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News from the Executive Committee

This is where you will find announcements from the Executive Committee, some of which are very important, so keep an eye out! For all news, click the button below: ….

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Winners – Photo

Jack & Jill Category : Follower 1st　Carolina Alberici （ARG） 2nd　Lavender（KOR） 3rd　YOKO（JPN） Jack &[…]

CACA2025_- | 8月 1, 2025 | 8:38 PM

PISTA Division Semifinal Results

CACA2025_- | 7月 14, 2025 | 10:43 AM

STAGE Division Qualifying & Semifinal Results

・Qualifying ・Semifinal

CACA2025_- | 7月 14, 2025 | 10:41 AM

7/13 PISTA, STAGE division Final Results

CACA2025_- | 7月 14, 2025 | 2:31 AM

Asian Championships History

2004~2025

Nowadays, many countries around the world, and in Asia alone, hold regional championships connected to each other. One year after the first World Championships in 2003, the city of Buenos Aires requested that the Asian Championships in Tokyo be the first official competition to be started in the world!
　In particular, the Korean pair JAVIER & FAI, who came in second in the stage division at the first Asian Championships, won second place at the World Championships, and the champion pair Ryo & Hazuki from Japan won second place at the following World Championships in 2005. In both cases, the talented pair was highly acclaimed even in their home country of Argentina.
　Hiroshi & Kyoko, who were Pista Asian Champions the previous year, stayed and trained at Buenos Aires for a year, and in 2009, they became World Champions in the Pista category of the World Championship. This was the first time that a couple from outside of Argentina became world champions in this category. And In 2010, Japanese and Argentinean Chizuko & Diego became World Stage champions, and in 2016, Japanese-born Nisei and Argentinean couple Axel & Agostina became stage world champions! …. and they have become prominent in the world as well…….

Last year, the World Championships moved to the huge Movistar Arena in BsAs, where only 40 Pista and 20 Stage couples are eligible to participate in the Arena’s finals. But only the Asian and European champions (Pista and Stage) will get a direct entry to this final. (In 2025, the final in Arena was abruptly changed to May 12.) The Asian Championships have been held since one year after the 2003 World Championships, and the World Champions have been invited to participate in the national tour in Japan, and their efforts to spread the whole event, along with the World Championships, to the world have been recognized. As a result, not only the seeded champions but also many strong Asian champions were selected for the finals. This year, the venue will change again, but let’s win the competition at the internationally acclaimed Asian Championships and challenge the world finals with confidence! (See separate section in this news section for the date and location change of the finals!)

Heartfelt words

We are delighted and proud that the Asian Tango Dance Championships will be held again this year!!!

Ambassador of the Argentine Republic in Japan

Eduardo Tempone

The Embassy of the Argentine Republic is delighted to participate once again in this new edition of the Tango Dance Asian Championship. This event celebrates the vitality of tango in this region.

As someone who holds tango dear to my heart, I take immense joy and pride in representing Argentina, especially in a country where this cultural expression is not only preserved and celebrated but also continually evolving.
Tango has a deep resonance in Japan and across Asia, which is truly impressive. Enthusiasts, dancers, and musicians travel to Argentina each year, drawn by their love for the genre. Many also take the opportunity to learn from visiting Argentine maestros and orchestras, ensuring that the tradition is preserved and enriched. While these exchanges may be challenging to quantify, they stand as a testament to the remarkable global impact that tango continues to have.
This year in Japan has been bustling with activity, as numerous Argentine orchestras have visited and performed across the country. Following in the footsteps of the greats, we also celebrate a special milestone: the sixtieth anniversary of Osvaldo Pugliese’s historic first tour in Japan. This event significantly strengthened the connection between Japan and tango, leaving a lasting legacy among local musicians and audiences.
Tango’s journey in Japan would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication of institutions like LATINA, which has been instrumental in promoting Argentine tango in Japan since the 1950s. Since 2004, LATINA has also organized the Tango Dance Asian Championship, helping it grow each year and nurturing the community of tango enthusiasts in Asia.
I would like to acknowledge the Government of the City of Buenos Aires, represented this year by Mr. Martín Frosio and Mr. Gustavo Cuevas, as well as the Japanese Federation of Argentine Tango, co-organizers of this event. I also wish to express my gratitude to the artists who will captivate us throughout the competition with their exceptional talent.
Lastly, to all participants: may this gathering be more than just a contest; may it serve as an opportunity to connect with the true essence of tango and experience the profound joy it inspires. I embrace you all.

