Dutch Open win

Dutch Open 2013

Strictly Wheelchair Dancing members have just returned from the Dutch Open held over Easter in Cuijk, Holland bringing home great success for Great Britain.  The Dutch Open is the largest Wheelchair Dancesport competition in Europe with over 150 couples competing across different classes.

Our dancers in Debutante section, Jim & Joan Izard placed 4th in Duo Class 2 and Brian Livingstone and Kate Tinson placed 6th in Duo Class 1.  Joan also danced Combi Class 2 with Melvyn Rowland where they made it to the semi-final.

It was a great achievement for our beginners in such a large international competition to get through to semi-finals and finals in their first major outing.

Our trainer Ray Bulpitt said: “All our dancers have put in a tremendous amount of work and it has paid off.”

Gary Lyness and Paula Moulton swept to victory on Easter Sunday when they won the Amateur Latin title and also won a Silver Medal in Ballroom the previous day.“We were thrilled to get silver in Ballroom as a great improvement on last year,” said Paula. They were even more ecstatic with their Amateur Latin win as it was for the third year running.  They are now set to become the UK’s first World Class competing couple in Latin Wheelchair Dancesport!

“It’s very exciting, but daunting to be entering the World Class arena after such a short time, but it is testament to our dedication and our trainer Ray Bulpitt,” said Gary.

 When the débutantes were asked if they would do it all again… there was a tentative, but resounding YES!  So, here is to next year in Holland and Manchester Wheelchair Dancers firmly keeping GB on the map in Wheelchair Dancesport.

Our next competition is closer to home when we host to the only International Wheelchair Dancesport competition to be held in the UK. The Manchester Grand Prix Wheelchair Dancesport Championship will take place on Sunday 30th June at the Wythenshawe Forum. The city will play host to competitors from at least 10 European nations and spectators be able to see the world’s best Wheelchair Dancesport champions in action as we have just seen in Holland.

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Published: 11-Apr-2013: (1866)