Jon Stojan
Image credit: Denis Filonenko and Anna Sergeenko
DanceSport, or competitive ballroom dancing, gained recognition as a legitimate sport in the early twentieth century when European dance halls were repurposed for tournaments. It quickly became popular in North America and parts of Asia. Today, DanceSport stands on the brink of becoming an official Olympic event, with thousands of athletes competing in numerous tournaments worldwide.
Why is it crucial to promote DanceSport in the USA, where it holds significant potential but has not yet reached the level of development seen in American favorites like baseball or football? And how can this sport help the younger generation in their physical and mental self-development? We explored these topics and more with Denis Filonenko and Anna Sergeenko, accomplished competitors who have excelled at world cups and championships. They have also made history in DanceSport as the first couple representing Israel to reach the final of the European Championship in their category. Now residing in the USA, these athletes are driven by the ambitious goal of elevating their discipline to the status of a country’s top-tier sport.
First of all, our congratulations on becoming one of the country’s top two couples at the USA Dance National Championship 2024. Prior to this, you were part of national teams in several countries and achieved numerous accolades globally, but this award is probably special as it is your first since relocating to the States. Let’s start with a brief introduction to your discipline. Can you tell us more about what DanceSport actually is?
Denis: DanceSport is a discipline that demands high coordination, exceptional endurance, excellent physical fitness, and a range of other skills. While it is not yet an Olympic discipline, it has been recognized by the International Olympic Committee, and there are high hopes for its eventual inclusion in the program. It is quite inspiring that breakdancing has already become an Olympic sport and is making its full debut at the Olympics in Paris.
Anna: DanceSport consists of ten dances, divided into Latin American and Standard dances. We can perform all ten, but we specialize in the Standard program, which includes the Slow Waltz, Slow Foxtrot, Tango, Quickstep, and Viennese Waltz. It’s easy to see how important physical conditioning is: each dance can be compared to sprinting around a small stadium. During a performance, my heart rate can reach 180 beats per minute, whereas the norm is 130-150 beats during regular sports exercises. Additionally, from one dance to another, the tempo and mood change, requiring quick adjustments. As a professional, you must do all this with a smile and never show signs of fatigue, even at the end of a long tournament, which sometimes lasts from morning until evening.
You both have been dancing since childhood and were already winning tournaments as kids. However, as a dancing duo, you gained worldwide recognition. The list of your shared achievements is very impressive; which one do you consider the pinnacle of your career as a pair?
Denis: In 2022, we became the first and only couple representing Israel to reach the final of the European Championship in the Show Dance Standard category. Additionally, we performed for Israel’s national team at the World Championship and represented Azerbaijan at both the European and World Championships as well as the World Cup. One of the significant challenges is to be selected from the numerous couples vying to represent their country at the largest international tournaments. To earn the right to participate in all these events, we first had to be among the finalists—the top three couples—at the national championships of these countries. And our successful performance at the USA Dance National Championship is definitely a significant milestone in our professional biography, as it signifies the start of our career development in the United States.
How many years have you been partners? How did you realize that you feel comfortable performing as a couple?
Denis: We have been dancing together as a couple for 7 years. Prior to that, each of us had extensive experience, having participated in over a hundred tournaments. When we began dancing together, we immediately realized that we were psychologically compatible. This is crucial because dancing as a couple means spending a lot of time together and working towards shared goals. The key is that these goals align.
Anna: Starting to dance with a new partner can be likened to a honeymoon phase. You’re happy, full of hopes, and not yet burdened by heavy physical demands as you focus on preparing your routines. Difficulties can arise later, when more intense training begins and when you participate in your initial tournaments. Some people may give up at this stage, and some couples may part ways. Fortunately, our partnership was spared from such drastic changes.
You say that for a couple it is principal to have shared goals, what are yours?
Denis: Of course, we would be thrilled to represent the USA at world championships and eventually at the Olympic Games once DanceSport is included in the official program. We believe we could promote the American national team on the global stage, especially in Show Dance, which is our specialty. We are presently preparing for the upcoming USA national championship in autumn, scheduled to take place in Florida. Our objective is to exceed our previous second-place finish, so we are immersed in intensive training to ensure we perform at our best. During periods without competitions, we practice dancing 5-6 times a week for at least 4–5 hours each session, and have fitness training three times a week. Currently, we’re increasing our workload even further.
