2018 in Review: Top three male Para dancers

As we continue our look back on the top sporting events of 2018, here are the three male dancers who had a season to remember in Para dance sport:

Ivan Sivak, Ukraine

A pleasure to watch on and off the dance floor, Sivak evidently dances for the love of the sport.

He only competed in one event at the 2018 European Championships. But throughout the three-day competition, when he was not competing or warming up, he was cheering on his teammates and filming their performances on his phone.

There was no question that he was the strongest dancer when he took the floor in the men’s singles standard class 2.

The men’s freestyle was not part of the 2018 European Championship programme. But Sivak still performed his 2017 World Championship winning routine for fun to the joy of the audience.

Nilson Pires, Cape Verde

In one year, the 15-year-old has developed greatly since his debut at the 2017 World Championships. Pires competed at two international competitions and medalled in both. He took silver in the men’s singles freestyle class 2 in Cuijk, Netherlands. Then three months later at the Polish Open, the teenage talent captured his first career gold medal in the same event.

Pawel Karpinski, Poland

Ahead of his home European Championships, Karpinski was the biggest local name to watch. The 30-year-old had a busy season, traveling to compete in three competitions before Lomianki 2018. He madalled in every event he danced in, across combi, duo and singles. Amid stiff competition in the men’s singles standard 2, Karpinski came away with European bronze. In total at Lomianki 2018, he won five medals that included a memorable gold with standing partner Nadine Kinczel in the combi Latin 2.