The Philippine Para Dance Sport Team has successfully raised the country’s flag on American soil after winning several medals at the two-day Dearborn 2024 Para Dance Sport USA Open, a showcase of the graceful sport that involves athletes with a physical disability using a manual or power wheelchair to dance.
The Filipino para dancers competed against some of the world’s best wheelchair ballroom dancers from more than 20 countries, eventually taking home 19 medals—nine golds, six silvers, and four bronzes – from the combi duos and singles events at the competitions held on August 10 and 11 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, Michigan. Dance routines at the competition included Freestyle, Standard: Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow foxtrot, Quick step, and Latin: Samba, Cha-cha-cha, Rumba, Paso Doble, and Jive.
The Philippine Para Dance Sport Team had previously won six gold, three silver, and two bronze medals at Japan’s Tokyo 2023 Para Dance Sport International Competition. They also snagged seven gold, four silver, and eight bronze medals in the Polish Open World Qualifying Round in Lomianki, Poland, in 2021.
CATCH Day 1 dance sports performance of Team Philippines here:
ICYMI Filipino para dancesport team sweeps 7 golds in Polish World Qualifiers
The Philippine Paralympic Committee shared on social media that Team Philippines—composed of Ariel Recosana, Anne Santos, Justine Elejorde, Joey Mags, Hanz Basan, and Edelyn de Asis—outshined their rivals and claimed four gold, two silver, and two bronze medals on the first day of the tilt.
With the help of their coaches Roque Marquez and Tristan Ducay, the Filipino dancers replicated their feat on Day 1 and delivered excellent results on Day 2, clinching eleven more medals—five golds, four silvers, and two bronzes.
SEE Team Philippines Day 2 routine at the Dearborn Dance Sport here:
Despite the physical challenges, the national teams under the Philippine Paralympic Committee have been taking home pride and glory to the country.
Filipino para athletes proudly secured the Philippines’ best medal finish at the ASEAN Para Games with 28 golds, 30 silvers, and 46 bronze medals in the regional sporting event held in Solo, Indonesia in 2022.
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