Co-organized by the Taipei City Government Department of Sports and the Chinese Taipei DanceSport Association, the 2026 CTC Cup Ballroom Dance Championship was successfully held on July 4 at Taipei Arena. This year’s event attracted more than 1,132 athletes from 37 countries, bringing together many of the world’s finest dancers, including finalists from this year’s prestigious Blackpool Dance Festival in the United Kingdom. Four of the world’s top six Professional Latin couples competed in Taipei, making this one of the most prestigious international Standard Dance events in Asia in recent years.
During the evening gala, Director General Yu Chu-Ping of the Taipei City Government Department of Sports stated that Taipei continues to promote sports diplomacy and international exchange by hosting world-class sporting events. The CTC Cup not only provides Taiwanese dancers with the opportunity to compete alongside the world’s elite but also showcases Taipei’s capability to organize major international sporting events, further enhancing Taiwan’s standing within the global DanceSport community.
Continuing one of the event’s signature traditions, the evening gala featured live performances by the Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra together with the Music Line Jazz Band, creating Asia’s first DanceSport gala accompanied by two live orchestras. The combination of magnificent live music and breathtaking dance performances delivered an unforgettable artistic experience for the audience. the Altamoda Cosmetics Group has been a long-time supporter of the championship and has sponsored the participation of the Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra since 2018, continuously promoting the integration of music and dance while earning widespread recognition from the international DanceSport community.
The Opening Ceremony began at 6:00 p.m., featuring a special opening performance by Ms. Tzu-Yu Chen, daughter of the Altamoda Cosmetics Group and a long-time supporter of the event. Performing alongside the Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra, Ms. Chen opened the evening with elegance and confidence. Having studied Latin dance for only three months, she courageously stepped onto the Taipei Arena stage, demonstrating her passion for dance while symbolizing the company’s longstanding commitment to supporting arts and sports development. Her performance received enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Highlight of the evening was the Little Legends Program Grand Final, where eight outstanding young Taiwanese dancers, selected through multiple qualifying rounds, showcased their talent, confidence, and passion on the Taipei Arena stage. The program reflected Taiwan’s continued commitment to nurturing the next generation of DanceSport athletes. The championship winner, Liu yua, was recognized for outstanding achievement and will continue pursuing success on the international stage.
In addition to world-class competitions and spectacular performances, the gala also featured a lucky draw for spectators. The Altamoda Cosmetics Group sponsored ten prizes valued at NT$10,000 each, while AmTRAN Technology Co., Ltd. donated a 65-inch JVC television as the grand prize. The prize drawing created an exciting atmosphere throughout the arena, allowing spectators to enjoy not only elite DanceSport performances but also an entertaining and memorable evening.
Following a full day of intense competition, champions were crowned across the major divisions. The Professional Standard Open title was awarded to Stanislav Zelianin of Singapore Country and partner Irina Cherepanova. The Professional Latin Open title went to Dorin Frecautanu of England Country and partner Marina Sergeeva. The Amateur Standard Open championship was won by Oleksandr Bezkrovnyi & Mariia Savchuk of Ukrain Country, while the Amateur Latin Open title was claimed by Sharif Mirkhanov & Anna Dolgopolo of Russia Country.
World Professional Open Standard:
- Stanislav Zelianin & Irina Cherepanova
- Stas Portanenko & Nataliya Kolyada
- Michael Tang & Aini Zhao
- Madis Abel & Liis End
- Evgeny Sveridonov & Angelina Barkova
- Dima Dakhnovskyi & Anna Dakhnovska
World Professional Open Latin:
- Dorin Frecautanu & Marina Sergeeva
- Kirill Belorukov & Valeriya Aidaeva
- Pavel Zvychaynyy & Polina Teleshova
- Salvatore Sinardi & Sasha Kondrashova
- Giuseppe Nonnis & Lele Khutsishvili
- Andy Lo & Yan Yan Deng
World Amateur Open Latin:
- Sharif Mirkhanov & Anna Dolgopolova
- Nikita Pavlov & Lisa Semashko
- Lloyd Perry & Anna Sloukova
- Artem Goryunov & Elvira Lapteva
- Guilherme Roboredo & Polina Golovina
- Leo Malgin & Polina Slinkova
World Amateur Open Standard:
- Oleksandr Bezkrovnyi & Mariia Savchuk
- Dmitrii Zakharenko & Anastasiia Zakharenko
- Nikita Beresnev & Alina Islamova
- Ilia Zubenko & Mariia Borovata
- Andrew Lan & Yulia Liu
- Pawel Pieklak & Oliwia DobrzynSka
- Danila & Anita Hsieh
Beyond showcasing the highest level of international DanceSport competition, the event also welcomed the public through complimentary admission and ticket redemption programs supported by charitable invoice donations, encouraging more citizens to experience world-class DanceSport performances at Taipei Arena and bringing arts and sports closer to the community.
The organizers stated that they will continue strengthening international cooperation and establishing Taiwan as one of Asia’s leading platforms for international DanceSport exchange. The successful conclusion of the 2026 CTC Cup Ballroom Dance Championship marks another important milestone in the development of DanceSport in Taiwan and leaves unforgettable memories for dancers and spectators from around the world.
