PHOTOS: the national dance champion of India trains in Hungary: here is her incredible story

Photo: Jhinuk Alvares

The national dance champion of India, who holds the title since two consecutive years, Jhinuk Alvares, wrote her unbelievable story about how she came to Hungary to train with 15 times Hungarian Champions Martina Váradi and Andrea Silvestri. We share her story with you unchanged below.

A dance champion from India

Did you know that dance is now part of the Olympics? Dancesport- The World DanceSport Federation coined the term “DanceSport” in the early 1980s. DanceSport also previously known as competitive ballroom dancing is a form of physical activity where couples from all across the globe compete in Latin American and Standard Ballroom Dancing.

Even in today’s modern time, where the scope of internet has made the world so small, this type of dancing is absolutely unknown to one of the biggest populations in the world: India. India despite being one of the most diverse and culturally enriched countries in the world, still has only 1 active athletic couple representing the entire country and placing in the Top 150 World Ranking in WDSF Ranking List of athletes.

Photo: Jhinuk Alvares

This is the story of my journey and how I couldn’t have done this without the support of another country, that country being Hungary. The Hungarian Dancesport Federation has been actively working towards the progress and promotion of dancesport since the 1960’s. Currently it has over 200 active International WDSF Athletes and many more at the National and State Level.

The Organizational Body is very active and takes a keen interest in promoting and expanding the sport domestically and also abroad. My partner Pop Vlad Alex who is a Hungarian citizen and has previously danced for Hungary was the connecting point between this Indo- Hungarian collaboration.

Photo: Jhinuk Alvares

She trains with the best of Hungary

The Hungarian Federation gave their approval for his transfer to the Indian Federation and to my suprise also presented me with a chance to dance in Hungary. With the help of the Hungarian Dancesport Federation (MTASZ Magyar TáncSport Szakszövetség) my dream of training and competing in competitions finally came true. Training with 15 times Hungarian Champions Martina Varadi and Andrea Silvestri would not have been possible had I not received my sports visa invitation letter to come and train in Budapest, Hungary.

Photo: Jhinuk Alvares

I’ve actively been competing in Europe since 2021. In Hungary I have represented India in multiple International Open competitions like WDSF International Open Kistelek, WDSF Rising Stars Szombathely, WDSF International Open Szeged to name a few. I have successfully achieved my best results as a quarter finalist in Kiskunmajsa International Open 2022 in Hungary.

I have also competed in other parts of Europe including Germany, Austria, Romania, Slovakia, Greece, Serbia, Macedonia and Bosnia & Herzegovina. My latest achievements have been ranking 4th in Brčko, Bosnia International Open Gala Night 2023. As the current National Champion of India, and holding my title since two consecutive years it’s extremely difficult to travel back and forth from India to Hungary but the growth and progress that I’ve made training in Hungary with the support of my trainers is very important for being a competitive athlete. In India unfortunately there is no system for serious and effective training to be a dancesport athlete. The lack of information and awareness about this dancestyle also being a competitive sport is what keeps India away from the world of Dancesport. The absence of facilities for training and the difficulty in finding appropriate trainers with sufficient competitive experience in the past is what drove me to come to this part of the world to continue my journey as an athlete.

I wish that after experiencing the life of a dancesport athlete, I can change the course of events for my country in the future and guide it towards the tedious but fruitful path of dancesport.

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