Here is all you need to know about the competition taking place at the Palace of Independence.

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The competition is the first Asian Championships to take place since 2016 and therefore represents a milestone for the development of Para dance sport.

Competition will take place in combi and duo categories across Latin, standard and freestyle as well as the men’s and women’s singles class 1 and 2.

You can watch live at the Kazakhstan Para Dance Sport Federation website and follow updates on World Para Dance sport’s social media.

Who to look out for

Of the five competing countries, Kazakhstan’s team is by far the biggest as the hosts plan to put on impressive show.

Included in their number are Aidana Mukanova and Yermek Kalymbetov. The pair were winners at the World Cup in Antalya, Türkiye, in the duo Latin class 1 and 2 earlier in 2024. Teammates Aruna Zhaxagulova and Alexandr Chachsin took bronze in the same event.

Competing on his own in the men’s singles freestyle, Kalymbetov claimed silver in Türkiye. However Mexico’s Jesus Yermain Jesus Yermain Fernandez Angeles is an interesting prospect who could challenge the local star.

In the women’s singles, Arua Behairi finished third in the class 1 in Antalya.

Ok, so who else?

Dancers from other Asian countries have also impressed the judges this year.

South Korea’s Hyo-Jeong Huang and Jeongbu Bae were winners at the Amstelveen 2024 Para Dance Sport International Competition in the combi freestyle class 1.

Hong Kong, China’s, Susanna Tze Yan So and partner Pui Yin Lee were second on their most recent international appearance in the combi standard. They were joined on the podium at the Beigang 2024 International Competition by Man Chun Choi and Evina Wai King Wong in third.

Also from Hong Kong, Matthew Chun Yin Yu finished third in the men’s single freestyle in Beigang.

What is happening and when?

Competition at Astana 2024 gets underway on Monday (16 December) with the combi freestyle class 1 and 2. The first day will also feature the men’s and women’s single freestyle and the duo and combi standard class 1 and 2.

Tuesday (17 December) will feature the duo and combi Latin class 1 and 2 as well as the men’s and women’s singles.