2014 IPC Wheelchair Dance Kazakhstan Open concludes

ASTANA. KAZINFORM Russia picked up a number of medals and there was plenty of home success following the conclusion of the first 2014 IPC Wheelchair Dance Sport Kazakhstan Open in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Around 30 athletes from seven countries competed on the parquet of the Palace of Independence from 26-27 July, at the 2014 IPC Wheelchair Dance Sport Kazakhstan Open.

Athletes from Russia, Belarus, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, and Kazakhstan were competing in what was the last licensing event on the road to the 2014 Asian Para Games in Incheon, South Korea.

With this being the first event held in Kazakhstan, there was home success early on as the experienced Ardak Otorbayev and his partner Aidana Beglenova came out on top in the combi-standard programme.

Aigul Balmagambetova also topped the podium in solo standard (class two) in her first competitive wheelchair dance event, much to the delight of the home crowd.

"Regardless of my impairments, I have been practicing dances since childhood, but only for myself," Balmagambetova said.

"I received lots of positive emotions during the Kazakhstan Open. I am happy for the success of the Kazakh athletes who took part in this event. It was a big professional experience for me."

Russian couple Maksim Sedakov and Svetlana Kukushina took first place in the combi Latina (class two) event.

The duo have been dancing together since 2004 and have won seven championships in Russia, two silver medals at the last two World Championships, as well as first place at the World Dance Olympiad in Platja d'Aro, Spain.

There was more Russian success in the combi standard (class two) as Vitaliy Morozov and Gulnaz Akbasheva took top place ahead of their compatriots Stanislav Sheshukov and Tatiana Skvortsova. Kazakhstan's Marat Karakulov and Nargiz Akhmetova claimed bronze.

Chinese Taipei's Kuo Wen Sheng and Huang Yijung were the winners of the duo Latina (class two) programme, whilst Hong Kong's Wong Wo Chau took victory in solo Latina (class two).

South Korean world champions Han Chang Woo and Ryu Jini kept up their good form with victory in the combi Latina (class one).

This was the first wheelchair dance event held in Kazakhstan under the auspices of the IPC.

The panel of judges consisted of eight international adjudicators, who arrived from Austria, Germany, South Korea, Japan, Russia, Kazakhstan and Hong Kong.

For more information, visit the IPC Wheelchair Dance Sport page .