New Delhi: India aims to carve out a space for itself on the global dance sports stage. In what is being seen as the start of a larger sporting movement, athletes, coaches, and world champions are gathering in New Delhi for the World Federation of Acrobatic Dances and Dance Sports Asian Championship Cup 2026.
For the first time, Acrobatic Rock & Roll and Acro Swing will be showcased on a major platform in India. The championship, being organised by World Federation of Acrobatic Dances and Dance Sports (WFADS) in collaboration with the National Federation of Acrobatic and Dance Sports India (NFADI), comes at a moment when such high-energy dance sports are gaining international attention through high-profile TV appearances, global championships, and efforts by organizations like the World Rock ‘n’ Roll Confederation (WRRC) and WFADS.
Ahead of the main competition on 8 May at Talkatora Stadium, an Asia Training and India Nationals Selection Camp was held from 4 to 7 May at Manthan Gymnastics Academy in Chhatarpur. There, Indian participants trained under world-renowned champions including Svetlana Gavrilova, Alexey Gavrilov, Olga Shibneva, Ivan Yudin, Igor Vinkovic and Alex Deli.
Svetlana and Alexey Gavrilov are Russian National Boogie Woogie Champions and have won several international Boogie Woogie competitions. Olga Sbitneva and Ivan Yudin have also won several Acrobatic Rock ‘n’ Roll World Championships. Among the champions was also Igor Vinkovi, an International judge involved in WFADS World Championships and African Championships.
Nearly 220 athletes, including 120 from India, and several others from Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia, Vietnam, China and other Asian countries, will compete in the upcoming championship. Winners of the National Championship will represent India at the World Championship in France this July.
“The WFADS Asian Championship Cup 2026 is not just an event, but the beginning of a movement that will establish India in a leading position in global dance sports. This stage works as a bridge between sports and art, discipline and expression,” said Jasmeet K Shan, president of WFADS.
Training the Rock & Roll stars
Inside the training halls at Manthan Gymnastics Academy, athletes stretch beside gymnasts, coaches analyse dance lifts closely, and as routines are performed, music pulsates through participants. For many participants, the camp is also their first exposure to international-level coaching.
“We are proud to host the Asia Training and India Nationals Selection Camp at Manthan Gymnastics Academy. Training with world champions from Europe, East Asia and Russia is an important step towards taking Acrobatic and Dance Sports in India to new heights,” said Khushbu Singh, chairperson of Manthan Gymnastics Academy.
The National Trust of Acrobatic Dances and Sports Development, launched in April 2026, is expected to focus on grassroots coaching, athlete development, and structured training pathways across the country. Alongside it, NFADI is being developed as the sport’s official governing body in India aligned with international WFADS standards.
“Asia is an important growth region for acrobatic dance sports, and India has immense potential to lead in this field,” said WFADS Vice President (Expansion), Oumy Sene.
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Dance as a competitive sport
The significance of the championship also lies in its timing. Around the world, Acrobatics Rock & Roll and Acro Swing are steadily gaining visibility, with federations campaigning for wider inclusion in recognised international sporting events.
“This initiative is creating a pathway from the grassroots level to global impact, through which Indian players will be able to compete at the highest international level,” said General Secretary of NFADI, Gurjit Singh Bajwa.
What makes this special is the way it positions dance as a competitive sport demanding discipline and technical mastery.
“Being in India for this historic international training camp has been a truly inspiring experience. Seeing more than 120 students from seven Indian states training alongside 76 international athletes is a powerful sign that Acrobatic Rock & Roll is finding a strong future here. The enthusiasm, discipline, and natural talent these young athletes hold are exceptional, and I genuinely believe India has the potential to shine on the global stage in the coming years,” said Russian dancer Ivan Yudin.
Yudin and his partner, Olga Sbitneva, also expressed how meaningful it has been to witness and support this development firsthand. They shared their happiness in being part of a journey that is strengthening international collaboration and helping the sport grow in India.
(Edited by Janaki Pande)