Directora General de Festivales y Noches Culturales, Ministerio de Cultura de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires

Débora Rajtman

We proudly celebrate the 21st Asian Tango Championship and express our special gratitude to Latina Company for their efforts in promoting this wonderful event. Over the past 20 years, tango has become a true symbol of culture, strengthening the bond between Japan and Argentina and spreading its artistic expression throughout the region.
The Asian Championship has been a pioneering event in the region and is now an important venue for the growth and international expansion of tango.
We wish all participating couples success and hope they will enjoy this experience to the fullest with the passion and respect that tango embodies. We eagerly await the winners of the Tango Festival and World Championship to be held in Buenos Aires.

Asian Champion-ship Categories

There are two types of categories in the Asian Championships: the official category, which is directly related to the World Championships, and the category exclusive to the Asian Championships. In the official event, there are two categories: the Pista category, in which 10 to 12 dancers dance together and each pair competes on the excellence of their dance, their understanding of the music, and the beauty of their steps; and the Stage category, in which couples freely choose a piece of music and compete on the beauty of their dance with their own unique choreography. There are also the Milonga, Waltz, and Jack & Jill categories, which are unique to the Asian Championships and are not related to the World Championships.The champions of both official divisions are seeded to the finals of the World Championships.

Milonga Category

Like the Pista, it is judged in couples. However, in contrast to the rather strict Pista, the tempo of this milonga is a bit faster, and the rules are more flexible and liberal than those of the Pista. In each fellowship’s milonga, couples who are proud of their steps also compete their skills. They dance more freely than in the pista and compete for points.

Walz Category

The waltz is also a music that came to South America from Europe and developed uniquely in each country. In Argentina, a unique waltz with a tango atmosphere grew up, and here, people compete to express the waltz that has been danced in the tango world.

Jack & Jill Category

This category is judged as individuals. All dancers, male or female, may participate as either a leader or a follower, and after they go on stage, their partner will be chosen by lottery (various methods will be used). 3 rotations per round – 3 dances per round with a different leader/follower (chosen at random).

Señor Category

If one of the couple is over 50 years old, they are also eligible to participate in this category. As in any other dance, the techniques that are unique to the elderly have their own appeal. The Senor category is the most popular, as it fully incorporates this choreography.

-Official Category-

PISTA Category

Pista is the most popular tango dance and is a competition for couples. The dancers dance counterclockwise around an oval lane on the stage, never leaving the lane and never returning in the opposite direction, to compete in the beauty of tango dancing. It is the oldest dance style in the world, but new styles are being created and competed.The Asian Champion is seeded to the final of the World Championships.

STAGE Category

In the Esenario (stage) division, one couple will decide on a song and choreograph to that song. Movements and elements not strictly related to tango are allowed. However, it is necessary to include classical tango figurines such as ocho, hilo, etc. In the championships, they are the very first to be noticed and the last to compete in championship. The Asian Champion will be seeded for the final of the World Championships.

Schedule and Venue of Asian Championships

Regarding the dates and venues for the Asian Championships, a venue familiar to us for the past several years could not be booked this year. Because of this, we will have two venues this year.

July 12, 2025 (sat)
12:00 Open(Scheduled time）
Tokyo-Shibuya　AOYAMA SPIRAL HALL

The hall of the Spiral cultural complex in the heart of Minami Aoyama, where the Japanese fashion industry is toned, was funded by Wacoal in 1985, and is a wonderful space that has become a center of art and culture, and has been the source of many new youth cultures. This year, the preliminaries and finals for the Milonga, Waltz, Jack & Jill, and Señor categories, as well as the Pista preliminaries for the official category, will all be held at this location.

This year, the competition will start at 12:00 p.m. We will have preliminary and finals for the Walz, Milonga, Jack&Jill, and Señor Categories and even the Pista preliminary for the official Categories.

AOYAMA　SPIRAL HALL

5-6-23 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062 TEL: 03-3498-1171

July 13, 2025 (sun)
12:30 Open(Scheduled time）
Tokyo-Kamata　Ota City Hall APRICO

This year, we could not get our usual venue, but a large hall just a short walk from Kamata Station, which is located between Haneda Airport and Shinagawa. The stage is large, so please come and join us! After the second day of the festival, tango lovers from all over Asia will gather at a venue 10 minutes away by train,

In this theater we will be holding the Pista Category Semi-Final & Final, and Stage Category Preliminaries, semi-finals, and Finals,Scheduled to bigin at 12:30 pm. The start time for each will be announced as soon as the number of contestants has been finalized

OTA CITY HALL APRICO

37-37-3, Kamata 5-chome, Ota City、Tokyo 144-0052　Phone: 03-5744-1600

Fare Structure

Entry fees for each section are shown in the table. Please note that all entrants will receive a free admission ticket for the day of the event (standing on the 12th, but if you would like a seat, you will need to purchase one separately). On the 13th, unreserved seats will be provided free of charge, but if you wish to have reserved or premium seats, you will need to purchase them separately.

