2025 WDSF World Championship Standard: Elegance, Emotion, and Excellence in the Heart of Romania

Sibiu, Romania, 1st November – The city of Sibiu reaffirmed its status as a central hub of international DanceSport. With its cobbled streets, Gothic architecture, and unmistakable Transylvanian charm, this former European Capital of Culture provided the perfect stage for the 10th anniversary of the Transylvanian Grand Prix. The opening day featured intense competition across WDSF World Open Latin Adult, Youth and Junior II Latin, Rising Stars, and the Standard Adult World Championship, with dancers delivering precision, artistry, and dynamic performances that thrilled the audience from start to finish.

The iconic Sala Transilvania was transformed into an arena of splendour. Its sleek black floor, illuminated with red, yellow, and blue accents symbolising Romania’s national identity, set the tone for a weekend of world-class performances. The sold-out event welcomed 2,500 spectators, whose energy created an electrifying atmosphere by the end of the day. Live music from a professional orchestra filled the hall during the evening session, adding depth, grace, and emotion to every routine.

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Highlights and Key Results of the day, 1^st November

Saturday marked the first of two thrilling days of competition. Dancers from 44 countries took to the floor, representing the pinnacle of international talent in the prestigious WDSF World Championships.

A distinguished panel of 120 adjudicators and officials from 34 countries ensured the highest standards of judging and organisation, further elevating the prestige of the event. From the elegance of Standard to the intensity of Latin, each performance reflected not only technical mastery but also the shared love for dance that unites generations and nations alike.

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Between the categories held over the first competition day we can find:

WDSF Open Latin Junior II

In the WDSF Open Latin Junior II category a total of 57 couples competed in a high-energy contest that highlighted precision, creativity, and a remarkable level of technical skill. Emerging victorious were the Chinese pair Qin Haobo and Sun Linxiaoxi, whose fluidity and expressive interpretation of the rhythms set them apart from the start; their consistent results on the international stage had already marked them as serious contenders, and they delivered a performance that balanced sharp technique with musical sensitivity. Close behind, Yasin Saglik and Isabella Crăciunescu from Germany demonstrated strong partnership and dynamic floorcraft, building on a series of successful international appearances in Junior II Latin competitions to claim the silver position. Rounding out the podium, Daniel Martiniuc and Rima Psederschi of Moldova impressed with their poise and carefully executed choreography, showcasing the steady growth that has brought them to prominence in the Junior category. While the podium spots were ultimately decisive, the broader field, including promising Romanian couples Gujba and Mircovici, and Danciu and Dediu, ensured that the first day of Junior II Latin offered a compelling display of emerging talent, tight competition, and moments of unexpected flair.

WDSF Open Latin Youth

The WDSF Open Latin Youth category provided an exciting showcase of emerging talent, with the opening rounds setting a high tempo and the audience at Sala Transilvania clearly invested in every step. The Romanian duo Patrick Berbece and Andreea Sturzinschi delighted the home crowd, using their familiarity with the stage and expressive movement to secure the top position; their growing presence on the international circuit had already marked them as a pair to watch, and their poise and energy in Sibiu confirmed it. Close behind, compatriots Ianis David Trusca and Antonia Zahara Nicoraș delivered a precise and spirited performance, combining technical skill with musicality, earning enthusiastic applause from the crowd eager to see their fellow Romanians excel. Completing the podium, Ricards Andrejs Bolsteins and Madara Klisane from Latvia impressed with clean lines and confident execution, their performance highlighting a steady ascent in international competitions and a clear command of the Latin style. The Open Youth Latin competition provided both home triumphs and international flair, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

WDSF Open Latin Rising Stars

The WDSF Open Latin Rising Stars offered a lively and technically demanding contest, with couples demonstrating both precision and creative flair. The Romanian pair Nicolas-Daniel Barbosu and Iovana Iorgovan claimed the top spot, impressing with their seamless connection and confident interpretation of the rhythms, a result that adds to their growing list of accolades on the international circuit, including strong showings at major European Open competitions as earlier this year in Piatra Neamt. Italian duo Riccardo Pierotti and Tara Por followed closely in second, combining fluid movement with expressive style that has consistently placed them among Italy’s rising Latin talents. In third, Vincenzo Rizzo and Adriana Francesca Comparetto, also from Italy, delivered a polished and energetic performance, demonstrating both technical control and engaging floorcraft that underscores their steady ascent in the Rising Stars category. While the podium reflected the standout achievements of these three pairs, the competition as a whole showcased a range of emerging talent from across Europe and beyond, with the home Romanian couple’s victory providing a particularly satisfying highlight for the local supporters.

