Passion Becomes Legacy: Leipzig´s WDSF World Championship PD Latin
A Stage of Glamour at Leipziger Messe
Leipzig, Germany, 18 October 2025 – Yesterday Leipzig became the world’s epicentre of DanceSport. The PD Latin World Championship brought together the finest couples in the sold out Lepiziger Messehalle, a venue that pulsed with every step, turn, and cheer from the audience.
The evening was defined by emotion, elegance, and world-class style, with the pure love for dance radiating from every corner of the hall. It was far from an ordinary day: for all attendees, this was the final competition of Marius-Andrei Balan and Khrystyna Moshenska. Excitement to witness their performance one last time mingled with the bittersweet feeling of knowing that a historic chapter in Latin DanceSport was coming to a close.
Highlights of the Competition
A total of 21 couples competed for the world title, showcasing precision, expression, and dedication. After four thrilling rounds, two German couples — Marius-Andrei Balan and Khrystyna Moshenska and Vinzenz Doerlitz and Albena Daskalova — made it to the Final Round, much to the delight of the home crowd, with Marius and Khrystyna standing out as clear favourites for the title.
The final of the WDSF World Championship PD Latin Adult was a true celebration of talent, emotion, and professional dance excellence, with six outstanding couples delivering an unforgettable spectacle, followed by deeply moving moments that all the fortunate attendees will remember forever.
Marius-Andrei Balan and Khrystyna Moshenska (GER), 4-times World Champions and winners of the 2025 The World Games, once again proved why they are legends of Latin DanceSport: with flawless technique, refined elegance, natural charisma, and a deep artistic connection that culminated in a farewell as moving as it was triumphant, marking the end of a remarkable career.
In second place, Li Mingxuan and Zhou Wanting (CHN) confirmed their status on the top of the Professional DanceSport, following recent top results in Sitges and Blackpool, combining precision, energy, and freshness with impressive stage presence.
Taking third place, Egor Petrov and Daria Petrova (AIN) made a triumphant return to the WDSF stage, following their recent silver spot in Rome, bringing strength, charisma, and passion to the floor, and firmly securing their position among the world’s elite — fans can look forward to an exclusive interview with them soon on the WDSF website.
In fourth positions, Li Jiaming and Li Yitong (CHN) showcased the growing excellence of Chinese Latin dance with refined musicality and technical precision, while Nikita Bazev and Hanna Run Bazev (ISL), in fifth, impressed with their wholehearted commitment, artistry, and fearless spirit against world-class competition. Completing the final, Vinzenz Doerlitz and Albena Daskalova (GER) delivered a joyful and expressive performance, winning over the audience with their warmth and freedom of movement.
Altogether, the Leipzig final was a vivid portrait of what makes professional Latin dance so compelling — stories felt in every movement, emotion resonating with each step, and a technique so pure and refined that it seemed effortless, all coming together in one unforgettable night.
- Marius-Andrei Balan - Khrystyna Moshenska (GER)
- Li Mingxuan - Zhou Wanting (CHN)
- Egor Petrov - Daria Petrova (AIN)
- Li Jiaming - Li Yitong (CHN)
- Nikita Bazev - Hanna Run Bazev (ISL)
- Vinzenz Doerlitz - Albena Daskalova (GER)
The Emotional Farewell of Marius-Andrei Balan and Khrystyna Moshenska
The final of the WDSF World Championship PD Latin Adult featured six outstanding couples delivering an unforgettable spectacle. Every time Marius-Andrei Balan and Khrystyna Moshenska stepped onto the floor, they captivated both the Leipzig audience and viewers watching the live broadcast. Their performances were marked by flawless technique, elegance, and a deep artistic connection.
As the evening progressed, the time arrived for a historic and deeply moving moment: the farewell of Marius and Khrystyna. Their final dance was a poignant farewell, filled with emotion, passion, and recognition. After the final Jive in the Grand Final, all the remaining couples gathered on the dance floor to offer a heartfelt round of applause and embraces, celebrating an extraordinary career, culminating in a beautiful hug between Marius and Khrystyna.
One of the most touching moments was the tribute to Franco Formica, 3 times World Latin Champion, their mentor, who watched them retire in the same city where he himself said goodbye to his professional DanceSport career in October 2004. As the couple said in their speech:
“An idol, trainer, mentor, coach, uncle, and above all, friend”.
The couple performed their iconic show once more — the same one they presented at the GOC — and the audience went absolutely wild. During the final Rumba, a chair was placed on the dance floor specifically for Franco, allowing him to watch the performance up close. The audience responded with standing ovations, moved by the moment.
A Night Filled with Emotion and Grace
The championship stood out not only for the technical excellence of the competitors but also for the emotional depth and humanity evident in every performance. From pre-event dance school shows to heartfelt farewells, Leipzig hosted an evening unforgettable for its dance, emotion, and sense of community. Shawn Tay, President of the WDSF expressed:
“This championship has been a spectacular celebration of DanceSport. From the thrilling performances to witnessing this closing chapter of Marius and Khrystyna’s career, their legacy inspires not only the next generation of dancers but everyone who cherishes this art. Leipzig will long remember this remarkable night.”
The WDSF World Championship PD Latin Adult 2025 will be remembered as an event where skill and heart met on the dance floor, leaving lasting impressions on competitors and spectators alike. Fans can also look forward to an exclusive interview with Marius-Andrei Balan and Khrystyna Moshenska, coming soon through the official WDSF channels.
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