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Dancer Profiles
Xingmin and Katerina Lu: Our IDSF World Senior I Standard Championship Finalists
Xingmin and Katerina Lu: Our IDSF World Senior I Standard Championship Finalists
Interview by Patricia Applegate
![[IDSF_Sr1_2008]](../images/profiles/idsfSR12k8.jpg)
The Greater NY Chapter of USA Dance has some exciting news to share about our top Senior I couple. On Feb. 9, Xingmin and Katerina Lu placed 5th out of more than 40 couples at the IDSF World Senior I Standard 2008 in Antwerp, Belgium. With such an amazing achievement from a local couple, we wanted to hear from them about their experience:
Q: Katerina and Xingmin, we are all so proud of your achievement in Belgium. How did you feel when you made the final?
A: We were extremely happy to get into the final. We actually went and checked the recall twice since we did not get a very good result the year before. And our names were there, in black and white. It was just so exciting.
Q: Was this the first time you competed at an IDSF World Competition?
A: No, this is the second time for us. We placed 15th in 2007. So, you see, this is a huge leap for us.
Q: For those who don't know the process, can you explain how a couple becomes eligible to compete in a World Competition, and how it is different from other competitions?
A: Unlike open competitions, where couples are free to participate, the World Championship is by invitation. Each country sends its best two couples as representatives. To participate the World Championship, a couple must win one of the top 2 spots in the National Championship of their country.
Q: How long have you been competing together?
A: We have been competing as an amateur couple since November 2005.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about your training? How many hours a week do you practice, how often do you have coachings, and who are your coaches?
A: We practice 5 to 6 days a week, 1 ½ to 2 hours each time. We take coachings once or twice a week. Our main coaches are Jonathan Wilkins and Hazel Newberry right now. But we have taken many lessons with different coaches in the New York area, like Giampiero Giannico, Erminio Stefano. We also take coachings with coaches from abroad whenever we can.
Q: Do you have special exercises and diet you follow to prepare for a big competition?
A: Not really. But in general, we watch what we eat. We do light weight lifting and aerobics in addition to regular practice.
Q: You have really helped to elevate the level of Senior I competitions. Have you noticed any changes in the Senior I field over the past few years?
A: The level of dancing has been improved dramatically in the last few years. The group also attracts more and more younger competitors.
Q: What do you enjoy most about dancing and competing as a married couple?
A: We love the fact that we enjoy the same activities and share the same passion for dancing.
Q: What words of advice would you have for other competitors who are trying to improve their dancing?
A: Work hard. Be consistent and be serious about your goals even though this is just a hobby.
Q: What is next for you: can you share your goals for the rest of 2008?
A: Right now, we are preparing for the USA Dance National Championship. We would also like to keep or improve our results in all the major competitions in North America and Europe.
Thanks and congratulations, Katerina and Xingmin. We are cheering for you!
© 2008 NYUSABDA. All rights reserved.
The Greater NY Chapter of USA Dance has some exciting news to share about our top Senior I couple. On Feb. 9, Xingmin and Katerina Lu placed 5th out of more than 40 couples at the IDSF World Senior I Standard 2008 in Antwerp, Belgium. With such an amazing achievement from a local couple, we wanted to hear from them about their experience:
Q: Katerina and Xingmin, we are all so proud of your achievement in Belgium. How did you feel when you made the final?
A: We were extremely happy to get into the final. We actually went and checked the recall twice since we did not get a very good result the year before. And our names were there, in black and white. It was just so exciting.
Q: Was this the first time you competed at an IDSF World Competition?
A: No, this is the second time for us. We placed 15th in 2007. So, you see, this is a huge leap for us.
Q: For those who don't know the process, can you explain how a couple becomes eligible to compete in a World Competition, and how it is different from other competitions?
A: Unlike open competitions, where couples are free to participate, the World Championship is by invitation. Each country sends its best two couples as representatives. To participate the World Championship, a couple must win one of the top 2 spots in the National Championship of their country.
Q: How long have you been competing together?
A: We have been competing as an amateur couple since November 2005.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about your training? How many hours a week do you practice, how often do you have coachings, and who are your coaches?
A: We practice 5 to 6 days a week, 1 ½ to 2 hours each time. We take coachings once or twice a week. Our main coaches are Jonathan Wilkins and Hazel Newberry right now. But we have taken many lessons with different coaches in the New York area, like Giampiero Giannico, Erminio Stefano. We also take coachings with coaches from abroad whenever we can.
Q: Do you have special exercises and diet you follow to prepare for a big competition?
A: Not really. But in general, we watch what we eat. We do light weight lifting and aerobics in addition to regular practice.
Q: You have really helped to elevate the level of Senior I competitions. Have you noticed any changes in the Senior I field over the past few years?
A: The level of dancing has been improved dramatically in the last few years. The group also attracts more and more younger competitors.
Q: What do you enjoy most about dancing and competing as a married couple?
A: We love the fact that we enjoy the same activities and share the same passion for dancing.
Q: What words of advice would you have for other competitors who are trying to improve their dancing?
A: Work hard. Be consistent and be serious about your goals even though this is just a hobby.
Q: What is next for you: can you share your goals for the rest of 2008?
A: Right now, we are preparing for the USA Dance National Championship. We would also like to keep or improve our results in all the major competitions in North America and Europe.
Thanks and congratulations, Katerina and Xingmin. We are cheering for you!
© 2008 NYUSABDA. All rights reserved.