Anna: However, our aspirations go beyond just winning awards. We believe we can inspire people to participate in DanceSport and introduce children to it. This can help develop this sport in the USA, where surprisingly, it is progressing at a slower pace compared to other nations. In a vast country so enthusiastic about sports, DanceSport, in our opinion, remains overlooked. For instance, in the last decade, the level of DanceSport athletes has significantly risen in China and Eastern European countries. In Europe or Russia, when parents choose a physical activity for their child, dancing is often among the top choices. In the USA, however, rugby, football, and gymnastics are favored, with DanceSport considered much less frequently. We would like to change this perception because it’s an excellent sport for kids, improving endurance, developing coordination, artistic skills, and communication abilities. It is a superb form of exercise that aids in calorie burning, muscle toning, improving flexibility, and boosting cardiovascular health. It contributes positively to mental health by reducing stress, lifting mood, and potentially enhancing cognitive abilities. DanceSport is also a beautiful, very spectacular sport, and we are thrilled to showcase its elegance and inspire others. We were invited as special guests to perform at San Jose State University, and the feedback from the students was very touching. People fall in love with this sport when they see it, which convinces us that its popularity in the USA is just a matter of time. This sport is relatively young, and the peak of interest is certainly yet to come.
At what age would you recommend starting DanceSport?
Denis: Like in any professional sport, it’s best to start at a young age. I began at four years old, and after several years of practice and participating in my first serious competitions, my parents and I realized it could be a lifelong pursuit. Around the age of ten, I became vice-champion of St. Petersburg, competing in the city’s largest tournament.
Anna: I started when I was 10, which is considered quite late to begin a career. I had to train more than intensively to catch up in skill with my first partner, who had a much higher level. Thanks to these efforts and to my coaches, who helped instill discipline, I not only caught up with him but also achieved significant success. We were champions of St. Petersburg and reached the semi-finals of the Blackpool Dance Festival in England alongside the world’s top couples.
Is this sport prone to injuries? Based on your extensive experience, have you encountered many incidents?
Denis: Fortunately, we haven’t experienced any serious issues, but as with any contact sport, injuries can occur. It’s not only the demanding training regimen but also performing in competitions wearing less comfortable attire—like the tailcoat, for example. It looks elegant but is not nearly as comfortable as the uniforms worn by athletes in other disciplines. The same goes for the heeled shoes. Additionally, the dance floor can accommodate up to 12 couples, totaling 24 people. It’s essential to navigate around potential collisions with other couples without interrupting the dance or compromising on showcasing flawless technique. You literally have to scan the dance floor.
Competitions feature numerous highly skilled athletes. For instance, at the USA Dance National Championship where you achieved second place, there were over 100 pairs. And during world championships, you’re competing against the best couples from around the globe. The competition is incredibly fierce. How do you manage to distinguish yourselves? In your opinion, what are your advantages over your competitors?
Anna: Indeed, DanceSport is a highly competitive world, and standing out is essential. According to renowned coaches we’ve been fortunate to work with, our strengths lie primarily in flexibility, fluidity, and agility, even in dances that are quite static. Speaking of specific skills, Denis shines in the Viennese Waltz, demonstrating the fastest fleckerl, a spinning maneuver requiring utmost precision and speed. While others struggle to complete one rotation in a single measure of music, he manages to perform two full turns. I excel in high kicks while maintaining steady balance.
Denis: Additionally, we have our signature moves that sometimes make us recognizable even from afar among numerous couples. It’s not necessary to invent such distinctive moves based on classical techniques, but we find it intriguing to experiment and inject something personal into DanceSport. These moves not only set us apart from other couples but also generate enthusiastic responses from the audience. This is crucial—hearing applause and feeling the audience’s support. Performing in front of thousands of spectators is heart-pounding, especially when you’re competing on a global stage, representing not only your partnership but the entire country. However, it also brings immense joy—showcasing to people the beauty, strength, and energy of such a diverse and captivating sport like DanceSport.