In December, the Hot Ballroom DanceSport Challenge returned to the Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel for another unforgettable weekend celebrating DanceSport, community, and excellence. The 2025 edition marked another successful chapter in an event that began in 2016 as Hot Ballroom Night and has since grown into one of Southern California’s premier DanceSport competitions.
Months of careful planning and weekly meetings throughout the year led to a seamless and vibrant competition weekend. The event was proudly co-organized by the USA Dance Los Angeles County Chapter and the Dan L. McGurk Scholarship Fund, once again joined by Irina Trebunskaya of Dance It Up and Oksana Kalinuka of OC Dancing Ballroom. Their shared vision and dedication continue to elevate the Challenge year after year.
Spanning three dynamic days, the competition offered something for everyone—lively social dancing, educational opportunities, and exciting contests across Youth, Under 21, Adult, and Senior divisions. Dancers competed in Standard and Latin, from Syllabus through Championship levels, creating an inclusive and energetic atmosphere that kept the dance floor lively from morning through evening.
One of the defining features of the weekend was the strong sense of community. Youth, PreTeen, and Junior dancers brought infectious enthusiasm and camaraderie, while Senior competitors inspired audiences with their artistry, musicality, and experience. Championship events delivered outstanding performances and culminated in celebratory awards ceremonies honoring the dedication and accomplishments of all participants.
A special highlight of the event was a professional performance by Aka Modebadze and Gvantsa Tsikhelashvili, World and European Show Dance Latin Champions, whose electrifying showcase captivated the audience and underscored the artistic heights of DanceSport.
From the youngest first-time competitors to seasoned champions, the Hot Ballroom DanceSport Challenge once again demonstrated the joy, passion, and connection that make DanceSport so special. The event’s success would not have been possible without the commitment and support of the dancers, judges, coaches, organizers, and volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes.
Special thanks go to our dedicated volunteers: Daniel & Susan Bielski, Sarajane Bradford, Anna Volynska, Janett Garcia, Vasil Chekadzhikov, Carleton Imbens, Natalya Sokolenko, Deborah Caadena, Kai Seo, Eli Hamre, and Sonia Voloshinov.
Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2025 Hot Ballroom DanceSport Challenge a memorable experience. We look forward to continuing this vibrant tradition and welcoming the DanceSport community back for many years to come.
