The International Federation of Same-Sex Dance Associations
Report on the IFSSDA International Championships at Gay Games XII
by Benjamin Soencksen
Under the expert leadership of Tom Dane, EEDA Board Member and competitor at this event, and Isaac Rovira, who judged at Dancesport of the XI Gay Games 2023 in Guadalajara, Mexico, Dancesport in Valencia turned out to be well-run and most enjoyable event for all in attendance. The Sports Center Fuente de San Luis, a basketball arena, was skillfully turned into a worldclass competitive venue by a technical team that outdid themselves with lighting, screens and drapery. Dancesport was one of only two events at these games that had the honor of an air-conditioned venue throughout the 4 days of competitions.
More than 250 dancers from all over the world registered and the worldwide panel of 14 judges headed by Isaac Rovira, the MC Peter Meager from the UK, Isaac’s parents as the most capable and well-prepared scrutineering team and the sublime DJ had their work cut out. IFSSDA was represented by Arnim Lohrmann, Vice-President of EEDA and President of DVET, and myself, Representative of NAEDA to IFSSDA. (https://ifssda.org/gay-games-valencia-dancesport-officials-judges/)
It was the first time since 2018 when the X Gay Games were held in Paris that an Equality Dancesport event of this magnitude has taken place, evident by the fact that some categories required a quarterfinal. Couples in attendance came from all corners of the world, including Australia, Ecuador, Mexico, New Zealand and Singapore, to name but a few. The skill level ranged from dancers who just started dancing a few months ago to worldclass performances, separated skillfully by the judges into D- through A-Classes with the grading process as outlined by IFSSDA’s Competition Rules. All results can be found here:
IFSSDA with its founding members and supporters congratulates all winners and hopes that your success will inspire you to continue as well as others to join you on this journey of partner dancing!
