Top dancesport athletes from around the world are set to compete in the World DanceSport Cebu Open 2016 set to fire off on Sept. 10 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. (CONTRIBUTED)
With world champions standing in their way, DanceSport Team Cebu City (DTCC) is expecting nothing but a cutthroat competition in the World DanceSport Cebu Open 2016 slated Sept. 10 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
“It’s like we are going up against Michael Phelps or Usain Bolt,” said Edward Hayco, chairman of DTCC.
Hayco said 16 countries have already confirmed participation in the annual competition.
“We have a bigger competition this year. I think last year, only eight countries took part so for this year, we doubled the number of participating countries,” said Hayco.
Among those who confirmed participation are dancesport athletes from England, Italy, Spain, Russia, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Brunei, Korea, Japan, Spain and Australia.
A total of 600 couples will be strutting their wares, said Hayco.
“Spain is the country to beat in the Latin competition, while Australia is the favorite in the Standard event,” said Hayco.
“This is going to be a tough competition for DTCC since world champions are competing. But this is what an international competition is all about. We want to raise the standard of DTCC,” Hayco said.
Hayco stressed that the 1,000-member DTCC is ready to take on the challenge.
“We want to aim high. That’s the reason we are hosting this tournament,” added Hayco.
The 14-hour competition that starts from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. covers 19 categories such as Juvenile 3 (11 and below) Closed Syllabus, Juvenile 5 (11 below) Closed Syllabus, Junior 3 (12 –15), Junior 5 (12–15), Youth 3 (16–18), Youth 5 (16–18), Teacher-Student I-3 Dance (student must be 39 years old and below), Teacher-Student II-3 Dance (student must be 40 years old and above), Teacher-Student II-4 Dance (student must be 40 years old and above), Teacher-Student II-5 Dance (student must be 40 years old and above), Senior I-3 Dance (one partner must be 35 years old and the other 30 years old), Senior I-5 Dance (one partner must be 35 years old and the other 30 years old), Senior II-2 Dance (one partner must be 45 years old and the other 40 years old), Adult 3 Dance, Adult 4 Dance, Philippine Close and WDSF Close.
Each category includes the Latin and Standard disciplines. The Latin discipline covers ChaChaCha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive while the Standard discipline covers the Slow Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot and Quickstep.
Two special categories include the University/School Teacher Event and the Corporate Event.
To be held simultaneously with the World DanceSport Cebu Open 2016 is the 9th DanceSport Sa Sugbu, a competition for a cause that serves as the culmination activity of hundreds of child trainees (mostly under-privileged). The event provides an opportunity for these barangay child trainees to get a firsthand experience of what it is like joining in a professionally officiated dance competition in the hope that the exposure will instill in them self-discipline, self-confidence, and self-worth./with PR