Obero, Margalit dazzle Tokyo audience 

A galaxy of international stars took to the dance floor at the National Yoyogi Stadium this weekend as the Tokyo 2023 International Competition marked the return of the Para Dance Sport to the nation in a decade. 

Nearly 100 Para dancers from 18 nations were in action this weekend (August 5 and 6). And in the end, familiar names and new faces emerged winners - who danced and swayed to hit musical numbers and mesmerised the audience in Tokyo.

Golden campaign

Israel’s Tomer Margalit continued her brilliant run in the season, yet again displaying her talents to clinch four gold medals at the National Yoyogi Stadium.

Starting her gold campaign winning the combi latin class 1 event alongwith Halaf Orel, Margalit went on to clinch the top positions in combi latin freestyle 1 (with Orel), single freestyle woman class 1 and single women class1 events. 

In men’s events, Mexico’s Jesus Yermain Fernandez prevailed over the challenges from former medallists – Poland’s Pawel Karpinski and Kazakhstan’s Yermek Kalymbetov to emerge the winner in single freestyle men class 2.

In single freestyle men class 1, Brazil's David Pontes emerged the surprised winner finishing ahead of Lee Youngho of Korea and Kazakhstan’s Ardak Otorbayev.

Asian dominance 

Philippines' multiple-time world champion Julius Jun Obero hogged the limelight with his incredible dancing style and went on to clinch five gold medals that included beating Mexico’s Yermain in single men class2 final.

Obero also paired up with Edelyn De Asis to take the top spots in duo latin and freestyle class 2 finals. 

Meanwhile, De Asis made it triple gold when she impressed everyone in single women class 2 finals for the gold. 

Obero alongwith Rhea Marquez also topped the combi latin class 2 and freestyle class 2 podiums which was swept by dancers from Philippines.

Koreans shine in duo/ combi events

South Korean dancers too left lasting impressions clinching gold medals in four events - duo standard class 1 and class 2; and combi standard class 1 and class 2 finals. 

Jang Hyejeong captivated the audience with her moves to stand out in women's events with two gold and two silver medals.

Chinese Taipei clinched the only gold in single women class2 event thanks to the skills of Chinese Taipei’s Yen-Yu Hsu, while Kazakhstan emerged winner through Ardak Otorbayev and Sevda Aliyeva in duo freestyle class 1 event.

Complete results from Tokyo 2023 Para Dance Sport International Competition are available here. 

What’s next?

The World Para Dance Sport action will now move to Slovakia for the Kosice 2023 Para Dance Sport World Cup starting September 15 to 17 before the arriving at the Czech Republic for the Prague 2023 Para Dance Sport International Competition (7 and 8 October).

But the sole focus will be on the Genoa 2023 Para Dance Sport World Championships in Italy scheduled to take place from November 24 to 26.