World-ranked German tandem rules WDSF Open

CEBU, Philippines — As expected, Germany’s Timur Imametdinov and Nina Bezzubova danced their way flawlessly to victory in the Latin division of the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) Open and Cebu Open DanceSport Championships the other night at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Imametdinov and Bezzuboza, ranked No.3 in the world who are now on their way to China for the World Cup, dethroned Australian Brodie Barden and Lana Skrgic-de Fonseka, while Japanese Toshiya Ohkubo and Haruka Yoshimura settled for third.

In the all-Asian battle, Makati’s Mark Jayson Gayon and Mary Joy Renigen took away the gold while Manila’s Afredo Suarez and Marilou Nunez got the silver.

Dancesport-Team Cebu City’s Pearl Marie Caneda and Bjorn Torreon took the bronze.

Japanese couple Toshiya Ohkubo and Haruka Yoshimura reigned supreme in the Latin side of the all-Asian action. Korea’s Hochang Lee and YeRim Oh bagged the silver, while the country’s bets Elmer Dizon and Rachael Sun picked up the  bronze.

DTCC’s Ansel Estillo and Carrie Samson wound up fourth in the all-Asian action but got the gold in the adult 4 Latin.

DTCC actually got a total of 15 golds, 17 silvers and 13 bronzes at the end of the one-day showdown on the dancefloor.

In the Latin dances, the other golds for DTCC came from Marlon Segismar and Sarah Jane Binaday (senior II-2), John Lloyd Leyson and Ouie Selene Rendon (junior 5), Nigel John Angel and Shadelle Nina Hernandez (juvenile 5/juvenile 3), Lloyd Simon Asuque and Jasmine Kate Labra (youth 3), Jake Emmanuel Corro and Kim Jocson(youth 5), and Jasmer Labitad and Lorraine Mae Pacana (adult 3).

In the Modern Standard, DTCC's gold medallists were Gylie Nino Diluvio and Yeddah Marie Castanares (youth 5),Ronald Ruiz and Jocelyn Versteeg (SE II-4),John Lloyd Leyson and Ouie Selene Rendon (junior 5), Nigel John Angel and Shadelle Nina Hernandez (juvenile 5), James Bryan and Christine Camacho (adult 3), Hezekiah Sobrevega and Rowella Rydel Pat (junior 3), and Jeffrey Ruben Benarao and Lorraine Mae Pacana(SE I-3).

Popular Japanese artists Kishi Hidaeki and Tanaka Shiho lorded it over the senior division, while Yuske and Tomoko Nishida topped the senior I-3 Latin. Japan won a total of three golds, one silver and two bronzes. (FREEMAN)