What were you doing August 8-12? Eighteen USA Dance couples decided to travel to Stuttgart, Germany, to dance in the prestigious World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) German Open Championships (GOC). The United States had some great results.
United States medalists were:
- Amateur Senior IV Standard “Silver” (2 of 93) – David Getchell & Allison Gonzalez
- Amateur Senior II Latin “Bronze” (3 of 46) – Anatoliy Shvarts & Tatiana Keegan
Semi-Finalists included:
- Professional Master Class I Standard (8 of 15) – Egor Bezukladnikov & Irene Tzu Ling Lee
Rounding out notable accomplishments were:
- Amateur Senior IV Standard (13 of 93) – Eric Austin & Yanina Kisler
- Amateur Senior II Standard (14 of 125) – Gokturk Yurtyapan & Asli Yurtyapan
- Amateur Rising Stars Latin (26 of 237) – Artisom Pazniakou & Daria Goryaynova
These numbers are extremely impressive but difficult to fathom if you have not competed overseas. The GOC is the largest WDSF event, lasting five days and spanning three full-sized ballrooms in Stuttgart’s Kultur & Kongresszentrum Liederhalle. All three ballrooms are constantly going, with beautiful music, stoic judges, cheering spectators, nervous coaches, and fierce competitors.
So, what’s it like? Let’s talk about International Standard for a minute. Hundreds of dancers gathered in a crowded hall; trying to warm up; sizing up the competition; pointing out Champions, friends, and judges; and checking heat sheets. Opening announcements are made and Heat #1 dancers in their best tailsuits and gowns take to the floor with the elegance of a king’s court.
The Waltz! Judges survey and quickly mark what they see. Everyone has worked hard, endured hours of coaching, and is dancing big. Ninety seconds later, that dance and opportunity is over, and they all roll out for a gorgeous bow. Most smile, but some grimace after collisions, forgotten choreography, and a few aches and pains. Shaking it off is best, but there is time to think about it because there are still many heats of Waltz to go before Tango starts.
Dancers check heat numbers one more time, as the order changes per dance. Then, finally, the Tango starts. Time to bring it!! Get into character and attack the floor with all the passion that can be mustered. Judges are furiously marking their recalls – good frame…good action…attitude…that one’s off time. Ninety seconds later, that opportunity is also over. Some hug.
Wipe it off, drink some water, and get ready for the next dance. Viennese Waltz is next, and despite the heat of an August day, all muster a delightful smile as they prepare to whirl around the floor. Many demonstrate intricate choreography, while others choose more traditional fleckerals. Hold the frame, don’t drop the arm, watch the shoulder! All pray to avoid collisions and to complete 90 seconds unscathed. Some actually manage it. Done — Shake it off again. Men straighten ties and ladies check hairpins.
If there’s time, get another drink and get back in line. Discussions are heard in all languages, “What heat is on the floor? What heat are we? Are you sure? I need a Band-Aid.” A couple runs past because they almost miss their heat.
And then…Foxtrot! Even though this is Germany, Nat King Cole or some other American crooner starts singing and everyone settles a little. Coaches grab their couples and give last-minute advice, “Smile…footwork…timing…more sway…less sway!”
Couples have their own interesting conversations, “What was that couple doing? Stay away from them. What were YOU doing? Do you realize you were off the beat? That’s not our choreography. You’re not thinking!!! You’re not moving! If you don’t lighten up, we’re going to have a lousy day!” Some cry. Hmmm…How do these people dance together and look so good?
SHAKE IT OFF!! Time for Quickstep. Ready or not, it is your turn! Listen to the music! Frame up!! More comments are heard, “She’s perfect, smiling, and running backward. He’s amazing! He’s maneuvering the floor like a race car driver! Whoa! Watch that couple lying on the floor! Go Go Go!!!” Third long side, fourth long side, fifth long side!!!! Stay together! Arms up!
And…It’s done! The first round is done!!! Roll out, take a bow, and walk proudly from the floor. Welcome to the German Open! The next heat starts in two hours. You will have to do it many more times to get to the Final.
Our top-finishing Americans this year, David Getchell and Allison Gonzalez are not strangers to these happenings. As highly competitive Senior IV International Standard dancers, they are extremely experienced and have probably seen it all.
“We have medaled every year that we have attended the GOC, starting in 2018 when we got third place,” said David and Allison. “In 2019, we were thrilled to win the competition!”
GOC 2020 and 2021 were cancelled due to COVID-19. However, in 2022, when the competition ran two WDSF competitions in each age category, David and Allison placed third on the second day of competition and eighth on the first day. This year, however, there was only one Senior IV Standard event.
“Most significantly,” noted David and Allison, “this year the competition date was before the August 15 Italian Festival, “Ferragosto”, so we had all the top Italian competitors attending, and a total of 93 couples who competed. We felt it was the most competitive German Open competition that we have attended. We were thrilled to get the second place – Silver medal!”
Where does that leave them? Based on WDSF rankings, they are currently third in the World! But they are not alone in their single-digit world rankings.
Dancing up to their usual high standards at the GOC, United States Senior II Latin Champions and World Silver medalists Anatoliy Shvarts and Tatiana Keegan also had an impressive showing. After four strong rounds, they earned their Bronze medal by placing third (of 46 couples) in all dances. This dynamic United States couple is currently ranked sixth in the World!
The first GOC, in 1987, was modeled after England’s long-established Blackpool Dance Festival and consisted of a three-day competition. It was a unique ballroom tournament that drew 600 couples from Germany and neighboring countries, who competed in 12 competitions (Professional and Amateur) in the Latin and Standard disciplines.
In 1990, the borders to the east were opened, which added dancers from Russia and other Eastern European countries, and by 1991, the entries had doubled. The competition continued to grow over the next ten years, drawing over 5,000 spectators a day, and matching Blackpool in competitor numbers and international flavor.
By 2008, the German Open was officially recognized as the world’s largest DanceSport festival, with more than 5,000 entries, representing 46 nations from every continent, and boasting over 200 couples in all their individual Grand Slam events and many of their Senior events.
Other United States dancers who competed this year were:
- Rich Abney & Paula Abney
- Kairat Algadaev & Julia Alexandra Seleznyov
- Arkady Dudko & Lena Dudko
- Simon King Sang Fung Fung & Pu Fung
- Adel Ghoneimy & Karen Chow
- Daniel Kogan & Michelle Olivia Ysyang
- Denis Kojinov & Jeanette Chevalier
- Daniel Yeil Loziner & Rachel Hannah Rudshteyn
- Todd Marsden & Susanna Hardt
- Leland Andrew Prouty & Ilona Prouty
- Richard Richards & Rita Snyder
- Malachi Ruebush & Rebecca Gwilliam
The GOC is a WDSF competition and is open to all WDSF dancers in good standing. These events are not limited to Championship-level dancers. However, all dancers do compete at the Open level, with age categories like those used by USA Dance.
WDSF is the world governing body for DanceSport. USA Dance is the Recognized Sport Organization for DanceSport in the United States. USA Dance couples wishing to compete in WDSF events may sign up as WDSF members at:
https://www.worlddancesport.org/News/WDSF/Start_Applying_Now-914.
Any questions about the process should be referred to the USA Dance International Advisor to the President, Katusha Wilder, at: international-advisor@usadance.org.
