2018 WDC AL SOLO Wolrd Championship Ballroom & Latin – Shenzhen , P.R China
Hannes Emrich
Posted On 17th August 2018
A SUCCESS – A SENSATIONAL SUCCESS.
Whenever you create a new event you hope it will be successful but there are no guarantees. You are also aware that there are those who will be against and issue bans and deny their couples the opportunity to dance, the very act that gives dancers no matter what their ability so much pleasure and happiness.
There must be very few who anticipated the phenomenal success of the 2018 WDC AL OPEN WORLD SOLO CHAMPIONSHIPS which also included WDC AL Champion of Champions Ballroom and Latin competitions and magnificent WDC Champion of Champions Professional Ballroom & Latin competitions.
In the long-established tradition of the WDC Amateur League the Championships would be open to every dancer in the world. The association or Federation or organisation to which they belonged did not matter as what matters for the Amateur League is inclusion and not exclusion on any grounds.
There was a breathtaking atmosphere created throughout the 3 days in August 6th.7th,8th and the over 10,000 spectators were enthralled as the almost 6000 entries captivated, entertained and danced from their very souls. The magnificent facilities of the Shenzhen Universiade Games Centre, Shenzhen, China, one of the newest and most spectacular venues in Asia, was the setting and the “Ballroom” that was created was very special and inspirational.
A magnificent organisation undertaking saw the very best of dancing, beautiful music, and excited and enthusiastic dancers thrilling all those fortunate to be present. Whilst the top stars of dance garnered the admiration and excited the Government dignitaries, the guests of honour, and the massive audience during the evening special mention must be made of the huge talent displayed by all the young dancers throughout the day. It was breathtaking to see so many so gifted youngsters dancing with their hearts. Their enthusiasm together with that of their parents, their family and friends is surely for the long-term benefit and development of ballroom and latin dancing.
The outstanding panels of Adjudicators that were assembled had an exhausting but thrilling task and returned home with so many wonderful memories.
We have become used in our world to the media being generally disinterested, and most frequently the more sensational aspects being attractive so it was a refreshing change that all media Press and TV showed not only great interest but were highly complimentary and this can only be for long-term benefit and development. To drive through the streets and see WDC AL banners promoting the event on every lamp-post was not only unique but heartwarming and a great tribute to all that has been created.
December 2008 we saw the first ever WDC AL Open World Championship in Paris and that event every year has grown and grown and so too is this Solo Championship destined to be ever greater and a “must dance” for all the Solo dancers in the world. A wonderful opportunity for all the solo dancers who can still enjoy the pleasures the benefits of our beautiful dance.
Heartfelt thanks must be expressed to Sammy Stopford & Barbara Stopford-McColl, Donnie & Heidi Burns, Yuan Bin and his great team and the provincial Government not only for creating such a magnificent event but for caring so much and investing so much in our beautiful world of Competitive Dance.
