• John & Marianne wave to the audience John & Marianne wave to the audience
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Last night there was not a single competition that did not keep us all on the edge of our seats and even though the show started quite late that too managed to captivate us and brought us all to our feet when John & Marianne waved us good night!

• Nazar Norov & Irina Kudryashova Nazar Norov & Irina Kudryashova
• Open Pro Rhythm Open Pro Rhythm
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Nearly every event started with a quarter-final round and those that did not had full semifinal rounds. The Professional Rhythm was terrific with some very exciting couples and new faces at the helm. Nazar Norov & Irina Kudryashova were the easy winners with nearly perfect scores in all dances from nearly all judges. We say nearly because there was just one judge that dissented from the rest of the first place decisions and that was Ms. Pat Traymore who awarded them 2,4,2,4,2, a couple of the judges were wondering what she saw that the rest of the ballroom missed? To be fair to Pat there was another judge that awarded them one mark that was totally out of the ordinary and it came from Elena Kryuchkova in the rumba and it was a 6th place mark, in the other four dances she awarded them first.

From second place down the rest of the marks were a little murkier, Danas Jaksevicius & Yuki Haraguchin took second place overall but not in all dances, they placed 2,2,3,2,2. In looking at the marks we can see that it was not clear in the judges’ minds where they were going to place this couple, they received from second to fourth places in every dance, but their worst placements came in the mambo where they even managed to get 4 fifth place marks. Third in this heat was awarded to Shane & Shannon Jensen who placed third in four dances and second in the swing.

Fourth place was very clear for everyone it was awarded to Ilya Velednitski & Mariya Ilchenko 4,4,4,4,4, fifth place was Ivan Dishliev & Marieta Nedyalkova 5,5,6,5,6, and sixth place was Aaron & Iryna DeSoto 6,6,5,6,5.

• Alexander Voskalchuk & Veronica Egorova Alexander Voskalchuk & Veronica Egorova
• Open Pro Ballroom Open Pro Ballroom
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The Open Professional Ballroom was also an excellent event and here the winners also won with a great majority of firsts in all dances and that was Alexander Voskalchuk & Veronika Egorova, their tango got the worst marks and even a third from Alan Tornsberg in that dance. Alan was not the only judge to award them a third Pat Traymore also awarded them a third but in the quickstep. From first place down the marks also became a little murkier as they did in the Rhythm. Andrey Begunov & Anna Demidova took second overall but not in all dances, they took a third in the VW and quickstep. When speaking to some of the judges who did not favor them at the after party, they told us that they were looking a little heavy at times, a big problem for a couple of their size and stature if they want to move up in everyone’s eyes. Third was awarded to Oscar Pedrinelli & Lenka Kovalcikova 3,3,2,4,2, so as you can see the Ballroom dancing is truly an art, because it is in the eyes of the beholder.

Fourth in this terrific event went to Igor Mikushov & Ekaterina Romashkina 4,4,4,3,4, proving our point about Ballroom dancing being an art Dance Beat’s own Didio Barrera awarded them mostly thirds and even some second places. When it came to fifth and sixth there was no doubt where who should be where, Emanuele & Francesca Pappacena took all fifths and Nazar Batih & Mariko Cantley were sixth. Funnily enough when speaking to some of the same judges they all commented as to the tremendous improvement Nazar & Mariko have made in the last six months, we definitely have to agree with this observation we too find them to be the most improved couple of this group.

• Nick Cheremukhin & Viktorija Nick Cheremukhin & Viktorija
• Open Pro Smooth Open Pro Smooth
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The Smooth being only four dances makes it very difficult for the judges to have a clear winner, so we can always expect the unexpected in this style. However, on this outing there was no other choice for them when it came to first place, Nick Cheremukhin & Viktorija placed not just first in all dances but took the jackpot by getting first from all the judges in every dance, perfect scores for them in all four dances. We must also point out that this was a “points only” Star Tour event and we must say that Nick & Viktorija are attacking fiercely even though they were absent in two stops they are now in third position and climbing fast.