List of Fees

A. Official Pista, Stage Section
Each ¥20,000 (1pair)

B. Waltz, Milonga,&Senor Section
Each ¥15,000 (1 pair)

C. Jack & Jill Section
¥8,000 (per person)

To the Application Page

Piar Category

Jack& Jill

If you are a foreigner and would like to reserve a seat
Regardless of whether you live in Japan or overseas, please send an e-mail with the ticket type and number of tickets to the following e-mail address.

latina@latina.co.jp

◆For contestants and spectators

Contestants will be allowed to watch the competition.　
Please note that due to the limited number of seats available on the first day, it will be standing only. If you wish to reserve a seat, you will need to purchase another ticket, which will be offered at a discounted price to those who have entered the event. Please contact us if you would like to use your seat.
(General reserved seats and premium seats will be discounted by 2,000 yen each.)

For the second day, we plan to offer “general reserved seats”. If you would like to watch the event in the premium seats, you can do so with an additional payment of 2,000 yen. Please indicate this in the remarks column when you submit your entry.

Basically, you can watch any category you have entered.
However, if you have entered only JJ, ML, SN, or WL without entering the Pista Division and wish to view the second day of the event, you will need to purchase a another tichet (if you prefer to stand,no additional charge. Standing is only available on Day1)

If you have entered only the stage section and wish to sit in the audience on the first day, you will need to purchase a separate ticket.(If you prefer to stand, there is no additional charge. Standing is only available on Day 1.)
As above, we will offer a 1000 yen discount (1st day: 7000 yen → 6000 yen for Premium, 5000 yen → 4000 yen for General), so please let us know! If you have entered the Pista section, you will be able to watch the show for two days without paying an additional.

◆For only visitors
About tickets_Ticket sales will start on May 1. Tickets are being printed now and will be shipped as soon as printing is completed.Please note that the venue for Day 1 and Day 2 will be different this year.

Day 1 (Spiral Hall)
All seats reserved
Row 1 and 2 “Premium Seats” 7,000 yen
Other reserved seats “General Reserved Seats” 5,000 yen

Day 2 (APRICO Main Hall)
Rows 1-6 “Premium Seats” 8,000 yen
Seats other than the above “General Reserved Seats” 6,000 yen

For those who wish to have good seats for both days, we will prepare a special premium set.7,000 yen + 8,000 yen = 15,000 yen, but will be sold for 13,000 yen　

Regulations for the Asian Tango Dance Championship 2025

(Regulations for the 2025 Buenos ires Tango Festibal and World Championship Official International Preliminary.)

The present regulations apply to all Official International Preliminaries of the Buenos Aires. Tango Festival and World Championship to be held in 2025.

REGARDING THE CONTEST

The Tango Dance Competition (“THE COMPETITION”) will include the categories Tango de Pista and/or Tango de Escenario. Both categories will be open to participation by amateurs and professionals as well.

REGARDING THE ORGANIZATION::

The organizing entity (“THE ORGANIZATION”) of the Official Preliminary Competition for the Buenos Aires Tango Festival and World Championship 2025 will be solely responsible for the execution of the event and may charge fees for both the registration of participating couples and enrollment in workshops, masterclasses, or other scheduled activities. Therefore, THE ORGANIZATION must communicate the details regarding enrollment dates,methods, prizes, and any additional information beyond what is established in these regulations.
Notwithstanding this, the highest authority of the competition—regarding compliance with all provisions of these regulations—will be the General Direction of Festivals and Cultural Nights of the Ministry of Culture of the Government of the City of Buenos Aires
(“FESTIVALES BA”).
In this regard, any activity related to the execution of the Preliminary Competition must adhere to these regulations.

REGARDING ENROLLMENT:

Couples consisting of individuals over 18 years old as of the start date of the local competition may enroll, provided they can credibly prove, with legally valid documents, at least one (1) year of residence within the area of influence of the Preliminary.

No person may register more than once in the same category, but may do so in different categories, with either the same or a different partner.

If both members of the couple are residents of different cities within the area of influence of the Preliminary, they must choose and specify which city they will represent.

The following individuals will be ineligible to compete: staff of the General Direction of Festivals and Cultural Nights of the Ministry of Culture of the Government of the City ofBuenos Aires (DGFNC), organizers of the Official Preliminaries, judges of the Buenos Aires Tango Dance World Championship and its preliminaries, or the City Dance Championship; sponsors and/or staff of companies sponsoring the Preliminary; or any person with a permanent or temporary connection to the DGFNC.
Participants or couples who have been disqualified or eliminated in previous editions, whether from a Preliminary Competition or the Dance World Championship, will also be ineligible to compete, especially in cases where the elimination was due to serious violations of the competition rules.

