DanceSport at The World Games 2025: Standard Competition Brings More Magic to Chengdu

Chengdu, People’s Republic of China – August 9, 2025
If Day 1 of DanceSport at The World Games 2025 was pure fire and rhythm, Day 2 was an exhibition of elegance, artistry, and pure sporting magic. The magic continued in Chengdu, where the Chengbei Gymnasium once again roared with excitement, this time for the Standard discipline.

From the early heats, the atmosphere was electric. While the affection for all dancers was evident, the support for the local couples was unmistakable. Each time a Chinese pair stepped onto the floor, cheers erupted, flags waved, and the arena filled with pride – not only from the spectators but even from members of the organising team rallying behind their own. It was yet another example of the love for the sport and the dedication of everyone involved in delivering this magnificent competition.

That same warmth extended to every competitor, as all 24 couples gave their very best through the intense Quarterfinal and Semifinal stages. Each performance added to the anticipation, setting the stage for a world-class final that would decide the medals.

Finalists

The battle for the podium brought together some of the world’s most accomplished couples:

A Magical Final

The final unfolded over five dances, beginning with a graceful and flowing Viennese Waltz that set the tone for the evening. The atmosphere then grew more intimate with a heartfelt Slow Waltz, as each couple poured emotion into every movement. The tempo shifted into the poised sophistication of the Slow Foxtrot before the floor ignited with the sharp precision and dramatic flair of the Tango. Finally, the Quickstep brought an explosion of energy, sending the crowd into applause and closing the competition on a high note.

STD kiss and cry alexey anastasia twg2025 This was more than just a competition – it was a celebration filled with countless memorable moments. And although we cannot just choose just one, we must highlight the heart gesture made by Alexey and Anastasia in the Kiss & Cry area. While in the West this gesture is instantly recognisable, in many parts of Asia a heart is traditionally formed by crossing the thumb and index finger. Their gesture stood out so much that it even prompted a light-hearted question in the post-event press conference, where, amid laughter, they explained its meaning to the delighted audience.

Coming back to the Dancefloor, after the last dance was over, the venue was transformed into a scene of pure joy – couples switching partners and dancing together to “We Are Family”, with the crowd on their feet. It was a spontaneous reminder of the unity, camaraderie, and shared love for DanceSport that binds the athletes together.
STD alexey & anastasia final twg2025

Results

The favourites delivered – and history was made.
Alexey Glukhov & Anastasia Glazunova (MDA) claimed their first-ever World Games gold medal, in what has been a dream year: winning the GrandSlam Standard in Blackpool for the first time, retaining their European Championship title at home in the Republic of Moldova, and capturing their first PD World Championship after joining the Professional DanceSport earlier in 2025.

Cojoc Rares & Matei Andreea (ROU) and Dariusz Mycka & Madara Freiberga (POL) shared the joy of making the podium in this world-class arena, both earning the first-ever DanceSport medals for their countries at The World Games. The smiles, embraces, and shared celebrations told the story – it was all joy on the podium.

Full coverage continues on our official social media channels, where we will soon share the most interesting questions and answers from the medallists’ press conference and individual interviews, including their thoughts on the meaning of these medals, the role of DanceSport within The World Games, and the promising future of many young Chinese athletes discovering their passion for dance.

Words from the President

“What a magical event, and what a pleasure to witness DanceSport at this level in Chengdu. My thanks to the organisers for their fantastic work, and my congratulations to all the athletes who have enjoyed this unique experience and gifted the world their very best. We now look forward to the Breaking competition, confident that it will continue to inspire and show that DanceSport is a sport for everyone – one you can’t help but fall in love with.”

Coming Next

DanceSport continues at The World Games 2025 with the highly anticipated Breaking competition on August 16 and 17, where 16 B-Boys and 16 B-Girls will deliver their best in a sold-out venue. Don’t miss a moment – full coverage will be available on the WDSF website in the dedicated Chengdu 2025 section.

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