2005 World Standard Professional Championship Report
By Didio Barrera
This year I had the privilege of being selected to adjudicate at the World Standard Professional Championships. I have judged several world championships in the past, and it is always an honor to represent one's country at such an event. But it is particularly thrilling to step as an adjudicator onto the floor of the historic Winter Gardens in Blackpool. Because of the prestige of this competition, the judges received special treatment, even enjoying the use of Princess Diana's suite. Blackpool is steeped in great ballroom dance tradition, and as always the audience in the sold-out ballroom was enthusiastic right from the first round.
The competition was opened by an innovative number choreographed by Goran Nordin and representing the rising generation of Latin-American dancers. The competition commenced with forty-one couples from thirty-one countries exhibiting extraordinary dancing right from the first round. Clearly the energy of this legendary ballroom inspired each of these couples on the floor. The mere fact that these couples were selected to represent their countries attests to their expertise in the fundamentals and high level of performance. However, to be selected to join the semi-final round, one must possess that certain "extra"- interesting individuality, dynamic character, mature development of personal style, consistency of performance, and nerves of steel.
From the semi-finalists, I would like to comment on several couples that particularly impressed me. This first is Brian Eriksen and Marianne Eihilt from Germany- a tall elegant couple that effortlessly flows across the floor. I always enjoy when a gentleman's shoulder line is like Brian's - with no muscle tension whatsoever. This indicates to me that all the body's alignments are in their proper place. The second couple who caught my eye was the Russian champions, Alexei Galchun and Tatiana Demina, A very talented young couple that always come to the floor with great positive energy. I foresee a highly successful future for them - they are only lacking in experience, a problem that will soon be naturally solved with time. Jeffrey Zhi Feng Qi and Ling Hou from China also struck me with their musicality and technical accuracy. But I felt that their quality of dancing from round to round began to suffer because of lack of stamina.
In the final round, three countries were represented by two couples each: England, which has a particularly strong tradition in this style; Italy, which in the past decade has developed their own emotional approach and has produced many top competitors; and the United States of America, emerging as a dominant presence in all top events all over the world.
Sixth place went to Victor Fung and Anna Mikhed from the United States. Congratulations to them on their first appearance in the world final. Victor is a strong-willed, dominant, focused dancer, who is contra-balanced well by Anna's delicacy and femininity. With this softness, Anna gives Victor the chance to dance in the way he wants to express himself. Overall they are a great looking couple with a promising future before them.
Fifth place was awarded to Roberto Villa and Morena Colagreco from Italy. This couple has all necessary attributes to be finalists of a competition of this caliber. They show great sensitivity as a partnership, and their musicality allows them to not only dance through their feet, but their bodies as well. Their performance was well received by the audience and left me with a very favorable impression.
Jonathan Crossley and Lyn Marriner from England received fourth place. They represent a very classy and graceful style of standard dancing. Lyn is a very experienced and excellent lady dancer. I do wish that they would take a few more risks in their dancing. Also Jonathan looks sometimes tense in the upper body as he becomes tired through the competition.
Jonathan Wilkins and Katusha Demidova of the United States finished in third position. They had a great competition from the first to the last round, and I thought it was one of the best times that I have ever seen them dance. Great footwork allows Jonathan to move across the floor with amazing softness, and Katusha's flexibility and her responsiveness allow this couple to create extraordinary lines. Over the past year, they have been criticized in their tango, but at this competition I thought it was their strongest dance. This is obviously one of the world's top couples that always produce a moving performance. Although their results may go up and down, they are clearly a couple who has the qualities of a great champion.
The second place finalists were Timothy Howson and Joanne Bolton from England. They are the embodiment of the ideal standard couple- they constantly radiate a positive attitude and give flawless performances. Their technical skills are incomparable, but I wish to see to more emotional characterization between the different dances. Their style is a bit too saccharine for my taste- if it could be combined with more dramatic elements, their dancing would be more expressive.
Finally, the world title went to Mirko Gozzoli and Alessia Betti of Italy. This couple was worthy of this title going into the competition, yet I felt that they were too reserved, concentrating too hard on giving a perfect performance rather than dancing in the moment and enjoying what they were creating together. During a tango in an earlier round I felt that they released themselves for a change, and it was truly something special to watch. Despite this, they presented a solid, consistent, and well-articulated performance. Thus, the crown has returned to Italy once more. This victory is not only an honor to this couple, but to their country as a whole as recognition of what Italy has contributed to this style of dancing.
In the past we often had couples that dominated the world title for many years. Now we are in a period when many couples have the potential to achieve the highest of honors in dance sport, and it will be interesting to see who will emerge in the near future as the next Irvines, Barrs, or Hiltons. I hope that this opportunity will inspire our top couples to work even harder not only to become champions, but legends.