REGARDING ACCREDITATION:

For accreditation purposes, all registrants must attend on the date and time specified by the Organization of the Official Preliminary. Presentation of the original national identification card (ID) or a valid passport with current residence is mandatory. At that time, registrants will be assigned a number and informed about the dates, locations, and approximate times of their performances in the different stages of the corresponding category.

Registrants who do not attend the designated date and time for accreditation will not be allowed to participate in the championship. Delays will only be considered for force majeure reasons, properly justified with documentation, except in cases of widely known situations.
Once this phase is completed, competitors will no longer be able to complete their
accreditation.

At the time of accreditation, registrants must present the registration form along with any additional information required by the organization. In this form, they must also indicate whether, in the 6 months prior to the championship, they have had any professional, personal, or labor relationship with any of the competition judges. This includes having an emotional or personal relationship with one or more of the judges, taking private lessons from one or more of the judges, presenting a Tango de Escenario choreography created, reviewed, or prepared with one or more of the judges, having one or both dancers of the
couple hired by one or more of the judges, or being hired by any of them to participate in the same event. This declaration will be verified by the overseer with the judges to define possible recusals.

Furthermore, in the case of Tango de Escenario, competing couples may not present choreographies created, reviewed, or prepared by any member of the Organization of the Official Preliminary.

All information provided at the time of accreditation will be considered an affidavit. Any contradictions found afterward, following the signing, may result in penalties such as score reduction, disqualification from the competition, or any other measures deemed appropriate.

The national identification card (ID) and passport must be presented at accreditation before
each day of the competition.

All participants in the Championship agree to take part in the various events and activities
organized by the Organization of the Official Preliminary—provided they are called upon for
such purposes—such as press conferences, interviews on radio and television programs
(both broadcast and cable), digital media, etc.

The competition, in both categories, may take place in three (3) phases (according to the schedule set by the Organization):
　　A. Qualification: All registered couples will participate.
　　B. Semifinal: Couples selected in the qualification stage will compete.
　　C. Final: The couples chosen in the semifinal will participate.
At the time of the competition, at least ten (10) couples must perform in the qualifying rounds of the Tango de Escenario category and at least twenty (20) in the Tango de Pista category for the competition to be considered official (regardless of the number of registrants).
Otherwise, the event will no longer be considered official, and the winning couple will not be qualified to compete in the Buenos Aires Tango Festival and World Championship 2025.

In the Tango de Pista category, couples will compete in group performances, dancing to three (3) recorded songs. The music may be proposed by the Organization but must be agreed upon with the overseer from FESTIVALES BA. The judges’ recommendations will be particularly taken into account in this regard.

In the Tango de Escenario category, each couple will compete individually, dancing to a song of their choice. The song must not exceed a maximum duration of four (4) minutes and must be submitted to the Organization in digital format (mp3 and via a USB drive) during the accreditation process. At that time, participants must also declare the name and surname of the choreographer of the choreography they will present. Couples may present different choreographies in the various stages of the competition

Couples may be disqualified if they:
A. Fail to comply with the regulatory provisions.
B. Make any political or religious statements (by any means) during the competition that could be offensive to the audience or the Organization, or 　　　affect the event’s development.
C. Engage in any unethical behavior or improper acts that tarnish the image of the Preliminary and/or the Dance World Championship 2025, or cause 　displeasure to the audience.
D. Commit any physical and/or verbal aggression against any person, whether a participant, jury member, staff member, or member of general public, 　within or outside the event’s premises.

In the presence of any of these circumstances, THE ORGANIZATION and FESTIVALES BA may jointly decide to disqualify or eliminate the couple from the competition.

Competitors may take group classes or seminars taught by the judges, but they may not take private lessons from any jury member while participating in the competition.

REGARDING THE JURY

In both categories, the jury will consist of a minimum of four (4) judges, who, by acknowledging and accepting the competition regulations—and committing to comply with them—will determine the scores of the participating couples. These judges will be appointed by mutual agreement between the Preliminary and the General Direction of Festivals and Cultural Nights of the Ministry of Culture of the Government of the City of Buenos Aires . All jury decisions will be final and non-appealable. By simply registering, participants accept this condition. In case of any doubts or disagreements, the interested party may submit a written presentation (in Spanish or English) to THE ORGANIZATION, and NOT directly to the evaluation panel.

Any judge who has had a professional and/or personal relationship or has been a teacher to any of the participants in the Championship for at least 6 months prior to the event date must abstain from scoring that participant. For this purpose, both the voluntary declarations of the judges and the information provided by the participants when completing the registration form will be taken into account.

