WFADS Asian Championship Cup 2026 marks India’s big step into global dance sport arena

New Delhi: The World Federation of Acrobatic Dances and Dance Sports (WFADS), in collaboration with the National Federation of Acrobatics and Dance Sport India (NFADI), organised the WFADS Asian Championship Cup 2026 at Talkatora Stadium on May 8, marking a major step in the growth of dance sport in Asia and the large-scale introduction of Acrobatic Rock & Roll and Acro Swing in India.

The championship was attended by chief guest Ashish Sood, while Gaurav and Khushboo from Manthan Gymnastics Academy attended as guests of honour. Special guests included Bikramjeet Singh Cheema, H.S. Phoolka, and Manoj Sethi.

The event was preceded by the Asia Training and India’s Nationals Selection Camp, held from May 4 to 7 at Manthan Gymnastics Academy. International champions and coaches Svetlana Gavrilova, Alexey Gavrilov, Olga Sbitneva, Ivan Yudin, Igor Vinkovic, and Alex Deli trained Indian athletes during the camp.

More than 120 athletes from Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh participated in the championship, which also served as the official selection platform for Indian athletes. Nearly 100 international athletes from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Mongolia, Vietnam, China, and India also competed.

The event produced exciting performances across categories. In Rock and Roll Formation Women, Zhastar of Kazakhstan emerged victorious. Enthtur Chinguun and Shanina Ekaterina of Mongolia won the Rock and Roll A Class Adults category, while Kazakhstan’s Yashanov Kirill and Dossaliyeva Ayana clinched the Rock and Roll B Class Adults title. India’s Samir Kumar and Priyanshi Mathur won the Acro Swing Adults category.

Jasmeet K. Shan, President of NFADI, said, “The WFADS Asian Championship Cup 2026 is not just an event—it is the beginning of a movement that positions India at the forefront of a globally recognised dance sport. By introducing Acrobatic Rock & Roll and Acro Swing at scale, we are creating a dynamic ecosystem for athletes, performers, and youth across the country.”

Oumy Sene, Vice President Expansion, WFADS, said, “Asia is a key growth region for acrobatic dance sports, and India has the energy and talent to lead this expansion. This championship marks a strategic step in building a strong international presence.”

NFADI General Secretary Gurjit Singh Bajwa added, “This initiative is about grassroots to global impact. We are building a structured pathway for Indian athletes to train, compete, and excel at the highest international standards.”

Darsdidar Singh, Vice President and Trustee of NFADI, said, “This is a proud step towards giving Indian talent a global stage and recognition in a rapidly growing sport.”

Khushboo Singh, Chairperson of Manthan Gymnastics Academy, said hosting the training camp with world champions reflected the academy’s commitment to providing global exposure and nurturing Indian talent for international competitions.

The initiative also coincides with the formation of the National Trust of Acrobatic Dances and Sports Development and the upcoming formalisation of NFADI as the official governing body aligned with global WFADS standards, aimed at building grassroots development and long-term athlete pathways in India.

Tags : Dance sport, Acrobatics, NFADI, Asian Championship, Rock and Roll