A New Era for the World Rock'n'Roll Confederation: Marina Eskolin Elected President as Miriam Izak Named Honorary President I Interview

The World Rock'n'Roll Confederation (WRRC) has entered an exciting new chapter following its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM). The event was held in Prague, Czech Republic, from 13 to 15 March 2026, gathering delegates from across the globe to elect a new Presidium to lead the organization for the next four years. In a landmark transition, Ms. Marina Eskolin (Finland) was elected as the new President of the WRRC, succeeding Ms. Miriam Kerpan Izak, who was awarded the title of Honorary President in recognition of her outstanding dedication and transformative leadership over the years.

The AGM was also attended by WDSF General Secretary Sergey Nifontov, whose presence underlined the strong and ongoing partnership between the two organizations.

The newly elected WRRC Presidium for the 2026–2030 term brings together a dynamic team of international experts committed to the growth and development of all disciplines under the WRRC umbrella, including both Acrobatic Rock'n'Roll and the Boogie Woogie community:

President: Marina Eskolin (Finland)
VP - Sports: Denis Lilih (Croatia)
VP - Education: Jiří Hais (Czech Republic)
VP - Marketing & Expansion: Patrice De La Torre (France)
VP - Legal Affairs: Leo Beck (Germany)
VP - Finance: Oleksandr Geifman (Ukraine)
VP - Communication: will be confirmed
Athletes Commission: Krzystof Michalski (Poland)

A New Era for the World Rock'n'Roll Confederation: Marina Eskolin Elected President as Miriam Izak Named Honorary President I Interview

Honoring a Legacy of Excellence: A Conversation with Honorary President Miriam Izak

Over her 20-year leadership, Miriam Kerpan Izak guided WRRC through remarkable growth, introducing inclusive disciplines and expanding the federation’s global presence. On the occasion of her transition to Honorary President, she reflected on her journey, the challenges overcome, and her hopes for the future.

A New Era for the World Rock'n'Roll Confederation: Marina Eskolin Elected President as Miriam Izak Named Honorary President I Interview

Looking back at your years of dedication to WRRC, which achievements are you most proud of?

Over the past 20 years, our sport has experienced significant growth. One of the achievements I am most proud of is the introduction of new disciplines that made Rock'n'Roll more inclusive, particularly for female dancers without partners. Today, girls' and ladies' formations represent a strong and wide foundation of our sport.

We also made substantial progress in expanding our international presence and representation within the global multi-sport community. Under the umbrella of World DanceSport Federation, we participated in The World Games 2005, 2009, 2017 and 2022. Competing in events in the United States and China was another major milestone, made possible thanks to the strong support of Mr. Shawn Tay, WDSF President.

The World Cup Final, our flagship event at the end of each season, where the top Rock'n'Roll and Boogie Woogie dancers meet, has become a true highlight of our development.

Finally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we introduced the Online World Cup series. This initiative kept couples and formations motivated, allowing them to continue training and competing by submitting videos that were evaluated during live-streamed events.

You introduced many structural and judging innovations over the years. How do you think these changes shaped the sport?

The most significant changes were related to our scoring systems in both Rock'n'Roll and Boogie Woogie. We transitioned from comparative judging to an absolute marking system with clearly defined criteria, along with a more audience-friendly presentation of results.

This transformation has made expectations much clearer. Athletes now understand what is required to achieve high scores and how to maximize their performance. At the same time, as an artistic sport, it remains a challenge to define all criteria precisely and to evaluate them with complete objectivity.

What were the biggest challenges you faced in growing WRRC internationally, and how were they overcome?

At the end of the previous decade, we had built strong momentum. However, the COVID-19 pandemic brought our progress to a sudden halt. Just as we began to recover, the war in Ukraine created further challenges. Both Russia and Ukraine were among our strongest members, so their absence meant fewer dancers and fewer competitions.

Despite these difficulties, we also found opportunities. We saw increased participation in the Main Class Free Style category, as dancers became more motivated by the possibility of reaching finals or even winning medals at major events.

