Over three days at the Spoločenský Pavilón single dancers and couples will compete in freestyle, standard and Latin with just one target in mind – a world title.

Competition will get underway with a bang on Friday (21 November) as singles and couples get the chance to display their creativity and artistry in the freestyle.

You can watch the Kosice 2025 Para Dance Sport World Championships live here and follow @paradance on Instagram and Facebook for updates, interviews and highlights.

It is in the combi freestyle class 1 that hosts Slovakia have one of their biggest medal hopes in dashing couple Helena Kasicka and Martin Solc. The defending champions from 2023 will be hoping for a home advantage, especially against Israel’s Margalit Tomer and Halef Orel. Tomer and Orel claimed the European title in 2024 whilst Kasicka and Solc took silver.

Fans can expect an equally impressive show in the singles, especially from Kasicka who is also the reigning world champion in the women’s freestyle class 1.

In the men’s freestyle class 2 all three medallists from two years ago return and have been equally impressive since.

Mexico’s Carlos Derik Olvera Sumano stunned the judges at the previous edition and continues to be one of the dancers to beat. Ukraine’s Ivan Sivak, the silver medallist from 2023, is regarded as one of the most creative dancers on the circuit and will no doubt be displaying his signature move of removing the wheels on his wheelchair as part of his performance. Another Mexican, Jesus Yermain Fernandez Angeles, took bronze last time around and returns for another attempt on gold.

Mexico could be staging a real celebration at the end of day one if Haydee Guadalupe Reynosa Guerrero medals like she did last time in the women’s freestyle class 2.

In the men’s class 1, Türkiye’s Baris Bayraktar will be aiming to improve on his silver from two years ago.

Saturday will be highlighted by the World Championships debut of the powerchair competition. The class has been in development in recent years and, since World Abilitysport took over the governance of Para dance sport two years ago, has been increasingly well-supported by countries such as Great Britain, Slovenia and Finland who have placed a focus on athletes with high support needs.

Slovenia’s Amir Alibabic has consistently topped the podium in previous events and is definitely a one to watch in the singles conventional and freestyle.

Also on Saturday, Kasicka will take to the floor again in the women’s single conventional freestyle as the world title holder.

In the afternoon, couples will reclaim the spotlight as the combi standard class 1 and 2 takes place. South Korea’s Jeongbu Bae and Hye-Jeong Jang are the defending champions in the class 1. They will be joined by 2023 silver medallists Tuuli Harju and Timo Pyykkonen of Finland.

Rounding off the action on Sunday are the juniors, the combi standard class 1 and 2 and the duo and combi Latin classes 1 and 2.

In the duo Latin class 1, Snizhana Kernychna and Volodymyr Kernychnyi will be aiming to improve on their silver from 2023. In the class 2 Pawel Karpinski has gained a new partner since winning bronze two years ago – Katarznya Nowokunska.

The 2025 Para Dance Sport World Championships run from 21-23 November in Kosice, the first time the city has hosted the event. There will be an Opening Ceremony on Friday and a gala on Saturday as the planned celebrations barely end.

About Para dance sport

In Para dance, the term ‘duo’ refers to two dancers competing using wheelchairs. ‘Combi’ means a dancer competing using a wheelchair with a standing partner.

Class 1 athletes have higher levels of impairments compared to class 2.

To broaden the appeal and accessibility of Para dance to as many people as possible, World Para Dance Sport has rolled-out a series of changes and test events in recent years at lower-level events, such as World Cups and International Competitions. These include mixed-gender couples and ambulant freestyle events.

More information, including free training in Para dance sport, is available at paradancesport.org.