Lomianki 2018: What you need to know

Some of the world’s best Para dancers will gather in Lomianki, Poland for the European Championships, which begin on Friday (9 November). But how much do you know about one of the hottest tickets in Para dance sport? Read on to discover more….

I have never heard of Lomianki before. Where is it?

Lomianki is 18 km north of the Polish capital Warsaw.

Has it hosted a Para dance sport competition before?

Yes, in fact, it is the second time the Europeans have been held there following the 2014 edition. Lomianki also hosted the Polish Open in 2017 and 2018.

When will the competition take place?

Unlike previous major Championships, the competition will run over three days (9-11 November) rather than two. This not only allows for more breathing room in the schedule but is also a sign of the growing popularity and development of the sport.

Who will be competing at Lomianki 2018?

The top dancers from across Europe will be there, with 95 athletes from 14 countries taking to the floor.

What type of dances will be contested?

Men and women will compete as singles in standard and freestyle disciplines. Men and women then partner in duo (two wheelchair dancers) and combi (wheelchair dancer with standing partner). The couple dances include freestyle, Latin and standard disciplines. In total, there will be 19 medal events.

Will there be any new countries competing?

Turkey will attend a European Championships for the first time. Osman Ertoz and Abdul Kadir Unal will compete in men’s singles events. Ertoz will pair with his standing partner Yesim Eryigit in combi freestyle 1

Who are the local dancers to follow?

Poland has four dancers staring on home floor: Pawel Karpinski, Joanna Reda, Julia Sadkowska and Katarzyna Bloch. Karpinski, Reda and Bloch are all experienced medallists, and favourites to shine in front of their own fans.

When were the last European Championships?

The last European Championships were in 2016 in Kosice, Slovakia.

How can I follow the competition?

All three competition days will be live streamed on World Para Dance Sport’s website and Facebook page. You can also follow the results on Instagram and Twitter.