Another major challenge was financial sustainability. Shortly before the pandemic, we had secured a promising long-term sponsorship agreement, but unfortunately, it could not continue due to the global situation. This remains one of the key challenges for the new leadership.

What advice would you give to Ms. Marina Eskolin as she begins her presidency?

I have known Marina Eskolin for more than 25 years, and we share a similar vision for the future of WRRC. I am confident in her ability to translate this vision into action together with the Presidium.

"Teamwork makes the dream work" is a principle I strongly believe in, and I encourage her to follow it. Building strong cooperation, both within the Presidium and with members, officials, organizers, partners, and the World DanceSport Federation, will be essential.

Equally important is the ability to listen, to understand what truly benefits WRRC as a whole, and to balance this against individual interests.

How do you envision the future of WRRC and Rock'n'Roll in the global DanceSport community?

Expanding into new European countries and other continents must remain a top priority. WDSF can play a key role in supporting this development.

We should also aim to establish one or two regular joint events each year to strengthen the sense of belonging within the global DanceSport community. Events like the World DanceSport Games 2013 demonstrated the power of bringing the entire community together, uniting Rock'n'Roll, Boogie Woogie, and all DanceSport disciplines under one roof, and it would be wonderful to see such an event return in the future.

A Vision for the Future: A Conversation with WRRC President Marina Eskolin

Stepping into the presidency with a clear and ambitious vision, Marina Eskolin shared her thoughts on what this historic moment means to her and how she plans to lead the WRRC into its next chapter.

A New Era for the World Rock'n'Roll Confederation: Marina Eskolin Elected President as Miriam Izak Named Honorary President I Interview

What does your election as WRRC President mean to you, both personally and professionally?

It is both a great honour and a profound responsibility. Personally, it represents the trust of our global community, which I value deeply. Professionally, it is an opportunity to contribute to the continued development and recognition of Rock'n'Roll and Boogie Woogie as a dynamic and modern sports. I see this role as a chance to build on strong foundations while guiding the organization toward a sustainable and innovative future.

Which aspects of Ms. Miriam Kerpan Izak's legacy would you most like to preserve or further develop?

Ms. Miriam Izak has left a strong legacy of stability, international growth, and commitment to excellence. I would especially like to preserve her focus on professionalism within the federation and her dedication to expanding our global reach. At the same time, I aim to build further on this by strengthening innovation, increasing visibility, and creating more opportunities for the next generation of athletes.

What are your immediate priorities for the WRRC and for the international growth of Rock'n'Roll?

My immediate priorities are to strengthen our international presence, enhance the quality and consistency of competitions, and support the development of member countries. We also need to focus on modernizing our communication and digital presence to reach new audiences. Additionally, investing in youth development and education for coaches and judges will be key to ensuring long-term growth.

How do you plan to involve athletes, judges, coaches, and the wider community in the decision-making process?

Open dialogue and transparency will be central to my approach. I plan to create more structured opportunities for feedback, such as forums, surveys, and working groups that include representatives from all stakeholder groups. It is important that decisions reflect the needs and experiences of the entire community, and that everyone feels heard and valued.

How do you envision the collaboration with WDSF evolving during your presidency?

Collaboration with WDSF is essential for the future of our sport. I see this partnership becoming stronger and more strategic, particularly in areas such as event development, visibility, and alignment of standards. By working closely together, we can create more opportunities for athletes and elevate the global profile of dance sports as a whole.

A Renewed Commitment to the Global DanceSport Community

The WDSF warmly congratulates President Ms. Marina Eskolin and the newly elected Presidium on their appointments, and extends its deepest gratitude to Honorary President Ms. Miriam Izak for her remarkable legacy.

“DanceSport thrives when people connect. The close collaboration between WRRC and WDSF is a celebration of talent and a shared vision of shaping the future.” Mr. Shawn Tay, WDSF President

The AGM in Prague not only marked a change in leadership but also reaffirmed WRRC’s commitment to all its disciplines, from Acrobatic Rock'n'Roll to Boogie Woogie. The federation looks forward to growing together within the global DanceSport community.

A New Era for the World Rock'n'Roll Confederation: Marina Eskolin Elected President as Miriam Izak Named Honorary President | Interview