Second in every dance was awarded to Max Sinitsa & Tatiana Seliverstova and they too got the majority of seconds in every dances but a few very low marks that will make all heads spin. There was the casual fourth, but Judge 27, Roy Stone awarded them there worst marks all around, 6,6,5,4. Max & Tatiana are currently in the lead in the Star American Smooth Tour. Third but not in every dance went to Sergey & Maria Barsukov 3,4,4,3, and here we most also point out that they unlike the other two mentioned are not in the running yet for any money in the Star American Smooth Tour, but we hope to see them join because if they do, they can definitely give plenty of couples a run for their money, as they say.

Fourth overall in these Smooth event went to Roman Malkhasyan & Kat Wagner, with the scores of 4,3,3,4, as you can see it was a total tie between them and the couple that placed third, Sergey & Maria, however rule 11 came into play and they ended up in fourth place overall and as John DePalma organizer and the voice of ballroom dancing would say, “if you don’t know what rule 11 is? Ask someone.” Roman & Kat are also part of the Star American Smooth Tour, however due to injury they have not been able to compete as fully as they would have liked, but being in fourth position and having won the first official stop we see great future for this excellent couple in the race.  5th tonight with 5,5,5,5 were Kris Suakjian & Briana Haft.  They are high in the rankings in the Star Tour and remained in 4th place overall after this event.  6th went to John Campbell & Jaki Brockman and they remain in 8th place overall in the Star American Smooth Tour.

• Artur Tarnavsky & Anastasia Danilova Artur Tarnavsky & Anastasia Danilova
• Open Pro Latin Open Pro Latin
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The Open Professional Latin, had some excellent young talent and at least for us there were three couples we could not take our eyes off. First and wining four dances but placing second in the jive were Artur Tarnasvskyy & Anastasia Danilova. They of course are very progressive in their interpretation of the five dances, something that in the past has at times made us cringe, but we have to say that lately they are beginning to settle down and are presenting the same very unique product but with some of the understandings and characteristics we old folks expect in Latin dancing (congratulations). Artur & Anastasia are also part of the Star International Latin Tour and they are now in third position overall, Artur & Anastasia missed a couple of the stops and so they are playing a little catch up!

Second in this Latin competition went to Dmitri & Olena Nikishkin and they won the jive, we have to say that in this competition we were really torn between three couples Dmitri & Olena who we felt that could have easily won at least a few dances and even Hayk Balasanyan & Emilia Poghosyan who placed fifth overall but who had a terrific final in which for us they had the best rumba of the night. In looking at the marks Nikishkin’s did take a number of first marks in all dances from Artur and Anastasia and as you saw stole the jive completely. I think that the closeness in performance and in talent of these couples made this event perhaps one of the best and most exciting of the night. Dmitri & Olena also take part in the Star International Latin Tour and at the moment they have taken the lead and are in first place.

Third overall in this heat went to Alexey & Vlada Karaulov. They placed third in three dances and fourth in paso and fifth in jive. We were a little disappointed in their performance. Unlike the last four couples mentioned, they are tending to look a little outdated in their style, meaning a good rumba walk no longer justifies a first place mark. By this time rumba walks should be compulsory, for us personally we need a little more, we want to see some individuality and different forms of characterization of each dance, like many of the greats have done before them, like Vibeke & Alan, a perfect example of a couple that introduced new interpretations of these basic dances.

Fourth overall went to in our opinion the most improved couple of the night Hayk Balasanyan & Emilia Poghosyan and they placed fourth in three dances and third in the paso, jive. We ourselves loved their rumba and as I said before could have easily won this dance. I must say that in all the dances they got quite a number of thirds and one first place mark from a member of the Dance Beat family, Mr. Didio Barrera in the rumba. Hayk & Emila are also part of the Star International Latin Tour race and they are now in second place after the Capital Dancesport Championships.

