DANZ QUARTERLY - Issue No 9: October, November, December 2007
Stars in their Eyes? Record Numbers Compete for National Dancesport Titles
By Brian Jones
Late July saw the New Zealand Amateur and Professional Dancesport Championships held in Christchurch, with a record number of 194 entries competing for the various New Zealand titles in standard (ballroom) and Latin American dance styles. It was estimated that close to 6000 people attended the two day event to watch and support the competitors.
Candy Lane, co-host of the popular award winning TV series Dancing With the Stars, and a former NZ amateur and professional champion was there to watch the event on the Sunday.
Candy said she was impressed by a marked improvement in the standard of dance and the growing number of competitors, but had some reservations about dance etiquette. “We saw some great dancing throughout the evening, but one thing I felt needs to be addressed by some teachers is their pupils’ dance floor etiquette. Part of a competitive couples’ training is being able to avoid colliding with other couples and if necessary lowering the arm line so as not to connect with a fellow competitor. An experienced competitor knows it is not acceptable or clever to maintain the top line at all costs.”
Adjudicator Marie Raiend said, “It was good to see our overseas couples returning, to see their progress, with their presence helping lift the standard of performance over the weekend.”
Marie also felt that some dancers could work on basic principles. “Sadly the bulk of adjudicators must be rewarding flash and dash as we saw finalists who don’t stand straight, have twisted holds, and seemingly have no understanding of positioning the weight over the foot.”
However, there was abundant enthusiasm and energy exhibited by the competitors and everyone seemed impressed with the general high standard of dancing. The growing interest in Dancesport was reflected in a wealth of new competitors coming up in the D and C grades.
Auckland followed by Christchurch appear to be the strongest centres for dancers with Graeme and Michelle Davidson’s couples performing strongly in the ballroom events. Nadia, a teacher also from Auckland had great success with couples in the Latin.
This year Juvenile and Junior events were included at the nationals and although not competing for national titles their enthusiastic performances added to the enjoyment of the occasion. “The juveniles were wonderful to watch,” said Candy.
Jonny Williams who defended his title as Professional Latin Champion said, “I was very proud to see dancers in all grades giving their best to win a New Zealand title.” This was a sentiment also expressed by Kingsley Gainsford who, like all teachers, was pleased with the efforts and successes of his pupils.
Demonstrating this year were the American couple Victor Fung and Anna Mikhed who impressed all I spoke to giving a strong, elegant demonstration of top class ballroom dancing. They hold the title of Universal Professional Standard Champions (2006), were finalists in both the World Standard Championships (2006) and the British Open Standard Championships (2007).
Yoshihiro and Hidemi Yamamoto from Japan who performed at the nationals last year repeated their performance again. Some of their successes have been runners up in the World Showdancing Championship (2004), World Latin Championship finalists (2003), and 3 times All Japan Professional Latin American Champions.
From all reports Maurice Edwards and his team put together a great event. Congratulations to all those who competed with special acknowledgement to the winners.
Results:
Amateur Ballroom Champions 2007 – Tim Mullyanov & Yulia Mullayanova
Amateur Latin American Champions 2007 – Arkady Bakenov & Rosa Filippello
Professional Ballroom Champions 2007 – Richard & Natalie Perry
Professional Latin American Champions 2007 – Jonathan Williams & Helen Candy
Return to Contents page of DANZ QUARTERLY N0 9 October 2007
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