Thursday evening at The Royal Albert Hall saw the world's best dancers competing for the title of International Champion 2024. The atmosphere was electric and the dancing did not disappoint. My congratulations to the dancers who all displayed expertise from the very first round. For those of you who didn't quite get the results you wanted, take heart that the audience appreciated every step you took and return to your studios with determination and pride. It was a fabulous standard throughout.
1st. GLENN-RICHARD BOYCE & CÄROLY JANES
Well what can be said about this couple who oozed confidence from the moment the music started. They produce a very polished and complete performance. The movement they create is smooth and silky and they make every step look effortless, it looks so easy. The syncopations in quickstep were exceptional, fast, co-ordinated and so together. Glenn has such a command of body space and awareness and Cäroly ’s frame and posture never moves. Easy winners for me, Many congratulations.
2nd. YUJIE TANG AND AINI ZHAO
This couple were light, free and elegant, yet powerful. They had super control of weight, creating beautiful swing and sway in Waltz and Foxtrot. The choreography was cleanly defined and interesting. I particularly liked the foot elevation from Yujie, whose execution of controlled rise and fall was superb and I loved their usage of feet throughout. Their connection was very strong, with Aini reacting so quickly to Yujie's shapes and musicality. Very worthy of the title of Vice Champions, congratulations.
3rd. MARCO SIROCCHI AND DORA KILIN
Another very strong performance with the Viennese waltz being their best dance for me. The usage of rotation was excellent. The Dora has a strong presence with super posture which remained stable throughout. She was a great foil for Marco, whose projection and confidence excelled in places. Again lovely use of feet with weight rolling through every part of the foot. A pleasure to watch. Well done.
4th. OLEKSANDR BEZKROVNYI AND MARIIA SAVCHUK
I thought this couple challenged for a higher place. They were strong, powerful and musical. They portrayed fabulous use of both legato and staccato actions in tango with absolute precision and musicality. The depth of movement they created was super and their togetherness remained throughout. Keep working at those basic principles that you are so good at and I am sure your rewards will come.
5th. ANDREI TOADER AND MIA LINK-HOLDEN
Lovely performance from this couple who are consistently making these very prestigious finals. The final was their best round for me. I thought they were a little “careful” and holding back somewhat in the early rounds but their confidence and projection was much stronger in the final. Andrei you are one of the best male dancers I have watched tonight, make sure your dancing tells everyone this. Throw caution to the wind and both of you let your fabulous technique, movement and power take you higher. I look forward to watching your continued progress.
6th LINGHAO KANG AND ANRAN XING
A very strong final to make and you should be very proud of your performance. You have a very mature but soft action in the swing dances, with very flexible sides creating big shapes and sways. The leader has a great awareness of his partner and she followed immaculately. Now work on the quality within that fabulous movement to create more consistency of depth and power.
Image: Tomasz Reindl
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