Sasha Altukhov & Cheyenne Murillo placed fifth overall with the scores of 5,5,5,5,4, here also we saw quite a lot of improvement, this couple for us has everything but need to role up their sleeves and not be afraid, break the doors down. In sixth position were Jake Davis & Alyona Kanilina. We also have to say that we like very much what this couple are doing and in many dances they could have placed much higher. Sasha & Cheyenne are taking part of the tour and are at the moment in sixth position. We must remind all couples that the Star Tours pay down to 12th place in the race, but there are some rules that apply and they must read them at http://sdt.dancebeat.com/

• Open Amateur Latin Open Amateur Latin
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The Amateur Latin also took place this evening and it was as good as any of the events previously mentioned. There were 7 couples in this final and winning all dances were Pasha Stepanchuk & Gabriella Sabler. Second was awarded to Ryan Raffloer & Hanna Sverdlov 2,3,2,3,2; Eric Groysman & Dakota Pizzi were third 4,2,3,2,3; Nazariy Blagyy & Marketa Vlckova placed fourth 3,4,4,4,4; Igor Golovach & Michelle-Angela Blank were fifth 5,5,6,5,5; Parker Lynn & Ciara Transtrum placed sixth 6,6,5,6,6 and Matthew Harkins & Emeli Buchman were seventh in all dances.

• Rufus Dustin Rufus Dustin
• Show Show
• Show Show
• Show Show
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We were all a little late for the after party due to the fantastic show put together by Mr. Rufus Dustin and he read excellent captions to every dance describing many facts - like the fact that he had been asked to be a partner of John & Marianne for the Capital Dancesport Championships and the reason why he declined; who started this fabulous event many years ago and many other interesting trivia facts that many of us were not aware off. It was all totally worth the wait and no food or drink would have satisfied our minds as much as this show did.

Congratulations to Rufus Dustin for putting together this interesting fact filled show and congratulations to Marianne & John on their 20th anniversary of the Capital Dancesport Championships, it is an event totally worth attending and we recommend everyone put it on their calendar. If you are an immigrant like us we totally recommend seeing this beautiful city and all the monuments that decorate our “Washington DC.”

 

A Shower of Rising Stars at Capital!

Last night at the Capital Dancesport Championships there was, what we would consider, a shower of Rising Stars in the Smooth and the Rhythm divisions.

Both competitions were fully attended, with healthy quarter-final rounds and terrific talent.

• Pro RS Smooth Pro RS Smooth
• Roman Malkhasyan & Kat Wagner Roman Malkhasyan & Kat Wagner
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The Rising Star Smooth was the first to go on and here it must have been quite difficult from the start to bring back 12 from such an excellent group. However, in the end 6 couples took to the floor and they all had something special, making the night interesting to say the least. The winners of the Rising Star Smooth were Roman Malkhasyan & Kat Wager who won every dance. We must point out that Roman & Kat have just recently started getting back on the floor after a few months off due to an injury. To them we say welcome back (we believe this is the second competition they have done since the injury). Second in this excellent final was awarded to John Campbell & Jaki Brockman and they placed second in every dance. Third went to Mykyta Serdyuk & Anna Krasnoshapha 3,4,3,3. Fourth was awarded to Enzo Zappia & Stephanie Betts 4,3,5,4; fifth position went to Matt Rivers & Maliwan Diemer 5,5,4,5 and in sixth place were Maksym Lototskyy & Sarah Haworth and they placed sixth in all dances.

• Ilya Abdullin & Tara Barakov Ilya Abdullin & Tara Barakov
• Pro RS Rhythm Pro RS Rhythm
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The Rising Star American Rhythm also had a terrific group and a healthy quarter-final round. In this Rhythm event the winners in every dance were Ilya Abdullin & Tara Barakov. Second place was awarded to Alberto Cortes & Jassa Mae Brianes, but from here down there were slight variations in the marks. Alberto & Jassa placed second in four dances and third in the bolero. Maksym Lototskyy & Sarah Haworth also entered the rhythm competition but here they placed a little higher than in the previous event mentioned. They took third overall 3,3,4,2,4. Riccardo Papi & Sabrina Moretti were fourth overall with these marks 4,4,3,4,3. Fifth in every dance went to Kristian Sese & Mae Lozada and sixth was awarded to Jonathan Chen & Melisa Keller.

