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For the first time in 100 years, Ukrainians have won the Blackpool Dance Festival

For the first time in 100 years, Ukrainians have won the Blackpool Dance Festival

Katerina Melnychenko Deputy Editor-in-Chief

01 June 2026, 10:45

For the first time in 100 years, Ukrainians have won the Blackpool Dance Festival — Portanenko and Kolyada’s triumph in the festival’s 100th year is being hailed as a significant milestone for the Ukrainian school of dance.

The Ukrainian professional ballroom couple Stanislav Portanenko and Natalia Kolyada have won gold at the Blackpool Dance Festival in the UK. This marks the first victory for a professional couple from Ukraine in the Professional Ballroom category in the legendary festival’s 100-year history.

Stanislav Portanenko and Natalia Kolyada have been crowned champions of the Blackpool Dance Festival in the Professional Ballroom category.

This year’s festival marks its 100th anniversary. According to the publication, it was in this anniversary year that a professional couple from Ukraine won gold for the first time in one of the most prestigious categories.

The Blackpool Dance Festival is traditionally held in the UK – at the famous Winter Gardens complex in the resort of Blackpool.

Why this is a historic event

The Blackpool Dance Festival is considered the oldest and most prestigious ballroom dance competition in the world.

For professional couples, victory in the Professional Ballroom category is one of the highest achievements in their career.

That is why Portanenko and Kolyada’s triumph in the festival’s 100th year is hailed as a significant milestone for the Ukrainian dance school.

What people are saying about the victory

On social media, the author of a post, who referred to Nataliia Kolyada as her sister, reacted emotionally to the Ukrainian couple’s result.

“Unfortunately, the media aren’t writing about this. And they shouldn’t have. A historic victory for Ukraine! At the legendary Blackpool Dance Festival, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, a professional Ukrainian couple has won for the first time. Stanislav Portanenko and Natalia Kolyada became champions in the Professional Ballroom category. She’s my sister! What a tough journey they’ve been through! And how much more lies ahead! I’m proud of you and believe in you!” she wrote.

What is known about the Blackpool Dance Festival

The Blackpool Dance Festival is a legendary international ballroom dancing competition that brings together top couples from around the world every year.

For a century, victory in Blackpool has been regarded as a mark of the highest level of mastery in professional ballroom dancing.

For Ukraine, Stanislav Portanenko and Natalia Kolyada’s gold medal was not only a sporting achievement but also a significant milestone on the international dance scene.

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