Strength, Elegance and Passion: Highlights from DanceSport in Zlatibor, Kaunas and Alicante

The weekend of 4–5 October 2025 brought together the finest of European DanceSport across Zlatibor, Kaunas, and Alicante, showcasing talent, dedication, and the unifying spirit of the sport. From the historic debut of the WDSF Balkan Championship in Serbia to the vibrant Autumn Cup in Lithuania and the spectacular Dance Festival in Spain, dancers, coaches, judges, and spectators alike celebrated excellence, cultural exchange, and the passion that drives the DanceSport community forward. Across all three events, high-calibre performances, spirited competition, and a shared commitment to growth and collaboration highlighted the continued prominence and inspiring impact of DanceSport in Europe.

Balkan Championship 2025 Shines in Zlatibor

Zlatibor, Serbia – 4 October 2025 – On 4^th  October, the picturesque Turisticko rekreativni kompleks Zlatibor (TRK Zlatibor) hosted the first-ever WDSF Balkan Championship for individual disciplines, organised by Ivan Mileusnić of the "Dare to Dance" club, with the institutional support of the DanceSport Federation of Serbia, of which he is Vice President, and the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF). The event, held under the auspices of the Serbian Ministry of Sports, gathered dancers, coaches, judges, and spectators to celebrate talent, commitment, and the spirit of regional unity. 

A Celebration of Talent and Participation

Nearly 200 athletes from seven countries – including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Türkiye – competed across multiple categories, highlighting the growing strength of DanceSport in the Balkan region. The event attracted around 500 spectators, all witnessing high-calibre performances across disciplines such as WDSF Open Solo Latin Female Junior I, Juvenile, Adult, Youth, and Junior II. The championship not only offered a competitive platform but also fostered cultural exchange and camaraderie among dancers from across the Balkans. 

Key Results of the Competition

WDSF Open Solo Latin Female Junior I        

1. Ana Kolevska (MKD)
2. Anna Angoura Tomovic (SRB)
3. Hristina Dabizljevic (SRB)

WDSF Open Solo Latin Female Juvenile

1. Sofia Nenova (BUL)
2. Dunya Bandic (BIH)
3. Anastasiia Shuraleva (SRB)

WDSF Balkan Championship Solo Latin Female Youth

1. Chrisanthi Stamatiou (GRE)
2. Ada Belce Tastan (TUR)
3. Mikaela Shoylekova (BUL)

WDSF Balkan Championship Solo Latin Female Junior II

1. Ecrin Ada Demirer (TUR)
2. Beyza Mermutluoglu (TUR)
3. Alya Tanem Ulusoy (TUR)

WDSF Balkan Championship Solo Latin Female Adult

At the inaugural WDSF Balkan Championship in Zlatibor, the Solo Latin Female Adult category showcased exceptional talent. Sashka Koleska from North Macedonia clinched the top spot, demonstrating her prowess with a commanding performance. Ivona Ćurić, representing Bosnia and Herzegovina, secured second place, adding to her impressive record, including a silver medal at the 2023 World Championship in Calvià. Mine Irmak Selek of Turkey completed the podium in third, continuing her strong performances in regional competitions.

1. Sashka Koleska (MKD)
2. Ivona Curic (BIH)
3. Mine Irmak Selek (TUR)
4. Ada Belce Tastan (TUR)
5. Mila Dimovska (MKD)
6. Mela Resic (BIH)

You can check all the competition results here.

Speeches and Messages of Inspiration

Ivan Mileusnić, Vice President of the DanceSport Federation of Serbia and head of the organising committee, opened the championship with heartfelt words:

"It is my great honour and privilege to officially open the very first WDSF Balkan Championship in history… Hosting it in Serbia is both a recognition and a great responsibility – and we are proud to share this historic moment with all of you… May this championship inspire, connect, and create memories that will last a lifetime."

Danijela Karić Mileusnić, President of the Organizing Committee, reflected on the event’s broader significance:

"In these challenging times, we managed to unite the Balkans through art and dance (…) Dance is much more than a movement – it is a way to make the world better." 

Media Attention and Cultural Impact

The event garnered extensive media coverage throughout Serbia, with major outlets such as Informer, Vesti.rs, and Nova Show reporting on the championship before and after the event, highlighting its historical importance and the high standard of competition.  

Looking Ahead

With its successful inaugural edition, the WDSF Balkan Championship 2025 has set a benchmark for future competitions in the region. Beyond the medals and rankings, the event celebrated dedication, talent, and cross-cultural unity, establishing Zlatibor as a new hub for elite Balkan DanceSport and promising even greater participation and performance in the years to come. 

