Usually considered the Olympics of dance, the Dance World Cup 2019 that recently concluded in Braga in Portugal, saw Indian dancers take home lots of medals. Out of the 131 dancers that qualified, 81 dancers along with their respective coaches and choreographers and a few parents reached the southern Eurpoean country on June 27. “In spite of major hurdles faced by dancers in terms of raising funds, getting a visa to enter Europe, lack of government and private support, the dancers did a commendable job in making the country proud,” says Bengaluru-based dancer Lourd Vijay who was the director of the India qualifiers of the Dance World Cup.
Among the wins are three golds, three silvers and three bronzes along with multiple 4th, 5th and 6th positions which added to the overall country’s ranking. The gold medal winners are Alicia Ann George from D4U studios, Bangalore in the Mini solo National Folklore category, Anirudh Jiiva and Nisha BK from Jiivanthara School of Dance, Bangalore in the Senior Duet National Folklore Category and NAAD SAAD from Ahmedabad in the Senior Large Group National Folklore category