• Pro Cabaret Pro Cabaret
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Shane & Shannon Jensen won the Cabaret. Aaron & Iryna DeSotto were 2nd, Pavel Cherdantsau & Svetlana Rudkovskaya were 3rd and Douglas Dombrowik & Angel Fox were 4th.

• Open B PA Latin Open B PA Latin
• Missy White w/ Genya Bartashevitch Missy White w/ Genya Bartashevitch
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The Open Pro/Am Latin Scholarships were terrific, the “B” in particular had quite a few people fighting for the Capital title and here Missy White w/Genya Bartashevich won overall but as you will see not all dances 1,2,2,1,1. Second place was awarded to Maria Seragou w/Dimitrios Damalas and she won 2 dances and placed second in the other three dances. Third went to Jacqueline Soccodato w/Delyan Terzeiv and they placed third in all dances.

The “A” Pro/Am Latin was also fun to watch and here Annie-Lynn Shevetoff w/Ilias Vinikovskiy was first in all dances, Sara Trudeau w/Sergey Izyumov took all seconds and Sasha Davydenko w/Alex Senko took all thirds.

• Open A PA Latin Open A PA Latin
• Open C PA Latin Open C PA Latin
• Suzanne Saperstein w/ Ricky Bentzen Suzanne Saperstein w/ Ricky Bentzen
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The “C” division was won by Suzanne Saperstein w/Ricky Bentzen placing first in all dances, second went to Coree Tan w/Ian Folker 3,2,2,3,2, and third was awarded to Anne Camus w/Nikolai Pilipenchuk 2,3,3,2,3.

Tonight all the Open Professional competitions will close the championships and we expect all events to be of the utmost quality.

 

Basically Rising!

Last night at the Capital Dancesport Championships it was a night of basics and Rising Stars.

The Professional Rhythm and Smooth Basics divisions took place and so did the Professional Rising Star Ballroom & Latin.

• Pro RS Ballroom Pro RS Ballroom
• Stefano DiBrino & Bianka Zubrowska-DiBrino Stefano DiBrino & Bianka Zubrowska-DiBrino
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In the Professional Ballroom Stefano & Bianka DiBrino from California won by placing first in four dances and second in the VW. Christian Radvan & Kristina Kudelko won the VW and were second in the other four dances giving them an overall placement of second. Third went to Yuriy Nartov & Sarika Hudson placing third in all dances, fourth were Leonid Burlo & Liana Bakhtiarova 4,4,4,4,5T, and fifth place was awarded to Radu Sterban & Xenia Cletova 6,6,5,5,4, leaving sixth to Luca & Krizia Balestra 5,5,6,6,5T.

• Alexey & Vlada Karaulov Alexey & Vlada Karaulov
• Pro RS Latin Pro RS Latin
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In the Professional Rising Star Latin went to Alexey & Vlada Karalov and they won all 5 dances. Second went to Riccardo Pacini & Sonia Spadoni but the scores were quite varied for everyone from here down - they go 3,2,3,2,2. Third was Nikita Tsernov & Anna Oblakova 2,3,2,4,4. Fourth place went to Simeon & Kora Stoynova 5,4,4,3,3, fifth were Vlad Astafiev & Annie He Xiao 4,5,5,5,5 and sixth place in all dances was awarded to Dmitriy Slomakha & Gabriela Sevillano.

• Pro Rhythm Basics Pro Rhythm Basics
• Pro Smooth Basics Pro Smooth Basics
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The Professional Basics were not as populated as the Rising Stars. The Rhythm had the biggest turn out with 5 couples and was won by Nazar Norov & Irina Kudryashova placing first in all dances. Shane & Shannon Jensen took second in all dances, third place was awarded to Diego Semprum & Tatiana 3,3,3,4,3. Fourth were Tim Pennenga & Tatiana Ramirez 5,4,5,3,4, and fifth place was awarded to Matthew Kusak & Jessica Sartoni 4,5,4,5,5.

In the Professional Smooth Basics three couples were present and first place in every dance went to Matt Rivers & Maliwan Diemer. Second were Gabor Seres & Rebecca Gentry placing second in all dances and third in every dance was awarded to Shane & Shannon Jensen.