Dance TV News - Anthony Hurley Reports on The Singapore Open Championships 2025

The 13th Singapore Championships held in the magnificent Suntec International Convention Centre was another successful presentation by organisers John & Josephine Tan.

Held over two days, dancers of all categories were well catered for. from solos in Ballroom and Latin American through to some of the world’s most prolific champions in both styles. This year, for the first time, the American Smooth style was included and proved to be popular with the large and enthusiastic audience. a very large panel of 61 international adjudicators were engaged to seek out the talents and enthusiasm of the competitors, culminating in the major finals on the second evening.

Day one was mostly cantered on the solo events with very young boys and girls from the age of 5, lots of girls but sadly not many boys. At this stage of my report, i must be the devil’s advocate and protest strongly on coaches who obviously teach these beautiful, very young girls in the Latin American to display sexual body language and facial actions. This personally distracts me from the talents that we obviously have in our young ladies.

In the Ballroom style, happily, there were some talented competitors, but upon researching my report from last year, i have to make the same remarks and plead with the coaches/teachers of these boys and girls to teach the correct basics and fundamentals of our competitive styles. Correct footwork and natural posture will in turn produce good and attractive dancers, the very future of competitive dancers and dancing.

Day one had a very varied selection of events, and with recalls, there was a total of 128 events. Also, i hope i will be forgiven for not mentioning all of the competitions.

Day one included both the southeast asian closed amateur and professional events in Latin American and Ballroom, plus the open rising star competitions.

At this stage i must say how much the Asian Pacific area has improved and now includes Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia, who are making their presence felt on the competition floor. They join the likes of Australia, Japan, China, Taiwan, who have long proved themselves on the international arena. I think back to early pioneering days, teaching in these countries, and it is very rewarding to see the improvements and the success they enjoy today. The asian competitors and adjudicators travel the world to compete and officiate. so, it must be very satisfying for them that John & Josephine Tan continue to promote the best in organising a true international event in their own area.

Day two, the premier day of the Championships.

The first of the finals was the Amateur Latin American Closed Asian Pacific.

1st Zhao Jia Wei & Li Qiao from China.

2nd Philipp Kochanov & Anastasia Yilkhovskaya. Hong Kong.

3rd.Senwei Sam & Tiara Kim Zhi Man. Malaysia.

4th.Chung Yat Ho Howard & Jin Jinjin. Hong Kong.

5th. Yi Bowen & Lou Wenjing. China

6th. Hou Yu Chien & Chang Hsiang Ling. Chinese Taipei.

7th. Titanno Bayu Seto Dahono & Ratu Nurchoiriah. Indonesia.

8th. Andrew Restan & Chai Li Wen. Singapore.

An 8 couple final, which compliments my earlier statement of how the Asian Pacific area is improving.

The Ballroom Amateur Closed Asia Pacific.

1st. Jovan tan & Julia Marri Scherer. 12111. Singapore.

2nd. Wu Zhi Ming & Liao Chen Ming.  33222. China.

3rd. Hou Yu Chien & Chang Hsiang Ling. 44333. Chinese Taipei.

4th. Li Jing Shuai & Sun na Chen. 21 (777). China.unfortunately, they had to retire after a promising first two dances. They were given automatic 7th places in the dances they missed.

5th. Daniel Eremeeve & Katya Iomakina. 57544. Singapore.

6th. Ramu Ramos & Lim Jie ying. 75455. philipines.

7th. Chainuwat Sangket & Cherie Finocchiaro 66666. Australia.

An interesting multi-country final. see notes below

Professional Closed Asia Pacific.

1st. Jaehwan Park & Yeeun Sung.  12111. South Korea.

2nd. Minseok Choi & Jeong Yoon Kang  21222. South Korea.

3rd. Liu Yang & Song Yutong   35333. China.

4th. Ayaz Gini Yatullin & Valeriia Kha Zova.  43444.  Russia.

