Rome Closes the Internazionali di Danza Sportiva with its Final Day of Competitions

5 October 2025 – Rome, Italy – The final day of the Internazionali di Danza Sportiva brought an atmosphere of celebration and anticipation to the Palazzetto dello Sport. As the curtains closed on three vibrant days of performances, emotions ran high among dancers, judges, and spectators alike. The city of Rome, which had pulsed to the rhythm of DanceSport all weekend, prepared to bid farewell to its first-ever edition of the international event.

The phenomenon of DanceSport. These were the remarks of the Italian Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi, who arrived at the Palazzetto dello Sport just before the ceremony that took place the last day of the first edition of the Internazionali di Danza Sportiva, while Latin dance stars performed on stage:

“A social and cultural phenomenon, but today also a fully-fledged sport. (…) Rome has been the center of the world for all DanceSport enthusiasts. From our side, we are committed to supporting the growth of this event in the coming years, confident it will become increasingly significant.”

Results and Performances of the Day, 5^th October

WDSF Open Standard Youth

1. Adria Hernandez – Emilija Ulcinaite (ESP)
2. Tymon Olejarz – Wiktoria Kurda (POL)
3. Berbece Patrick – Andreea Sturzinschi (ROU)

WDSF Open Standard Junior II

1. Adnagy-Danilov Sasa – Cocic Roberta–Andreea (ROU)
2. Krzysztof Szostak – Alicja Czopek (POL)
3. Yan Zixuan – Luo Zhiran (CHN)

WDSF Open Standard Rising Stars

1. Andrea Deleidi – Sara Iuri (ITA)
2. Sun Yulong – Li Jinming (CHN)
3. Artur Vlasenko – Ivelina Karcheva (BUL)

WDSF Open Latin Junior II

1. Ronald Kogan – Alina Potapova (EST)
2. Massimo Menghinelli – Varvara Hrushanina (ITA)
3. Largo Zofcin – Eliana Pfaffenroth (GER)

WDSF Open Latin Under 21

1. Nicholas Spica – Carlotta Aceti (ITA)
2. Wang Kewei – Zhao Yiyi (CHN)
3. Antonio Stillante – Iana Moiseenko (ITA)

Among the highlights of the day we can find the WDSF GrandSlam Adult – Latin and the World Open PD Standard Adult:

WDSF GrandSlam Adult – Latin

The WDSF GrandSlam Adult – Latin final delivered one of the most electrifying moments of the entire competition, showcasing the very essence of DanceSport. Standing at the summit of the podium were Charles-Guillaume Schmitt and Elena Salikhova, whose performance was nothing short of magnetic — a perfect balance of precision and fire that left the crowd breathless. Already recognized among the world’s elite, the French duo reassured their dominance this season after recent triumphs in all GrandSlam stages this year in Stuttgart, Wuxi and Blackpool, where they brought home the Gold Medal. With their signature blend of elegance and fierce connection, Schmitt and Salikhova now look ahead to the World Championship in Brno, where they are expected to battle once again for the crown in a few weeks.

Right behind them, Ionuț Alexandru Miculescu and Andra Pacurar continued their ascent with a display of maturity, chemistry, and unshakable rhythm. Their silver performance was the result of years of steady growth on the international circuit, marked by podium finishes at major WDSF events across Europe and a reputation for technical brilliance matched with emotional intensity that led them to the gold in the International Open of Bremen and Piatra Neamt, earlier this year. Their road now leads to the upcoming World Championship in Brno, where they will face the French pair Schmitt – Salikhova once again, and the return of Guillem Pascual – Diandra-Aniela Illes after the injury she suffered during the GOC 2025.

Completing the podium, Malthe Brinch Rohde and Sandra Sørensen brought the house down with their explosive energy and flawless synchronization — a performance that embodied the spirit of Latin dance. The Danish pair, consistent finalists and champions in the Scandinavian circuit, have been steadily climbing the global ranks as the took home gold in more than two occasions in 2025, as we can see in their victories in the World Open (new series) in Wuppertal and Bangkok. Their bronze in Rome cements them as one of the most exciting couples to watch heading into the upcoming competitions set in the calendar.

