Shenzhen World Stars report by Robin Short (UK)

Shenzhen World Stars – by Robin Short

Reported in Dance News (UK) Edition No. 2316

The culmination of several events in different venues throughout China took place in the famous dance city of Shenzhen. Organizers, China Ballroom Dance Federation, chose the experienced Manfred Wang to oversee the final events and awards ceremony of the 2012 Ranking Awards for Ballroom and Latin in both Amateur and Professional divisions. Over forty Chinese adjudicators were selected to join those from overseas who were: Alessandro Firmo (Italy), Alessia Betti (Italy) David Sycamore (England), Hazel Fletcher (England), Jonathan Crossley (England), Jukka Haapalainen (Finland), Klaus Kongsdal (Denmark), Mark Robertson (Hong Kong), Sergey Gladkikh (Russia), and Robin Short (England).

Marcus Hilton MBE, Robin Short, Manfred Wang

The event took place in the Universiade Sport Hall Shenzhen, A vast Building with seating for over 5,000. Huge screens were erected at each end of the stadium where results were posted and videos of the year’s events shown whilst the events were taking place. Two days of competitions proceeded the final evening, which was devoted to only the finals of the professional events and the award ceremony.

The opening of the evening was given to all the adjudicators, officials and demonstrators walking the red carpet over the dance floor to the stage to be presented to the house full audience.

This was followed by performances by Shenzhen Luohu Dance Sport Art Troupe with their dynamic show dance presentation. The Anhui Disabled Ballroom Dance Art Troupe gave a moving Latin formation display; these deaf youngsters assisted by four teachers at strategic positions and using hand signals to inform the beats of music.

The evening also highlighted Shenzhen World Stars Show, which was given by Michael Malitowski & Joanna Leunis, Victor Fung & Anastasia Muravyeva, Justinas & Anna Melnikova Duknauské, Neil Jones & Ekaterina Sokolova, Qi Zhefeng & Lan Fan, Luan Jiang & Liu Jing, Zhao Liang & Svetlana Borisova, and Yang Chao & Tan Yiling. All couples providing exceptional dancing to the delight of the audience and inspiring the young Chinese dancers to future development.

Twelve couples in each division were brought to the stage for the result of the Ranking Award in each section when an image of a huge white dove filled the screen at the rear of the stage. Then an electronic lift raised the winners from the depths of the stage to a rostrum where they were presented to make a short speech, each couple thanking their teachers and expressing their desires to work to improve in the coming year.

The results of the year’s ranking in each section were (only the 1st place is listed)

Professional Ballroom: - Yang Chao and Tan Yiling

Professional Latin: - Shao Liang and Svetlana Borisova

Amateur Ballroom: - He Chong and Shan Jing

Amateur Latin: - Xu Yilong and Shi Linyue