about dancesport...

WHAT IS...

dancesport

The World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) coined the term “Dancesport” in the early 1980s. While the Sport aspires to be consistent with the generally accepted definitions, Dance is to remain the distinguishing artistic mark.

For some of the styles, Dancesport takes pride in upholding some of the traditions and panache of what was previously known as competitive ballroom dancing. But it has long abandoned the latter’s narrow confines. Today, the most diverse dance styles that have adopted a sports-based culture, and that have established bona fide competition structures, fall under the genus name.

Dancesport has become an all-encompassing brand for an activity that is uniquely accessible and sociable, allowing participants to improve physical fitness and mental well-being, to interact, and to obtain results at all levels. Everybody is capable of moving to music. And dance transgresses all barriers of age, gender and culture.

OLYMPICS AND

dancesport

By 1992 WDSF had become a full member of the General Association of International Sports Federations (SportAccord), an umbrella organisation made up of more than 100 sports governing bodies. Soon thereafter, DanceSport was recognised by the International Olympic Committee and thus became eligible to be included in the Olympic Programme.

Due to this factor, WDSF dancers were able to participate in past World Games, Asian Games, Asian Indoor Games and SEA Games. Just recently, Dancesport has been included as one of the medal events in the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris which is history-making in the Dancesport world.

TYPES OF...

DANCE DISCIPLINES

-LATIN AMERICAN-

The five Latin dances are the Samba, Cha-Cha-Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive. With their heritage from Latin American (Samba, Cha-Cha-Cha, Rumba), Hispanic (Paso Doble) and American (Jive) cultures, they each have their distinguishing traits but coincide in expressiveness, intensity and energy.

TYPES OF...

DANCE DISCIPLINES

-MODERN STANDARD/ BALLROOM-

The five Standard dances are the Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep. Somewhat more formal than their Latin counterparts – and not just in terms of the athletes’ attire – they are generally danced in a closed position of the partners. The hold a Standard dance commences with is maintained throughout.