Finalist’s positions here:

1. Charles-Guillaume Schmitt – Elena Salikhova (FRA)
2. Ionut Alexandru Miculescu – Andra Pacurar (ROU)
3. Malthe Brinch Rohde – Sandra Sorensen (DEN)
4. Konstantin Gorodilov - Polina Figurenko (EST)
5. Jakub Lipowski - Tereza Kucerova (CZE)    
6. Eric Testa - Federica Brezzo (ITA)

WDSF World Open PD Standard Adult

This podium in the WDSF World Open PD Adult – Standard reflects the technical excellence and consistent rise of couples who have firmly established themselves on the international circuit. Taking first place were Alexey Glukhov and Anastasia Glazunova, that currently hold a top position in the PD Standard ranking, with recent victories at the Super Grand Prix PD Standard in Stuttgart, as well as a World Championship title in PD Standard won in Tokyo earlier this year — achievements that confirm their status into the professional tier.

In second place came Vadim Shurin – Anastasia Meshkova, a pair known for their consistency and competitive experience within the European professional circuit. They have already earned continental titles and are regular finalists at PD Standard tournaments, as seen in their silver medal performance this year in Stuttgart, just behind Glukhov and Glazunova.

On the third sport we find the lithuanian Edgaras Baltaragis – Indre Baltarage, a couple with a strong presence on the PD Standard scene who have been frequent World and European medalists. Their technical stability keeps them among the regular finalists in top-tier events, as confirmed by their gold results earlier this year in Wuxi and Blackpool. This podium highlights the growing strength and competitiveness of the PD Standard division.

The Italian couples, Matteo Del Gaone and Ekaterina Utkina and Alessio Disca and Luisa Celeste Cardillo, were undoubtedly among the emotional highlights of the WDSF World Open PD Standard Adult final in Rome. Dancing on home soil, they had the full force of the crowd behind them — a passionate audience that filled the venue with chants, flags, and applause at every turn.

You can see finalist’s positions here:

1. Alexey Glukhov – Anastasia Glazunova (MDA)
2. Vadim Shurin – Anastasia Meshkova (LAT)
3. Edgaras Baltaragis – Indre Baltarage (LTU)
4. Dusan Grula - Giada Cragnolini (SVK)        
5. Matteo Del Gaone - Ekaterina Utkina (ITA)
6. Alessio Disca - Luisa Celeste Cardillo (ITA)

Don´t miss full Sunday results here.

A Weekend To Remember

Thus, the curtain came down on the inaugural edition of the Internationali di Danza Sportiva in Rome— three unforgettable days filled with dance, music, and color that lit up the floor and stands of the Palazzetto dello Sport. Three days of emotion and soul that embodied two European titles, two GrandSlam events and dozens of additional international contests among junior, youth, senior, and rising star categories. Although this first edition has now concluded, the organization is already looking toward the next one — set to return next year — with ambitions of rapid expansion. WDSF President Shawn Tay said:

"It has been a privilege to witness DanceSport making history in such a historic capital. Rome has embraced our sport with extraordinary warmth and passion, and I am confident that it will continue to be a stage where DanceSport writes new chapters of its story in the years to come.“

Support from the Leaders

Among the most noteworthy moments of the three days were the appearances of leading figures from Italian sport, who came to the venue to demonstrate their support for the country’s growing sport dance movement.

Minister Andrea Abodi attended the final night, joined by former Comitato Olimpico Nazionale Italiano (CONI) President Mario Pescante, during the final rounds of the WDSF GrandSlam Latin, and the current CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio. Words of appreciation and esteem also came from Giovanni Malagò, President of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Foundation:

“Sport dance is a bet that has been won, especially by those who have always believed in it, against every prejudice.”

The WDSF wishes to express its deep appreciation to BD Dance, Official Sponsor of the WDSF GrandSlam Series, for its steadfast support and dedication to advancing DanceSport on a global scale. Special thanks are also extended to the Olympic Channel for its exceptional live coverage, which brought the world’s finest DanceSport athletes to audiences everywhere. For anyone who missed the live action, the Olympic Channel now offers full replays, capturing once more the elegance, precision, and passion that illuminated the dance floor in the City of Seven Hills.

For three days, Rome truly became the world capital of DanceSport, welcoming the discipline’s finest athletes and showcasing the excellence, artistry, and unity that define the WDSF family. The Internazionali di Danza Sportiva has set a new milestone in our calendar — an event that reflects the growing strength of DanceSport worldwide and reinforces Italy’s role as one of its most vibrant homes. The 2025 WDSF GrandSlam series will now continue toward its final stop in Shanghai, where the world’s top couples will gather once more to conclude an unforgettable year of competition.

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Photos by: Azzurra Balistreri and Matteo Marchi

Published on 6 October 2025