German champs lead stellar cast of foreign contenders

CEBU, Philippines — World-ranked No.2 Timur Imametdinov and Nina Bezzubova of Germany lead a stellar cast of foreign contenders in the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) Cebu Open 2018 and 10th Dancesport sa Sugbu on September 8 at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Despite their hectic schedule, Imametdinov and Bezzubova pushed through with their participation in the annual as they don’t want to disappoint the hundreds of locals wanting to see them.

Aside from the Germans, the other notable entries are Australia's Barden Brodie and Lana Skgic-De Fonseka, and Chris Boon and Dale Zhao, Korea's Hochng Lee and Yerim Ong, Russia's Ezhov Semen and Maria Butuzova, Vietman’s Nguyen Mich Truang Doon and Nguyen Nha Uyen Trang, and Mongolia's Ganbahtar Temuuleon and Buyandelger.

Noted Japanese dancers Hidaeki Kishi and Shiho Tanaka, world ranked No.9 in the senior division, are also set to see action. They will bring along with them a crew as they want to document not only Kishi and Tanaka’s performance but also the grassroots programs of the DanceSport Team Cebu City.

Right after the WDSF Open, Imametdinov and Bezzubova and the rest of the foreign participants will be flying to China for the World Dancesport Championships the following day.

Aside from the WDSF Open, there’s also the Asian Open. A total of 36  categories will be contested plus the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) inter-school tilt and the parent-child special category.

In line with the forthcoming events, DTCC will stage the culminating event of its year-long grassroots program at the Cebu City Sports Institute in Sawang Calero today.

The top performers will get a chance to compete in the September 8 battle at the Waterfront Hotel while the rest will get free tickets for them to witness the international event live.

''This is our 10th year. Before that, we have our own struggles.But we are continuing this advocacy in transforming the youth through dance. And through this world-class competition, we hope to be able to inspire more less fortunate ones to dream bigger. It’s different when you see world-class athletes upfront,” said DanceSport Council of the Philippines, Inc. (DSCPI) director and Cebu City Sports Commission chairman Edward Hayco.