It was a proud day for the founder and Chief
Trainer of ‘Dance Illusions’, Dr Martin D’Costa, as
his students created a new record of winning 19
medals at the debut edition of India Open Latin
and Ballroom DanceSport Championship 2016
recently held at NCPA in Mumbai. The students
of this exclusive ballroom school represented
the state at this championship. Organised by
Indian DanceSport Council which is recognised
by the World Dance Council, the event tested the
participants for their skills in Samba, Jive, Salsa,
Bachata, Cha Cha and Rumba.
The event saw the reigning national Latin
champions, Seby Gauncar and Ivanna Gomes, give
some splendid performances at the event. The
duo won gold medals in Samba, Jive, Cha Cha and
Rumba. Ivanna says that winning this championship
was like a dream come true for her. “I was waiting
for this moment for the last two years. I am so happy
that our hours of practice and hard work have
finally paid off. Hats off to my partner Seby for all
his efforts; it wouldn’t have been possible without
him,” she expresses. Seby feels that working hard
towards your goal is the only way you can become
successful. “There were many obstacles, mistakes
and people who doubted me along the way. But I
never gave up. Working hard is fun. I get satisfaction
by pushing myself to the limit. I prefer to work
hard silently because it’s the success that makes
all the noise in the end,” he maintains. Both Seby
and Ivanna add that they owe their success to their
mentors, Dr Martin and his wife Flossy who have
always helped them perform better.
Dr Martin’s team won 7 gold medals, 3 silver,
5 bronze, and two each for 4th and 5th place. The
rest of the winners who made their mark in the
championship are: Senior category – Neha Malhotra
and Deodatta Gajbhiye – Gold (Salsa) and 5th
place (Jive), Nelson Menezes and Anna Kaarina J
Costa – Silver (Jive), Bronze (Cha Cha) and 4th place
(Samba); Adult – Nelson Menezes and Viosha Cruz –
5th place (Jive), Cinidia Dias and Rahul Singh Bronze
(Jive), Agnelo D’souza and Julia D’costa – Gold
(Waltz), Milroy Quadros and Dr Linoshka D’silva –
Gold (Cha Cha); Junior Category – Cyder and Cinidia
Dias – Gold (Salsa), Gold (Jive), Bronze (Cha Cha),
Bronze (Samba) and 4th place (Bachata), Muskan
Prabhugaonker and Mikayla Fernandes – Gold (Cha
Cha), Silver (Samba), Silver (Salsa) and Bronze (Jive).
This was the first ballroom dance championship for
Dr Linoshka D’silva; she describes her experience as a
“truly amazing one.” She says, “Being a newcomer, I was
very nervous and apprehensive. However, my dance
partner, Milroy Quadros, was very encouraging and
helped me calm my nerves. I realised how important
the practice sessions were, for when you’re on that
stage, even though your mind might forget steps out of
nervousness, your legs remember them, owing to the
long hours of hard work and dedication.”
