Chinese Dancers Yan Bangbang and Du Yujun Gear Up for TWG 2025 Chengdu
Chinese dancers Yan Bangbang and Du Yujun are set to make a strong impression at the 12th World DanceSport Festival, which will be held in Chengdu from September 21-22.
The duo, who began competing internationally in 2018, triumphed in the Latin World Open during the 11th World Dancesport Festival in 2023. Just over a month ago, they achieved their first-ever victory at a DanceSport Latin Grand Slam tournament in Wuxi, China.
In an interview with The World Games, Yan Bangbang and Du Yujun share their story, including the impact The World Games 2022 had on them and their preparation strategies for The World Games 2025.
The couple took part in The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama, and finished 9th in the competition.
“Birmingham was our first international match after a very difficult period. Our biggest regret after three years of not appearing on the international schedule is that our minds were ready but our bodies were not ready, and this will be fully made up for in Chengdu, where we will train our bodies like steel to become the best competitors on the field,” Yan Bangbang says.
Du Yujun adds, “The most unforgettable thing for me from The World Games 2022 is that my partner and I participated in an international competition for the first time after experiencing the epidemic for three years. For me, the floor lighting and all the things were so fresh, so I remember this competition vividly, as if it was only yesterday. I think I should apply this fresh feeling to every competition and every dance. It makes me feel more alive.”
The next edition of The World Games will be held in the couple’s home country in Chengdu, China. Du Yujun feels it’s lucky to have such a huge event in China, but admits that it brings pressure, too.
“With the support of the country and everyone, there is a certain pressure, because everyone has expectations for you, and I will be more demanding of myself. But this pressure will also become the driving force for me to move forward, so I am also very grateful for everyone’s expectations for us.”
“Of course, The Games being in China brings a lot of pressure on us because we want to present our best because we are representing our country,” Yan Bangbang agrees.
Describing their training routine and preparation strategies as the couple gear up for The World Games 2025, Bangbang says, “Our regular training is every Monday to Friday. We spend a lot of time, maybe seven or eight hours in the training room, and we also do a lot of complementary training. We decided to go to ballet classes, flamingo classes, Pilates classes, and we also went to the thought teacher, to help us prepare more maturely for each competition, not only in our bodies but also in our minds. We also have plans to learn Tai Ji more professionally and integrate Chinese culture into our dance.”
Yujun adds, “We plan the content of our daily practice together. I will also practice swimming and ballet, and of course use the gym. The two of us will also go to see excellent live dance performances, and go to the Flamenco classes to learn, but the most important thing is how to make everyday practice at high quality, not just a practice.”
Bangbang has great aspirations for The World Games 2025 and the future beyond. “My competition goal is of course very clear, I hope to win the world championship! My next goal is to win at The World Games and the World Championship in 2025, to achieve the Grand Slam. But my artistic expectation for myself is to dance like an artist, dancing like all the dancers I admire. Hopefully, after I retire, people will remember me for the art I created and not just for my achievements.”
As for Yujun, she says, “Personally, my dream and goal has always been to become an outstanding dancer, to be a leader of an era, to lead the next generation. Of course I want to be a world champion, that’s for sure, and to be a really good dancer and competitor.”
Source: IWGA
Edited by Sang Yarong
