This competition is a more recent addition to the International Championships, designed to bridge the gap between the Under 16 Juniors and Under 21 Youth categories. The Rising Star
designation also offers dancers who have not yet reached the highest rankings an opportunity to showcase their talent. The competition was intense, with every couple looking like they were fighting for the title from the very first round. The final ultimately came down to the following six couples, placed as follows:
1st - GUOYAO YIN AND XUTING CAO (1,1,2,1,1)
Winning four out of the five dances, this couple exhibited champion quality from the very first
round, combining powerful movements with a softer, more elegant performance than most other competitors. Guoyao and Xuting have a great ability to measure their output in harmony with each other, demonstrating that very important skill of knowing the right amount of effort to give each step of their choreography. This precise control allows them to maximise impact and create striking contrasts in their performance.
2nd - MARK LYSENKO AND YULIIA CHERNOIVANENKO (3,3,3,3,2)
Mark and Yuliia, another standout couple throughout the competition, secured the runner-up
position by placing 3rd in the first four dances and 2nd in Quickstep, demonstrating the value of consistency and a strong finish. Their powerful leg action gives them a competitive edge but can also result in all variations they dance having a similar attacking nature. With their technical skills, they have the potential to refine their timing and add more variation to their delivery for an even greater impact.
3rd - MACIEJ KACZMARSKI AND AMELIA MARECKA (4,2,1,2,6)
Unlike the previous couple, Maciej and Amelia displayed some of the most varied results across dances, winning the Viennese Waltz but finishing 6th in the Quickstep. On further inspection this variance reflected the polarised opinions of the judging panel, with significant changes in their final placement often hinging on a single judge’s decision. I particularly enjoyed watching their Tango as they danced with an impressive clarity and sharpness. For future development, I would like to see the man provide more support from his right side to create additional space for the lady.
4th - LINGTONG LI AND ZHIYAO ZHU (5,4,5,4,3)
Lingtong and Zhiyao have a beautiful look about their dancing, emphasising the togetherness and lightness of quality ballroom dancing, which understandably made Quickstep their best marked dance. In a strong final where most couples prioritised speed and power, their approach was refreshing but also left them somewhat vulnerable. They could benefit greatly from developing more resistance and depth in their movements, a refinement that will likely come with time.
5th - MATTHEW HOLYOAK AND OLIVIA COWAN (2,6,4,6,5)
Matthew and Olivia were a very dynamic and powerful couple in this final, maintaining a strong position and arm line. While their best result was 2nd place in the Waltz, the judges’ scores varied significantly between dances, suggesting a need for greater consistency. In my view, their competitive approach could be enhanced by a more natural release of body weight, allowing for greater fullness and freedom, as currently their actions can look slightly artificial.
6th - BARTLOMIEJ ZGUTKA AND STELLA KORZENIEWICZ (6,5,6,5,4)
Bartlomiej and Stella delivered a clean and controlled performance, showcasing impressive
consistency that earned them a well-deserved spot in the final. However, to challenge for higher placings in the future, they need to further expand their skill set and competitive offering. Specifically, their position together appeared overly held and compact, and so one such development could be to explore greater expansion and breath to enhance their shaping.
Image: Gilbert Wu
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