World Amateur Latin Championships 2005
Report by Michael Chapman
With a packed stadium full of cheering fans, Czechs proved that they love dancing. Eight thousand enthusiastic spectators were on hand to witness the finals of the World Amateur Latin Championships on Saturday night, October 8, in Ostrava, a small mining city in the Czech Republic. The competition was held at the Cez Stadium where the dance floor was laid down over an ice-hockey rink. It may sound a little dodgy, but the competition was well organized and well staffed; the atmosphere was electric with great lighting and a lively crowd. What more could you ask for?
This was the first time the Czech Republic has hosted a World Latin Amateur Championship and, as I have been to other world championships, I must say this was one of the most organized and exciting events I have ever attended.
Heinz Spaeker from Germany did a superb job as chairman of this prestigious competition organizing the daytime and evening panels and, also on Sunday, organizing the IDSF Grand Slam Latin and Ballroom event.
Across the street was the convenient and comfortable Hotel Atom where competitors and officials stayed. There, the food was exceptional and we had no need to search out other alternatives. From competitors to judges, we were all taken care of very well.
Now to the dancing. It was a great honor to be invited to judge such an important dancing event. With only two of the top couples absent from the final, it was wide open for a new couple to step in and take the title as the 2004 world champions, Germany's Franco Formica and Oksana Nikiforova, from Germany, had dissolved their partnership.
An exciting addition to the evening was the introduction of the top six couples as they rode in on Harley Davidsons.
On the World Amateur Latin judging panel were:
- Michael Chapman, USA
- Larisa Dogaeva, Russia
- Nick Fok, Hong Kong
- Carmen Martin de Jorge, Spain
- Kenneth Moelgaard-Pedersen, Denmark
- Marcel Nemecek, Czech Republic
- Goran Nordin, England
- Ernst-Dieter Schoeneberger, Germany
- Claudia Tavalazzi, Italy
On my critique of the couples, I highly respect their dancing and their dedication to their art. In order of placement, here is my commentary on the final couples:
Sixth: Stefano & Analisa Di Filippo, Italy
I'm sure they were very excited to make this final as it was well deserved. They were very well groomed on the night. Stefano exudes confidence and clarity in all of his movements and Analisa approaches her dancing with class.
On a further note, as a judge and coach, I look at couples on an artistic level-at choreography, musicality and technical fundamentals. But there is one level more that makes a champion. The competitor's mind must be so strong to produce the level of dancing required in today's competitions. For further development of this duo, I would like to see that their artistic minds merge together as one, as I do not see the connection between them as a couple: I feel they are communicating only on a physical level, so their dancing lacks the passion they need to compete against the best. Because they are a brother-and-sister team they need to search for artistic components and role-playing that will allow them to connect. With this kind of psychological development, nothing would hold them back. We have had, in the past, very successful brother-and-sister teams who went on to become world champions.
Fifth: Peter Stokkebroe & Kristina Juel, Denmark
I have enjoyed, for a number of years, watching this couple develop and continue to reach their goals. I would have to say they are one of the most inconsistent couples in their placements in international competitions: very close to winning or at the bottom of the final. Being on the floor to judge, I got a clearer look at this couple, which might explain why. On the night, they didn't look like they even broke a sweat.
Peter and Kristina have reached an important stage in their development: they have broken away from doing everything that others told them to do to developing their own personal style. As a result, they have created a package that has great look and a better understanding of their style of dance. Now, they need to quit thinking about results and dance in the moment. In Ostrava, they looked like they were playing it cool and didn't let themselves go. In other words, they might have thought they were dancing to win, but it just looked like they were playing it safe.
Fourth: Maurizio Vescova & Melinda Torokgyorgy, Hungary
Wow! Wow! Wow! What can I say-the boy can dance. He can spin, twirl, do a hundred knee spins and have the audience in the palm of his hand. And possibly, very soon, he can challenge to be our future World Amateur champion. So why were they the audience favorite, yet placed fourth? Maybe you have noticed I have not mentioned his partner as I don't even remember seeing her in the competition-it was all about him. Maurizio is so talented and so gifted, if he could funnel a bit of his artistic expression towards her and bring attention to her, it might look more like a balanced partnership.
I always approached dancing from the view that the girl was a diamond to be showcased to the world: the male is there to bring out the female's beauty, not to eclipse it. In Latin dancing it is important to be charismatic and entertaining, but importantly, it is also about balance and partnership, not a one-sided display of talent. This is something this couple needs to work on.
Third: Eugene Katsevman & Maria Manusova, USA
In a class of their own, Eugene and Maria have strategically and carefully packaged themselves. In this competition, theirs was a perfect partnership made in heaven: a full merging of mind, body, soul and rhythm. They were consistent from beginning to end with Maria wearing a multi-colored fringe dress in the early rounds and changing for the semi and final into a chic black dress that has become her signature. I felt this couple should have placed higher.
On a critical note, one thing that I would like to see is an improved sense of posture for Eugene. There are times where Eugene has fabulous posture, but over an evening, he is inconsistent. He needs to stand like a champion at all times and beware of rounded shoulders.
Second: Klaus Kongsdal & Viktoria Franova, Denmark
They are a beautiful couple with beautiful bodies and spectacular costuming, which Viktoria always flatters with her animalistic grace; you can tell they put a lot of thought and preparation into their image, which I respect.
I feel their nerves took them in the first two rounds-they weren't gelling together as a couple and they were not at their best. Overall, they were too aware of the audience and not dancing enough with each other. As a result, that magnetic element that makes their partnership so strong was missing. At such an important competition, judges look for the best talent, not who draws the loudest cheers from the audience.
First: Riccardo Cocchi and Joanne Wilkinson, Italy
They brought the confidence of being the reigning British and International and UK Amateur Latin champions to the Czech Republic. They radiated an energy that could be seen for miles. Going into the World Championships and being one of the top couples can be nerve wracking and I felt that in the early rounds, Riccardo was a little nervous. But they soon settled into the competition and went full steam ahead. He partners Joanne beautifully, but also has the ability to dance his body 150%, which is not an easy job. To me, Joanne has some of the best legs and feet on the floor, beautiful swivel action, rumba walks, etc.
This couple never looks aggressive or over-produced-everything looks natural and smooth. I wish them continued success in all their future endeavors. To me, they showcase what a Latin American couple should be: interesting, beautiful, rhythmical, subtle yet strong, charismatic, exude positive energy and with great partnering skills. Congratulations to you both, 2005 World Amateur Latin Champions!
I am grateful for the opportunity to judge this event and provide my feedback on the couples. I would also like to congratulate Valentin Chemerchovsky & ??? representing the United States, for making the semi-final. This is a great step forward for them in their career.
Michael Chapman, 2-time World Open Exhibition Champion
Organizer, Millennium Dancesport Championships
Co-Organizer, Florida Superstars, Venice Dance Festival, Italy