WDSF World Open (new series) Latin Adult

The WDSF World Open (New Series) Latin Adult delivered acaptivating showcase of artistry, precision, and passion on the floor. The Romanian duo Ionuț Alexandru Miculescu and Andra Păcurar rose to the top of the podium, much to the delight of the home audience, whose enthusiasm filled the arena throughout their performance. Their victory was a testament to their consistent excellence on the international circuit, with multiple Open titles and a recent second-place finish at GrandSlam Latin Adult in in Rome, highlighting their impressive track record. In second place, Eric Testa and Federica Brezzo of Italy showcased the refined technique and composure that have made them one of Europe’s most respected Latin couples, their fluid movement and stylistic balance earning them deserved admiration. Completing the podium, Daniel Dingis and Alessia-Allegra Gigli of Germany brought a fresh, dynamic approach that earned them well-deserved recognition and confirmed their steady rise among the world’s top couples. The evening at Sala Transilvania left no doubt that Latin dance remains as thrilling as ever, each couple revealing their own story and interpretation with every step.

WDSF World Championship Standard Adult

In the WDSF World Championship Standard Adult category, over 70 couples competed in a display of technical mastery and elegant interpretation. The Romanian duo Rares Cojoc and Andreea Matei cemented their status as the world’s top Standard pair, making 2025 a year to remember. Already victorious at GrandSlam events in Wuxi, Stuttgart, and Rome, and silver medallists at The World Games 2025, they delivered a performance that seemed scripted for a movie: impeccable posture, fluid movement, and perfect timing, all under the gaze of a rapt home crowd. Winning the World Championship title on their home soil was a moment of sheer triumph, blending national pride with personal achievement in a way that left the audience breathless.

In an interview, available on WDSF’s social media channels, Cojoc and Matei could hardly contain their emotions. Smiles, laughter, and tears of joy mingled as they reflected on their incredible year and the overwhelming support from the home audience.

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Close behind, Dariusz Mycka and Madara Freiberga of Poland showcased a polished and harmonious style, with strong hold and musical precision that has consistently placed them among World’s leading Standard couples. In third, the Danish duo Dmitri Kolobov and Signe Busk impressed with both control and charisma, building on a series of successful appearances in World and European Championships to assert their presence on the global stage. While the top three set themselves apart, the competition as a whole highlighted the depth of talent in the Standard field, with several other couples, including fellow Romanians Georgy Kalashnikov and Daria Grigore, delivering memorable performances throughout the rounds and reaching the final.

The final in Sibiu was nothing short of spectacular, the audience was fully engaged, cheering not only for their national representatives but for the outstanding level of every couple on the floor. When you give warmth, you receive it back.

As the final dances came to an end, all couples took a moment to thank the crowd for the incredible atmosphere that surrounded the competition. Then came one of those spontaneous, unforgettable moments that truly define the spirit of DanceSport: a heartwarming scene unfolded as Rares Cojoc and Andreea Mateiswitched partners and danced alongside Dariusz Mycka and Madara Freiberga, to the delight of the audience. Soon after, the rest of the couples joined the celebration, a magical moment that will be remembered as part of this sport’s living history.

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You can check all the results of the day here.

Collaboration and Commitment Behind the Scenes

The event’s success is built on a solid foundation of collaboration and institutional support. Backed by the City Hall of Sibiu, the Sibiu Local and County Council, and the National Agency for Sports of Romania, the Grand Prix stands as a shining example of how passion and partnership can bring excellence to life. The Local Organising committee worked closely with the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) and the Romanian DanceSport Federation (FRDS) to deliver a seamless, inspiring experience for athletes and audiences alike. As Shawn Tay, President of WDSF, noted:

“Events like this showcase the incredible depth of talent and dedication in DanceSport, highlighting not only technical excellence but also the spirit of this sport that unites dancers from around the world."

Looking Ahead

As the curtains close on the first day of competition, the excitement in Sibiu shows no sign of slowing down. Sunday promises even more intensity and spectacle, with the WDSF World Open (New Series) Standard Adult, the WDSF World Championship PD Ten Dance Adult, or WDSF World Championship Latin Junior II ahead, afull day of world-class performances is ensured. Stay tuned, the Transylvanian Grand Prix 2025 has only started, and the best is yet to come.

Spectators around the globe can rewatch the action from the Quarterfinals to the Finals via the Olympic Channel, while DanceSport fans have the opportunity to stream the entire event live on the WDSF website. With so much talent on display, tomorrow is shaping up to be the standout day of the weekend.

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