The City of Kaunas Celebrates The 2025 Autumn Cup

Simultaneously, the city of Kaunas, Lithuania, came alive with the excitement of the 2025 Autumn Cup, transforming the Kaunas Sport Hall into a stage of international DanceSport excellence. Across two days, 956 athletes — including 126 in DSE groups and 131 in WDSF events — from nine nations competed with remarkable energy and skill, captivating an audience of approximately 1,100 spectators. The presence of city government representatives underscored the event’s civic significance, while the Public Institution “Sokiu Sportas” ensured seamless organisation and a high standard of competition. The Autumn Cup celebrated not only athletic achievement but also the passion, creativity, and cultural exchange that make DanceSport a truly global spectacle.

Key Results of the First Competition Day, 4^th October

WDSF Open Standard Senior II         

1. Tomas Rimkus - Nerija Surblyte (LTU)
2. Gatis Simsons - Julija Simsone (LAT)
3. Sergejs Latnikovs - Kristine Latnikova (LAT)

WDSF Open Standard Senior III 

1. Hannes Teichmann - Guo Xiaohua Grace (AUT)
2. Holger Staub - Birgit Staub (GER)        
3. Marek Wasilewski - Krystyna Wasilewska (POL)

WDSF Open Standard Senior IV     

1. Leons Zarins - Diana Zarina (LAT)        
2. Henrik Strom - Gitte Fransoe Strom (DEN)      
3. Harijs Zablockis - Nalda Zablocka (LAT)      

WDSF Open Latin Youth    

1. Kristians Kalvans - Dana Lebedeva (LAT)
2. Kajus Astrauskas - Kamile Tkacenko (LTU)      
3. Eimantas Eirosius - Ema Kniubaite (LTU)

WDSF Open Latin Senior II    

1. Sergejs Latnikovs - Kristine Latnikova (LAT)
2. Rafal Tomczak - Barbara Tomczak (POL)
3. Algis Jankauskas - Violeta Jankauskiene (LTU)

You can check all the competition results here.

Highlights from the Second Competition Day, 5^th October

WDSF Open Standard Youth

1. Kristians Kalvans - Dana Lebedeva (LAT)
2. Karolis Lynikas - Evita Ivanauskaite (LTU)
3. Mykolas Inta - Fausta Rupsyte (LTU)

WDSF Open Solo Latin Female Junior II

1. Ana Guste Jelinskyte (LTU)
2. Karolina Kazukauskaite (LTU)
3. Milena Vaitkute (LTU)

All the competition results available here.

Alicante Shines With The 2025 Dance Festival

Rounding off the weekend of international DanceSport, Alicante, Spain, played host to a spectacular showcase at VB Spaces Alicante. The competition brought together 800 athletes from 20 countries, delivering an impressive display of skill and artistry that thrilled approximately 2,000 spectators. The presence of the Sports Councillor of the Alicante City Council highlighted the event’s importance on both a civic and sporting level. With seamless organisation and high-level performances, the Alicante competition provided a fitting finale to a weekend that celebrated dedication, cultural exchange, and the unifying spirit of DanceSport across Europe.

Key Results of the Competition, 4^th October

WDSF Open Standard Rising Stars

1. Apostu Teodor Paul - Alina Siarmiazhka (ESP)
2. Sergio Diaz Sorroche - Veronika Litvinova (ESP)          
3. Guillem Bertomeu Roca - Laia Talarn Subirats (ESP)

WDSF Open Solo Latin Female Adult

1. Sofia Calabrese (ITA)  
2. Francesca Moi (ITA)    
3. Lika Burjanadze (GEO)

Between the categories of the day, we can also find:

• WDSF Open Standard Senior IV        
• WDSF Open Latin Youth        
• WDSF Open Latin Senior III  
• WDSF Open Solo Latin Female Youth           
• WDSF Open Solo Latin Female Junior II       
• WDSF Open Solo Latin Female Senior I

You can check all the results of the day here. 

Results from the Second Day of Competition, 5^th October

WDSF Open Solo Latin Male Adult           

1. Josu Cruz (ESP)         
2. Francesco Erroi (ITA)
3. Eric Osorio Mateu (ESP)

WDSF European Championship Latin Senior III

1. Manuel Ramirez - Julia Lopez (ESP)
2. Frantisek Beres - Miriam Beresova (SVK)  
3. Petri Jarvinen - Ulla Jarvinen (FIN)

Between the categories of the day, we can also find:

• WDSF Open Solo Standard Female Adult
• WDSF Open Standard Youth         
• WDSF Open Standard Senior III  
• WDSF Open Solo Standard Female Youth         
• WDSF Open Solo Standard Female Junior II     
• WDSF Open Solo Standard Female Senior I     
• WDSF Open Latin Rising Stars     

You can check all the results of the day here. 

A Weekend to Remember

Across Zlatibor, Kaunas, and Alicante, the 2025 competitions underscored the growing prominence of DanceSport in Europe. From the Balkan Championship’s historic debut to the vibrant Autumn Cup in Lithuania and the Dance Festival in Spain, the weekend celebrated not only competitive excellence but also cultural unity, youth development, and the passion that drives dancers to excel on the international stage. These events reaffirmed that DanceSport continues to inspire, connect, and elevate communities across the continent. 

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Published on 7 October 2025