In these cases, the organization may choose to appoint a substitute judge or determine the final score of the couple based on the average score given by the judges who have cast their votes. The judges’ scores will be summed, and the total will be divided by the number of votes. The judges’ scores will be summed, and the total will be divided by the number of votes. The judges’ scores will be summed, and the total will be divided by the number of votes. The judges’ scores will be summed, and the total will be divided by the number of judges who have actually cast their votes to obtain the final score for the couple.

The score for each performance will result from the accumulation of points awarded by each judge, based on the following scoring parameters for each stage: Qualification: 5 to 8 points, Semifinal: 6 to 9 points, Final: 7 to 10 points. The total score will be averaged by dividing the sum of the points by the number of judges who have cast their votes.

The Organization may award prizes and special mentions for second and third place and is authorized to make additional mentions as deemed appropriate.

In exceptional cases (such as power outages, incidents on stage, etc.), the jury, together with the overseer, may decide that the contestants perform additional songs to ensure a fair vote, and participants may not refuse to comply.

In the event of a tie for first place in the final stage, the couples will break the tie by either dancing one (1) or two (2) additional songs in the Tango de Pista category or by performing their choreography again in the Stage Tango category, until the jury’s voting determines the winning couple. The scores awarded to each couple during the competition will be made public after the completion of each stage.

REGARDING THE OVERSEER (AUDITOR):

The OVERSEER will be appointed by the DGFNC and will be responsible for ensuring compliance with these regulations. The Overseer will also resolve any unforeseen issues within the framework of the competition and will establish or provide information on any necessary clarifications or interpretative rules.

If a participant or judge presents a complaint, it must be reported to the Overseer within the context of the competition. The decision on the dispute will be made by the Overseer, the institutional representative of the Ministry of Culture, and the Organization of the Preliminary.

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1.TANGO DE PISTA (OPEN, AMATEUR, AND PROFESSIONAL)

Tango de Pista is considered a social dance, where the key elements are improvisation, the embrace, and the connection between the couple

Regarding the Circulation of Rounds: In the Tango de Pista category, couples will dance in rounds and must move continuously in a counterclockwise direction, without stepping backward. If necessary, they may take one or two steps backward, but always within the couple’s space.

The couple must be mindful of and respect both their own space and that of other participants in the round to maintain the flow of circulation. If a couple lingers in one spot and disrupts the flow, the judges may lower their score. In case a couple disrupts the circulation on the dance floor, overtaking them will not be permitted. The judges will decide whether the round should dance one more tango to resolve the issue.

Once formed, the couple must remain together for the duration of the music. To be considered in the correct position, one partner’s body must be continuously embraced by the other, understanding that— in certain figures— this embrace may be flexible. All movements and figures must be executed within the space allowed by the couple’s embrace, ensuring that surrounding couples are not disturbed.

Evaluation Parameters: All figures commonly used in Tango de Pista are allowed, including barridas, sacadas al piso, enrosques, lápices, ganchos, boleos, etc., as well as embellishments, provided they remain within the couple’s own space and do not invade or obstruct the space of surrounding couples. Jumps, figures that result in both feet losing contact with the floor, and any other choreographic elements characteristic of Tango Escenario are strictly prohibited.

The jury will primarily assess each couple’s personal interpretation across different styles. Musicality and elegance in movement will be considered, but above all, the couple’s connection and their ability to express their own personality. This includes adapting dynamics and speed to match the tango being played while respecting its interpretation.

Attire: While attire will not be a criterion for evaluation, participants are encouraged to present themselves with a polished appearance. When selecting clothing, hairstyle, and makeup, it is important to remember that Tango de Pista is a social dance, not a stage performance.

2.TANGO DE ESCENARIO (OPEN, AMATEUR, AND PROFESSIONAL)

Performance :

Each couple will perform an individual presentation to a freely chosen song, which should not exceed four (4) minutes.

If a mistake or problem occurs during the choreography, it is up to the couple’s discretion whether to continue. The jury will evaluate how gracefully and effectively the issue is resolved, but the mistake may not be repeated.

In the event of a technical issue, the organization, together with the jury, will assess
whether the choreography can be repeated at the end of the assigned time slot.

Evaluation Parameters:

Dancing may be performed according to each performer’s personal interpretation of Argentine tango, allowing for movements, figures, and elements not strictly related to traditional tango. However, the choreography must include classic tango figures such ochos, giros, las caminatas largas, boleos, ganchos, and the “abrazo milonguero.” The embrace may be broken, and techniques from other dance styles can be incorporated, provided they are purposeful and enhance the overall performance.

Aerial tricks and movements from other dance genres should not dominate the performance. The couple must maintain floor-based movement sequences throughout the entire performance space. Attire may be considered as a criterion for evaluation.