5th. Zhang Yibin & Liu Xia Oyu.  54556. China.

6th. Masayuki Jwasaki & Erika Nakayama.  66665. Japan.

A very happy Korea. I don’t understand how Russia were in this closed championship.

In both of the above events, I am happy to record better posture, especially from the ladies. Just to remind the gentleman that Tango is not a progressive or aggressive dance. Please learn the characteristics of the leg actions and foot styling, which is the highlight of a good Tango.

The first American Smooth championship.

1st. Vlad Fedorov & Albina Chunosova.   1111. Russia.

2nd. Vitaliy Matusiak & Irina Tiamkina   2222.  Russia.

3rd. Arthur Koval Chuk & Elizaveta Kovalchuk. 3333 Russia.

An all Russian final which was refreshing to watch. Because of the choreography, which is used in hold and separation, it is very noticable how relaxed the bodies and arms are. Perhaps the Ballroom competitors can take a leaf out of this quality and introduce it into their dances. it would certainly enhance their performance without losing competitiveness.

Professional Latin American Closed Asia Pacific.

1st. Gong Chao Qun & Zhuo Lian Wei.   11121. China.

2nd. Cheng Yu & Huang Hui Hui.    22212.  China.

3rd. Igor Ifland & Annalisa Zoanetti.  33443.  Australia.

4th. Jack Johnson & Joanne De Jager.  44334., Australia.

5th. Yin Jia Wen & Shi Shuo Luan.  55665. China.

6th. Sota Hasimoto & Marino Oyama.   66556. Japan.

7th. Shen Shih Ping & Hu Pei Yu.  77777. Chinese Taipei.

8th. Zack Tan & Grace Tan.    88888. Singapore

A successful final for China. however, I am sure the marks between 1st. and 4th. places were interesting. It was also a close battle between the two Australian couples. I also liked the lady in the Japanese partnership, she danced with sophistication and quality that could have them a little higher in this excellent final.

The evening has a wonderful atmosphere with tables set for dinner and guests in evening attire. At this stage of the evening, dinner was served. but, it did not interfere with the running of the upcoming open finals.

The first anticipated final was the Professional Latin American Open.

A very strong field of top class international couples, representing five countries.

1st. Nino Aniello Langellka & Andra Vaidilaite.  11111.  italy.

2nd. Salvatore Sinardi & Alexandra Kondrasova. 22222. italy.

3rd. Darren Hammond & Marina Steshenko.  33333.  South Africa.

4th. Yurey Simachev & Olga Kuzmenko.  44444.  Hong Kong.

5th. Gonbg Chao Kun & Zhuo Lian Wei. 55555   China.

6th. Chengyu & Huang Hui Hui.   66776.   China.

7th. Sergey Gusev & Sofia Moroz.  77667.  Russia.

An exciting final. The excellent dancing over five dances created a deserved victory for Nino & Andra, but their performance was pressured all the way by Salatore & Alexandra. I have always enjoyed the dancing of Darren & Marina, perhaps it is because I used to teach his mother, Beverly and Dave in Ballroom. They represented South Africa with distinction as Darren & Marina today.

The Chinese seem to produce so many first-class Latin dancers, and both couples in this final were no exception. The Russian couple, although they achieved a last placing in the final, should not be disappointed to have been included in this company.

The Ballroom Amateur Open.

It was clear it was to be a first-class final.

1st. Michael Tang Yujie & Zhao Ani.   11111.  China.

2nd. Karol Sledz & Ivanna Tymczyszyn.  23222. United Kingdom.

3rd. Jovan Tan & Julia Mmari Scherer.   32333. Singapore.

4th. Nikita Kabanov & Daria Kriukova.  44444.  Russia.

5th. Wu Zhi Ming & Liao Chen Ming.   55555. China.

6th. Hou Yu Chien & Chang Hsiang.   66666.  Chinese Tapei.

