Tension, Talent, Triumph: Highlights From 2025 London Open
London, United Kingdom – 28 September 2025 – The historic Porchester Hall, a 1920s Art Deco masterpiece in the heart of central London, became a theatre of high-stakes competition as the 2025 London Open took centre stage.
Every step, turn, and lift was charged with intensity, precision, and sheer presence, as dancers from across the globe showcased not only technical prowess but daring creativity and expressive flair. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation, and the hall itself seemed to pulse with every heartbeat of the performance.
International Excellence in Motion
A total of 163 athletes representing 25 countries took part over the weekend on the competition, confirming the event´s growing reputation as a premier fixture within the DanceSport global circuit. Participating nations included Austria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, People’s Republic of China, Spain, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The London Open 2025 drew an enthusiastic audience of around 630 spectators over the course of the weekend, who witnessed the full spectrum of competition across Standard, Latin, Jazz, Show and Stage Dance disciplines. From the opening rounds to the gala and final performances, the hall was alive with anticipation, energy, and applause, creating an electric atmosphere where the precision and discipline of elite athletes met the flair and spectacle of world-class DanceSport.
Key Results of the Weekend
WDSF Open Standard Adult
In the WDSF Open Standard Adult category the top positions showcased a blend of experience, emerging talent, and consistent European excellence. Adam Leacy and Claire Ryan claimed first place. They have steadily climbed the rankings with notable performances including a top-ten finish at the Open Standard Adult held last year in London. Second place went to Germany’s Tobias and Angi Solymosi, a seasoned pair with several victories in Senior I competitions across Europe, including Kaunas and Antwerp earlier in 2025, and strong prospects for the upcoming World Championship in Platja d’Aro. The third podium position was secured by the young Romanian duo Tomas Rodrigo Surduc and Elisa Cucosel, who, despite their youth, have impressed in Youth and Rising Stars events, signalling a bright future for their careers. Following them, Matej Kutalek and Anna Konecna from the Czech Republic delivered a solid performance to finish fourth, while compatriots Jakub Stetina and Veronika Kockova rounded out the top five, confirming the Czech Republic’s strong presence in the Standard discipline.
The WDSF Open Latin Adult podium reflected a combination of international experience and emerging talent. Ariel Zaidman and Mihaela Antonova claimed first place, consolidating their reputation as a leading pair in the Latin circuit, with Ariel having competed internationally since 2014 and Mihaela complementing his experience with dynamic performances that consistently impress judges. Second place went to the Czech duo Pavel Skalický and Štěpánka Dunajová, who have achieved notable results across European competitions including high placements in the Open Latin Senior II category in Kaunas and Antwerp earlier in 2025. The Ukrainian couple Vadym Shvydanenko and Anna Pysmenna claimed third, having previously excelled in the WDSF Open Latin Youth and Rising Stars events, showcasing both technical skill and expressive flair. Close behind, Andrei Mureșan and Renata Iris Buchman of Romania finished fourth, and fellow Romanians Horia Iordache and Andra-Nicoleta Gheorghita came fifth, both pairs demonstrating strong competitive consistency at the international level. Rounding out the top six were the Dutch couple Yung Gwan Michael Alexander Han and Daniele Salaseviciute, whose growing presence in European competitions signals a promising trajectory in Adult Latin events.
WDSF World Championship PD Show Dance Standard Adult
In the WDSF World Championship PD Show Dance Standard Adult the podium showcased a blend of seasoned experience and emerging talent. Sean Smullen and Aimie Leak clinched first place, building on their previous successes and solidifying their reputation in the professional dance community. Second place was secured by the Icelandic duo Nicolo Barbizi and Sara Ros Jakobsdottir, who have demonstrated remarkable skill and artistry in their performances. Their dedication to the craft has earned them recognition on the international stage. The Austrian couple Vaclav Malek and Catharina Malek claimed third, continuing their legacy of excellence in dance. Close behind, Nikita Anikeev and Elina Kokotova, who competed as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN), finished fourth. Yury Lioli and Oxana Lioli, also competing as AIN, secured fifth place, while Hungary's Ronyai Zoltan and Busa Dora rounded out the top six, each pair demonstrating technical skill and artistic expression in their performances.
The London Open 2025 featured an extensive programme encompassing all major WDSF disciplines – Standard, Latin, Jazz Dance and Show Dance – with events for couples, solo competitors, duos and teams across multiple age categories. The weekend included:
WDSF Open Standard Youth, Senior I, Senior II and Senior III
WDSF Open Solo Standard Female Adult, Youth, Junior I and Junior II
WDSF Open Latin Youth and Junior II
WDSF Open Solo Latin Female Adult, Youth, Junior II, Junior II and Juvenile II
WDSF Open Jazz Dance Small Team Juvenile, Junior and Adult, Duo Adult, Solo Female Junior II, Duo Junior II, Solo Female Juvenile II and Duo Juvenile II
WDSF Open Show Dance Small Team Juvenile and Junior, Solo Female Adult, Duo Adult, Solo Female Junior II, Duo Junior II, Solo Female Juvenile II and Dance Duo Juvenile II
This breadth of competition provided a platform for emerging talents as well as established athletes, showcasing the technical and artistic diversity that defines modern DanceSport.
Distinguished guests and government representatives attended the event, highlighting its significance across both sporting and cultural arenas, and praising the shows for their exceptional calibre and remarkable precision, a sentiment widely shared by participants and spectators alike.
With its seamless organisation, truly international field of competitors, and electrifying performances, the 2025 London Open has further cemented its reputation as a cornerstone of the global DanceSport calendar. Beyond the competition itself, the weekend celebrated dedication, technical mastery, and cross-cultural collaboration — values that lie at the very core of DanceSport.
WDSF President Shawn Tay stated:
“It’s inspiring to see so many different DanceSport disciplines brought together under one roof. Events like this are essential to the growth of DanceSport — they showcase the creativity, athleticism, and inclusivity that make our sport so dynamic. Bringing all these disciplines together not only celebrates our diversity, but also helps drive the development of DanceSport worldwide.”
Looking ahead
Following the success of the London Open 2025, attention now turns to the 2025 Brno Open, which will host the World Championship: Adult Show Dance Standard on 18 October 2025 in Brno, Czech Republic.
The event is expected to gather many of the world’s top Standard dancers once again, including several finalists from London. With its reputation for precise organisation and a vibrant audience, Brno promises to continue the season’s momentum, offering another showcase of athletic artistry and technical mastery on the global DanceSport stage.
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