REGARDING FILM AND PHOTOGRAPHY RECORDING:

The organization of the Preliminary must record all stages of the Championship using any known or emerging medium, including— but not limited to— filming, recording, photography, and digitization, either independently or through authorized third parties, for the purpose of promoting and disseminating the event. The organization must then submit this material to promoting and disseminating the event. The organization must then submit this material to the DGFNC.

By registering for the Championship, participants expressly and irrevocably authorize the use of the recorded material, with no implication of any payment being owed for any reason by the organization of the Preliminary and/or the DGFNC to any individual or organization that might claim rights over the image rights. This authorization also includes— but is not limited to— photographic material that is published and/or made available for promotional, advertising, or other related uses.

REGARDING THE PRIZES:

Each official category will have one winning couple, who will automatically qualify to compete in the Buenos Aires Tango Festival and World Championship 2025 in the corresponding stages.
For Tango de Pista, if the category has more than 40 couples, the winning couple will qualify for the Semifinal. If there are 40 or fewer couples, they will qualify for the Quarterfinals. For Tango de Escenario, if the category has more than 20 couples, the winning couple will
qualify for the Semifinal. If there are 20 or fewer couples, they will qualify for the Quarterfinals of the Buenos Aires Tango Festival and World Championship 2025
Additionally, the winners of both categories from the European Championship and the AsianChampionship will directly qualify for the Final.

All winners will represent the PRELIMINARY in which they earned first place, not the city of origin or residence of their members, without exception. The first prize of each category will be provided by THE ORGANIZATION and will cover all travel and accommodation expenses for both members of the couple. This includes airfare from each member’s city of residence to Buenos Aires, as well as fees or visas, meals, and lodging during the days of the Preliminaries Gala and the stages of the competition that they qualify for at the Buenos Aires Tango Festival and World Championship 2025, and until the couple is no longer in the competition

JUDGE – Official Stage Categories

Preliminary round, semi-final, final

Natalia Hills

Winner of the 1998 Tony Award for Best Choreography, she was a member of the original cast of Forever Tango, which sparked a worldwide tango dance boom. Born in a famous milonga family in Buenos Aires that has been around for three generations, she became famous at the age of 12 when she danced in shows by Copes, Gojeneche, and Stampone. In 2009, she established her own company, “Tanguero del Sur,” in New York. She is one of the most well-known dancers in the world.

Axel Arakaki

Since the age of 13, he has studied various dance styles such as Argentine tango, hip hop, ballet, and jazz dance, and has danced in numerous performances. In 2016, he became a finalist (7th place) in the World Argentine Tango Championship, and in 2017, he finally won the championship and became world champion, partnering with an Argentine female dancer. He then participated in a nationwide tour in Japan with Fabio Hager’s orchestra as part of the Min-On Tango Series “Dramatic Tango” organized by Min-On Music Association. Her mother is Carolina, who runs the Nagoya Argentine Club.

Gonzalo Cuello

In 2006, shortly after the World Championships began, he won third place in the stage division. From 2009, he gained attention for his performance in Miguel Angel Soto’s legendary show, “Tango por Dos.” He later gained further attention by dancing in “Forever Tango,” but he also frequently visits Japan, where he teaches and performs primarily at “Effect” in Takadanobaba. Known for his kind and gentle teaching style, he leads a dancer’s life traveling between Japan and Argentina.

Leonel Mendieta

As evidenced by his awards, including 4th place in the 2022 World Championships Pista Division, winner of the 2019 Metropolitan Competition Waltz, and runner-up in the Milonga and Pista Divisions. He is a professional who teaches a wide range of tango. Born in Buenos Aires, he began dancing at the age of 8 and started his professional career at 16. Over the years, he has performed in shows and workshops in Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, Mexico, China, Turkey, Thailand, Japan, and other countries, receiving widespread acclaim. He is the director of the Argentine Tango Association in Ginza.

Martin Choren

Born in Argentina. Won the Salon category at the 2012 Asian Tango Championship. In 2014, he competed in the Stage category at the Asian Tango Championship and won. He achieved complete domination in both the Salon and Stage categories.
Since 2015, he has organized the Tokyo Tango Marathon Festival. He invites outstanding dancers from Argentina, including world champions, to promote tango in Japan. He runs the tango house “Zita Tango” in front of Meguro Station in Tokyo.

Manabu Katoh

She studied classical ballet at Matsuyama Ballet from an early age. She competed in the Lausanne Inter-national Ballet Competition and other events. After becoming a dentist, she initially took up Argentine tango as a hobby, but after winning a compe-tition, she studied in Argen-tina and became deeply involved in the world of tango, winning competitions both domestically and internatio-nally, and compe-ting in the World Cham-pionships. After becoming the Asian Champion in 2013, she became the director of STUDIO LANKA in 2024.

