Last Saturday, November 16, the popular international sports dance competition “Salaspils Open 2024” was held for the 12th time at the Salaspils Sports Hall, organized by Valdis Škutāns and Dace Pērkone with many supporters, especially the municipality of Salaspils and the Ministry of Education and Science. Along with the world ranking tournament for all age groups in both ST and LA dance, the main event of the competition was the world championship for the U21 group in the LA dance program, where 64 couples from 29 countries of the world competed.
The main favorites were Luigi Larocca and Marika Scerra, who won silver in 2023 and became European champions in this age group this year. The Italians won all five dances and repeated the 2022 success in the youth group. As in the European Championship, the silver medal went to German dancers Demid Anisimov and Dominguez Da Silva. The third place was won by the Spanish representatives Marks Mateos and the Latvian dancer Marija Golubeva, who just won the ten dances at the U21 world championship.
Two Latvian duets reached the third round, or round of 16, where 37 couples made it. Haralds Baltalksnis/Alice Mashchenko won a shared 27.29th place, ranking just beyond the quarter-final border, while Arca Gurpinars and Darts Kemler finished the championship in 34th place. As a result, Latvia returned to the top thirty after seven years. In 2017, the best result in Latvia was achieved by Maksims Kravchenko/Paula Kukute, who reached the semi-finals and won 10th place.
World and European Championship finalists Dmitrijs Kolobov and Signe Buska from Denmark dominated the adult group in the world ranking competition in Standard Dance (ST). The Lithuanians, who have danced in the semi-finals of the world championship, fought for the second place. The fight was so close that both got the same number of points. However, the second place went to the young duo Marius Ilciukas and Domile Semeskevičutei, who with previous partners have been in the top ten in the world and European championships, while the third place was taken by the 11th pair of this year’s world championship, Simonas Seikauskas/Lucija Norusaite.
The very strong competition in ST dances is shown by the fact that the 15th place winners of the world championship, Iļja Rotara and Silvija Barjabina, had to settle for 4th place, behind whom the best Latvian couple – the 5th place winners of the world championship in 10 dances, Roman Dobretsovs and Violeta Levchenko, were fifth. Last year in Salaspils, Estonian dancers Aleksejs Bessonovs/Sara Barjabina, who became world U21 champions, remained in 10th-11th place, which once again confirms the extremely strong competition.
The Latin American (LA) dances were not without dramatic circumstances. In the first round, the world’s seventh-ranked couple Konstantins Gorodilovs and Polina Figurenko from Estonia demonstrated their superiority, and no one doubted their victory. However, in the second round, after the first dance, Samba’s partner became ill and the overwhelming favorites were forced to retire in the quarter-finals, freeing up the top step of the podium for others. It was used by the world championship quarter-finalists Vincens Torremade/Megija Morīte from Latvia, who left behind another world championship quarter-finalists Tomera Zveniatski/Jelizaveta Pustarnakova.
The trio was completed by the best pair of Lithuania, Einoras Degutis and Ugne Blijute, who were also third in Salaspils in 2022, when Vitalijs Zakharovs/Tabea Luize Thaler from Germany won, who this time took 4th place. As in the ST dances, the fifth place in the LA dances went to Dobretsov/Levchenko, the last two years’ World Championship finalists in 10 dances, demonstrating high versatility for the second year in a row and becoming the only pair to dance in the finals in both dance programs.
How has the inclusion of the U21 World Championship impacted the competitive dance scene?
Interview Between Time.News Editor and Dance Expert
Time.News Editor (TNE): Welcome to our readers! Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with dance expert and coach, Dr. Elena Ivanova, who closely followed the recently concluded “Salaspils Open 2024” dance competition. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Ivanova!
Dr. Elena Ivanova (DEI): Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such an exciting event in the world of sports dance.
TNE: The Salaspils Open has established itself as an important international event. What were your impressions of this year’s competition, especially with the inclusion of the World Championship for the U21 group?
DEI: Absolutely! The Salaspils Open 2024 was not only a celebration of dance but also a fantastic showcase of young talent. The competition brought together 64 couples from 29 countries, which is quite impressive. The atmosphere was electric, especially during the finals of the U21 Latin American dance program.
TNE: Speaking of the U21 category, the Italian duo Luigi Larocca and Marika Scerra absolutely dominated, winning all five dances. What do you think sets them apart from their competitors?
DEI: Their technical skill and performance quality are exceptional. Winning silver in 2023 and becoming European champions this year clearly showcased their talent and hard work. They have a unique ability to interpret the music and connect with the audience, which is crucial in dance competitions. Their success in repeating their past achievements indicates a strong competitive consistency.
TNE: It’s interesting to note how close the competition was for the silver medal. The German duo Demid Anisimov and Dominguez Da Silva managed to take the second place despite the fierce competition. What do you think contributed to their performance?
DEI: The German dancers demonstrated a fantastic synergy and precision in their movements which allowed them to outshine many other couples. In competitive dancing, small details can make a significant difference, and their execution under pressure is commendable. It’s no surprise that they secured the silver medal.
TNE: Latvia had a strong showing this year, particularly with two couples making it to the round of 16. After a seven-year absence from the top thirty, what does this mean for the future of Latvian dance?
DEI: It’s a significant milestone! The achievement by Haralds Baltalksnis and Alice Mashchenko, along with Arca Gurpinars and Darts Kemler, signifies that Latvia is on the rise in the competitive dance scene. This kind of exposure and experience at such a high level of competition is invaluable for their development and for the future landscape of dance in Latvia.
TNE: The Standard Dance competition also had its fair share of drama. What insights can you share about the performances of the adult dancers, particularly Dmitrijs Kolobov and Signe Buska from Denmark?
DEI: Kolobov and Buska’s dominance in the Standard Dance category reflected their experience and technical prowess. Their ability to maintain composure and focus, particularly against a backdrop of strong competition, is a testament to their preparation. The close battle for the second place highlights the depth of talent in Standard dances and reflects that even those from the world championship semi-finals can be pushed to their limits.
TNE: The competition’s intensity in both Standard and Latin American dances seems to point to an overall elevation in the sport. How do you envision the future of competitive dance based on this event?
DEI: The future looks bright! Events like the Salaspils Open not only spotlight emerging talents but also foster a spirit of camaraderie among nations. As the level of global competition rises, we can expect more innovative choreography and diverse styles to emerge, enriching the overall dance culture. This competitive environment will undoubtedly motivate dancers to refine their skills further.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Ivanova, for your invaluable insights into this year’s Salaspils Open! It’s been great to hear your thoughts on the performances and future of competitive dance.
DEI: Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time for the world of dance, and I look forward to seeing how these athletes continue to evolve on the dance floor.