A really entertaining final, with Michael & Ani showing classical dancing that has taken them to the top of the amateur world. They need no choreographic gimmicks. just style, musicality and classical shoulder lines

The most surprising moment for me in this competition was seeing for the first time the recently formed partnership of Karol & Ivanna. representing England. What a breath of fresh air they are. Classical shape with a lightness over the floor because of excellent foot usage.

Jovan & julia have improved over recent months however, I would like to see softer upper bodies from them, which would improve their chance for further success. Nikita & Daria are strong dancers and have good characterisation in Tango.  It is no disgrace to be 5th and 6th in such a quality final. Congratulations to Wu Zhi Ming & Liao Chen Ming and Hou Yu Chien & Chang Hsiang, both couples.complimented the final.

Open professional  Ballroom.

1st. Stanislav Zelianin & Irina Cherepanova.   11111.  Singapore.

2nd. Igor Reznik & Lika Dikaya.     22222 Ukraine.

3rd. Zhang Zheng & Jeongyoon.   33333.  China.

4th. Minseok Choi & Jeongyoon   44444 South Korea.

5th. Jaehwqan Park & Yeeun Sung    55555 South Korea.

6th. Liu Yang & Song Yutong.   66666.China.

7th. Vlad Fedorov & Albina Chunosova.  77777. Russia.

Stanislav & Irina gave a champion's performance. They continue to improve, which is what champions do to maintain their titles.

Into second place.  Igor & Lika. They are a tall, elegant couple with good fundamentals and characterisation in all dances.

China, represented by Zang & Jeongyoon, are a very compact couple. i particularly liked their Tango. they have a good understanding of Tango principles.

There was a double challenge from South Korea with Minseok & Jeongyoon comfortably finishing in 5th. place according to the final analysis over their compatriots Jaehwqan & Yeeun, both couples will with international experience do South Korea proud. it is amazing how South Korea are making their mark on the international scene in both styles.

The second Chinese couple,Liiu Yang & Song,  a very energetic couple. Their enthusiasm sometimes made them look a little rough. Calm down, and listen to the music.

Russians Vlad & Albina. They have a good feeling, especially in the Waltz and Slow Foxtrot, a soft quality, probably transferred from their American Smooth style, which, as reported earlier, they won comfortably

The evening continued with Pro Am shows by some of the generous sponsors. in particular, i must mention Julie Shen, who, with her teacher and partner Jason Beaman, danced a melody of Waltz and Australian new vogue lasting over 3.5 minutes. This was greeted with a standing ovation and the announcement of her 90th.birthday. Bouquets came from all directions.

The exciting cabaret by Victor da Silva & Ekaterina Krysanova was excellent and was warmly received by the audience. I have seen Victor perform many times, but never before with Ekaterina. To say she was a wonderful foil for victor is perhaps an understatement. Her softness and balletic arms complimented victor’s ease in the art of executing difficult lifts. I loved their performance.

Having enjoyed a nice dinner, enjoyed the spectacle of competition dancing, and cabarets, it was time to return to the hotel rest and look forward to tomorrow’s diamond dinner ball.

The 2025 Diamond Ball.

Held in the magnificent and world-famous Marina Bay Sands Singapore, it is the grand finale to the Singapore Championships.  this glamorous evening under the patronage of Regina Wong is highly regarded and tickets are at a premium.

A red carpet cocktail reception welcomed everyone. The Ballroom and dining tables were very attractive. Each table had cut glass diamonds of various sizes. which added to the glamour of the evening.

Organisers John & Josephine Tan welcomed all the guests and made a welcome speech of thanks and support to everyone involved in the presentation of the 13th Singapore Open.

As in previous years, the pre-am shows started the evening followed by demonstrations by all of the major champions from the previous day.

Another super dinner complimented by wine that flowed continuously.

Sadly, the time came to say farewell to friends from all over the world, and  hopefully we can meet again at the 2025 Singapore Open in its 14th year.

In closing, a big thank you to John & Josephine.