Colombian dancers stole the show and swept up numerous awards at the fourth World Salsa Championships, held Saturday night in Dania Beach, Florida.
Before an audience of 300 people, and a panel of ten judges and professional dancers, the Colombian couples paraded their skills, performing complex choreography clad in bright costumes, reported news site CM& Sunday.
From among the 100 Colombian competitors, dance partners Jonathan Landasori and Jenny Rodriguez of the Cali Salsa Festival group scooped first place from the cabaret category.
“I enjoyed it and asked God that we dance with power and we did, trying to be beautiful,” stated Landasori, who has been dancing with Rodriguez for three years.
The pair said that the piece was choreographed in five days, but that each pirouette took three months to execute with confidence.
The cabaret category was a clean sweep for Colombia, which won first, second and third place, while the dance-loving nation also came in second and third in divisions Stilo y Sabor, El Mulato and Su Swing Latino.
Other nations to stand out included Puerto Rico, Mexico, Japan, Spain and China.
Last night’s finale took place after 52 weeks of qualifying rounds across 40 countries which are registered with the World Salsa Championships, founded by professional dancer Albert Torres.
Once the competition came to an end the dance floor was opened up with professionals and amateurs alike allowed to take advantage of the stage and atmosphere.