JUDGE – Official Pista Categories

Judges of Oficial Pista Category
Semifinal Rounds, Final Rounds

Cristhian Sosa

Winner of the 2013 World Championship Stage Division. Both competitions are the most prestigious in Argentina, and he is a dancer who holds the title of champion in three divisions.
Since then, he has performed in shows not only in Argentina but also in various cities in Europe and Russia, and has held workshops. He is also highly regarded as an instructor.

Noelia Hurtado

　Noelia began her career as an artist in 2003 at the famous Club Sunderland, and in 2006 she was selected as Metropolitan Champion in the Tango Salon category and Metropolitan Sub-Champion in the Milonga category in Buenos Aires. Since then, she has been an extremely popular dancer in the world of tango.

Lucas Carrizo

Lucas Carrizo is from Catamarca, Argentina. He started dancing in his teens and soon teamed up with Paula Tejada, beginning his career in Buenos Aires. In 2010, he won the Metropolitan Competition in the tango category. He was then selected as a dancer for the highly acclaimed “Tango por Dos” and toured the world.

Cristian Lopez

He began performing as a pair with Nao in earnest in 2007. They partici-pated in the World Championships from 2009 to 2012, achieving the remarkable feat of being finalists in both the Salon and Stage categories Argentina. In 2015, they opened the tango salon “Buenos Aires” in Omote-sando. In 2024, they made a rare appearance at two world compe., securing the title of World Milonguero Champion and finishing in 5th place at the World Championships, once again surprising the tango world.

Natalia Hassan

She won the Milonga and Waltz divisions at the 2009 Metropolitan Competition. In addition to performing in shows in cities across France, Italy, and Russia, she has also held workshops. She is an extremely popular instructor and a dancer in high demand around the world. She currently runs the Argentine Tango Association in Ginza, Tokyo.

Facundo de la Cruz

Facundo was born in Cordoba, Argentina. The vastness of the Cordoba landscape and the peculiar sound of horses’ gallop informed Facundo’s exceptional ability to transfer the rhythm of movement into tango music. Which leaves audiences in awe all around the globe.
Facundo DJ’s in milongas in Argentina, USA, and Europe. DJ experiences got him even more intimate with tango Argentino. Facundo was awarded 1st place in the World Tango Champion-ship in 2012 and since 2017 works with Forever Tango. Today he is one of the most sought out tango stars.

Arisa Urushihara

In the spring of his fifth year since encountering tango, she founded the Tokyo Tango Academy in Ikebukuro. As the first Asian champion to compete in the world championships, she has achieved the unprecedented feat of becoming a world championship finalist for eight consecutive years. Recently, she has made a comeback from a foot injury and is once again showing off her outstanding dancing skills.

JUDGE – Official Pista Categories

Preliminares

Mikage
Urusihara

In the spring of his fifth year oftango,he founded the Tokyo Tango Academy in Ikebukuro. As the first Asian cham-pion, he made his debut at the World Championships. He shone in both the stage and pista divisions, advancing to the finals, and went on to become a dancer with an unprecedented record of becoming a world finalist for eight consecutive years.

Rene Torres

Formed a dance partnership with Junko Mori about 20 years ago. In 2010, they were runners-up in the Metropo-litan Tango Cham-pionship. Studied at the National University of the Arts in Buenos Aires and has taught and performed in countries around the world, including the USA, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Currently the owner of Caminito Tango Club in Daimon, Tokyo.

Takashi
Koguchi

In 2019, he was the Asian Champi-onship Stage Division Champion and Salon Division Finalist. However, since 2008, he has been a runner-up and finalist almost every year. In 2005, he began his profe-ssional career under the tutelage of the late Taihei Kobaya-shi and Yuko Eguchi, the leading figures of Argentine tango in Japan.

Yuka
Tsuchiya

　After leaving the Takara-zuka Revue, she moved to Bs As, where she encoun-tered tango for the first time and began studying it in japan. In just a year and a half, she performed at the Buenos Aires State Tango Festi-val. Since returning to Japan, she has been active as a dancer, instructor, and filmmaker based in Tokyo. She was the 2014 Asian Stage Division Champion.

Noriko Tanada

2006 Asian Cham-pionship Stage Division Champion. Began ballet at age 3 and also studied jazz dance. Active as a ballet teacher, choreo-grapher, and director. Began tango activities with Tanada Akiyoshi in 1992. Opened La Bardoza in 2011. Her tango theory gained through numerous study trips to Argentina, is highly regarded.

