Legends, Emotions, and Rising Stars: Day 3 of the GOC 2025 in Stuttgart

Stuttgart, Germany – August 21, 2025 – Energy was running high on the third day of the 37th German Open Championships (GOC), as the spotlight shifted from the early rounds of the WDSF GrandSlam Standard Adult to a packed line-up of finals across the Juniors, Seniors, and the Professional Division. Stuttgart, hosting the event for the 20th time, once again reaffirmed its role as the beating heart of DanceSport.

From the youngest athletes in the Solo and Junior categories to the elegance of the Senior divisions and the world-class performances in the PD Super Grand Prix Standard Adult, the day delivered a rich blend of talent and emotion. The Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Liederhalle was filled with applause and excitement, as every round added new stories to the legacy of this iconic festival.

WDSF Open Senior I Standard

Italy’s Stefano and Tatiana Manni delivered an impeccable performance to secure the gold medal, followed by the Netherlands’ Wesley van Riel and Sigrid van Schijndel in second place. Switzerland’s Andrea Bencivenga and Anna Drukarova completed the podium.

Final Rankings

1. Stefano Manni – Tatiana Manni (ITA)
2. Wesley van Riel – Sigrid van Schijndel (NED)
3. Andrea Bencivenga – Anna Drukarova (SUI)
4. Tobias Solymosi – Angi Solymosi (GER)
5. Martin Cech – Katerina Cechova (CZE)
6. Marco Rizzotto – Alina Klonova (LAT)

WDSF Open Junior & Solo Competitions

The young generation once again filled the floor with energy and passion:

• Junior I Solo Standard Male: Tam Aidan (HKG) secured another title, ahead of Parovin Roman (GER) and Lin Cheng-Jyun (CHN).
• Junior II Solo Standard Female: Israel’s Sara Pelekh impressed the judges to take first, with Natalia Simo (ESP) in second and Trinh Lan Anh (VIE) third.
• Junior I Latin: Ukraine’s Danyil Dronyk and Victoriia Melnyk continued their successful run with a well-deserved gold.
• Junior I Solo Latin Male: Hong Kong’s Tam Aidan claimed his second victory of the day, while Germany’s Alexander Arthur Buxel took silver.
• Junior II Solo Latin Female: Italy’s Mariagrazia Manico secured the top spot, with Germany celebrating two medals through Caroline Sophie Overheu and Polina Fast, who finished second and third.

WDSF PD Master Class I Standard

The Professional DanceSport also delivered elegance on the floor, with Joost Findhammer and Sina Sawall (NED) taking the victory ahead of Egor Bezukladnikov and Irene Tzu Ling Lee (USA). Japan’s Yasufumi and Miwa Tsubouchi completed the podium.

WDSF Open Rising Stars Latin

Winning a WDSF Open in Stuttgart during the GOC carries a special weight—it's where rising talent proves it can deliver on one of DanceSport’s most watched stages. In that cauldron, Italy’s Luigi La Rocca and Marika Maria Scerra captured the title, igniting the crowd with their trademark passion. Their celebration told its own story: Luigi raised three fingers to the sky, marking his third Stuttgart triumph—after the viral U21 Latin victory last year and the Youth Latin title in 2022. It was a cathartic moment that fits perfectly into a journey that has already inspired millions online and now adds another unforgettable chapter. Don’t miss out the magical moment!

Germany’s Demid Anisimov and Giuliana Domingues da Silva delivered a brilliant silver on home soil, while China’s Wang Zian and Wei Xiaoqian completed the podium with a composed, high-quality performance.

Final Rankings

1. Luigi La Rocca – Marika Maria Scerra (ITA)
2. Demid Anisimov – Giuliana Domingues da Silva (GER)
3. Wang Zian – Wei Xiaoqian (CHN)
4. Yang Zhen – Zhang Nan (CHN)
5. Kajetan Tygielski – Nicole Menser (POL)
6. Marian Hlavac – Arina Vashchenko (CZE)

WDSF PD Super Grand Prix Standard Adult – The Highlight of the Day

The spotlight was firmly on the PD Super Grand Prix Standard Adult, where the Moldovan stars Alexey Glukhov and Anastasia Glazunova once again asserted their dominance. Just two weeks after celebrating gold at The World Games 2025, the couple returned to the floor in Stuttgart to dazzle both judges and audience with their trademark style and precision.

Latvia’s Vadim Shurin and Anastasia Meshkova earned a strong second place, while Lithuania’s Edgaras Baltaragis and Indre Baltarage completed the podium in third.

After their victory, Alexey and Anastasia shared in an interview with WDSF how special Stuttgart is for them, highlighting the legacy of competitions they have lived together across the city’s three iconic halls. The full interview is now available on WDSF’s official channels.

Final Rankings

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. Jiang Jiying – Zhao Yuye (CHN)
6. Nikita Anikeev – Elina Kokotova (AIN)

Watch the Competition Live

Fans can continue to enjoy the action through the WDSF website, with livestreaming from all three venues of the Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Liederhalle.

Looking ahead to Friday, August 22, the schedule promises a day of unforgettable moments: the WDSF GrandSlam Standard Adult final, broadcast internationally on the Olympic Channel, the GrandSlam Latin preliminary rounds, and the highly anticipated WDSF Open Under 21 Latin.

Message from the President

“Day 3 of the GOC showcased once again why Stuttgart is the home of DanceSport. From young talents to world-class professionals, every competition carried the passion and dedication that define our sport. Tomorrow, as the GrandSlam Standard reaches its climax, the eyes of the world will be on Stuttgart.” – Shawn Tay, WDSF President

Stay Connected

Follow WDSF channels for highlights, exclusive interviews, and behind-the-scenes content from GOC 2025 and beyond:

• Instagram: WDSF DanceSport
• YouTube: DanceSportTotal
• Facebook: WDSF DanceSport
• TikTok: WDSF DanceSport

Published on 21 August 2025