Dance they did, even on wheelchairs
The 5th BDFI International Dance Festival powered by the Sports Ministry came alive at the Nuga Sewana Hall of the BMICH in mid October. Chief Guest, Noubuko Yotsumoto, Vice President of the International Para Olympic Committee and World Dance Sport and Guest of Honour, Japanese Ambassador Kenichi Suganuma and Mrs. Suganuma were greeted by two local wheelchair dancers.The curtain raiser saw a touch of tradition with dancers from NADA.
The competition segments saw around 100 local dancers vying for honours in the Hip-Hop, freestyle and team events. The wheelchair segment showcased both Combi standard and Latin, the standard won by Taipei and the Latin won by Russia.
The freestyle solo section was won by Tomomi Shuto from Japan.
Highlights of the festival programme included the Russian wheelchair couple Galina and Wiacheslav who were a treat to watch with their acrobatic movements.
International entertainer and dance champion Ahamed Sala from Dubai dressed in elegant white cast a spell on the audience with a superb display while there were also stylish demonstrations by the Taipei Latin dancers and belly dancer Yuki Chua. The swinging dance group – Kizomba Fever from Abu Dhabi provided a fitting finale.
The judges were Prasanna Kumar (India), Anushan Perera, Hasitha Chandrasekera, Lasantha Silva, Lakshman Manchanayake (Sri Lanka), Konstatan Vasilev (Russia), Tsai Shiusui (Taipei), Noubuko Yotsumoto (Japan) and Yuki Chua (Singapore).
Workshops were conducted the day prior to the competition.
Pix by Nilan Maligaspe