellence and integrity worldwide. This combination of world-class competition and high-level education reflects the true strength and unity of our community.”
Laura Lunetta, President of FIDESM, regarding judge training:
“This congress represents a fundamental step in a high-level training and professional pathway, dedicated to WDSF-licensed judges to constantly improve their evaluation standards. Over these two days, participants will follow an intensive programme of lectures: during the first, updates on judging criteria will be provided; tomorrow’s session will present the features of the new AJS – Absolute Judging System – and conclude with the final examination. (…) We are about to launch an incredible event of international importance, in a symbolic venue for Italian sport, which will become a stage for world dance and the beating heart of our wonderful sport.”
Luciano Buonfiglio, CONI President, on the professionalism the sportive world requires:
“The sporting world needs professionalism: we have always had passion, and competence as well, but we must also be represented in all international bodies. Rome is a proven and trained stage to host all kinds of events. The sporting world is successful on all fronts, both in winning medals and in organizing events. Winning is beautiful; continuing to do so is difficult. Together, in synergy, we must work to ensure that international bodies are satisfied with our work, building credibility and reliability.”
Looking Ahead: Competitions in Full Swing
After the prologue of judge training and examinations, the competitions will take centre stage — making Rome the beating heart of DanceSport for an unforgettable weekend that combines athletic brilliance, institutional strength, and the passion of a global community.
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