JUDGE – Non official Categories

Jack&Jill, New Star, Milonga, Señor, Walz….Finales

Arejandro
Quaglia

Since around 2006, he has been active as the main dancer at Sabol a Tango in Buenos Aires. In 2012, he established Para Dos Tango Studio in Akasaka, Tokyo, and has been active globally, mainly in Kyoto, Nagoya, and Yokohama, as well as overseas in Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, China, and Dubai.

Rene Torres

Formed a dance partnership with Junko Mori about 20 years ago. In 2010, they were runners-up in the Metropolitano Tango Championship. Studied at the National University of the Arts in Buenos Aires and has taught and performed in countries around the world, including the USA, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Currently the owner of Caminito Tango Club in Daimon, Tokyo.

Takashi
Koguchi

In 2019, he was the Asian Cham-pionship Stage Division Cham-pion and Salon Division Finalist. However, since 2008, he has been a runner-up and finalist almost every year. In 2005, he began his profes-sional career under the tutelage of the late Taihei Kobayashi and Yuko Eguchi, the leading figures of Argentine tango in Japan.

Yuka
Tsuchiya

After leaving the Takara-zuka Revue, she moved to Buenos Aires, where she encountered tango for the first time and began studying it in its birthplace. In just a year and a half, she performed at the Buenos Aires State Tango Festival. Since returning to Japan, she has been active as a dancer,instructor, and filmmaker based inTokyo. She was the 2014 Stage Asian Champion.

Noriko
Tanada

2006 Asian Cham-pionship Stage Division Champion. Began ballet at age 3 and also studied jazz dance. Active as a ballet teacher, choreo-grapher, and director. Began tango activities with Tanada Akiyoshi in 1992. Opened La Bardoza in 2011. His tango theory, gained through numerous study trips to Argentina, is highly regarded.

Nao Tsu-
tsumisaki

Nao, who studied classic music and flamenco from child, met Cristian in 2008 and they began performing as a pair. They won the 2009 Asian Championships Salon Division and placed third in the World Champion-ships Stage Division. In 2012 &2024 they won the Metropoli-tan World Milonga Division. They are extremely popular and are the stars of the show as instructors.

Special Demonstration

DIEGO & ALDANA

Diego began dancing at the age of 11 and came to Japan at the age of 18 as a dance teacher. He formed a couple with Chizuko in Japan and, in 2010, became the first Japanese person to win the World Championship Stage Division. The following year, as world champion, he toured Japan with the Min-On Tour. Aldana began various forms of dance at the age of 9 and won numerous awards in junior competitions. In 2011, she formed a partnership with Diego and joined “Forever Tango,” touring the world and gaining fame. In 2022 and 2023, she ranked third in the world in the Pista category, and in 2024, she was crowned runner-up in the Stage category.

CRISThIAN SOSA & CHIZUKO

In 2009, Christian won the Waltz category at the Metropolitan Milonga Competition. In 2013, he won the Stage category at the World Championships, boasting an impressive track record. On the other hand, Chizuko encountered tango in 2004 and won 5th place in the Stage category at the World Championships held in Argentina in 2006. In 2007, she won the Elegance Award. In 2008 and 2009, she reached the finals, and in 2010, she finally became the world champion in the Stage Division. Currently, the two dancers frequently visit Japan while teaching at Chizuko’s Tango School Effect in Takadanobaba, sharing their deep knowledge and techniques of tango with Asia and Japan.

CRISTIAN & NAO

Christian, who has been devoted to Japanese tango dancing since the World Championships began and the Asian Championships started, and Nao, who has been his partner since 2008, have achieved the remarkable feat of being selected as finalists in the Salon and Stage categories at the World Championships for four consecutive years. During that time, they have received numerous awards and have been champions in the World Milonguero category in 2012 and 2024. They are already “Japan’s proud” tango dancers. They are the couple who have contributed the most to the development of tango dance in Asia.

Lucia & Alejandro

Alejandro gained attention by placing third in a competition in Argentina and he was selected as the most popular Corol Tango dancer, which made him famous. Lucia is from Kyoto and is half Chilean and half Japanese. She runs the club “Para Dos” in Akasaka, Tokyo, and made it to the finals in last year’s world competition. She is working hard to spread tango throughout Japan and the world. They participated in the World Championships for the first time in a while last year and made it to the finals. Both of them are very active on the world stage, traveling throughout Asia to world. They have tango studio called “Para Dos” in Akasaka, Tokyo, where they hold fun milongas and teach both professionals and young dancers.

Leonel ＆NataRia Hassan

As evidenced by her awards, including 4th place in the 2022 World Champion-ships Pista Division, 1st place in the 2019 Metropolitan Competition Waltz Division, and 1st place in the Milonga and Pista Divisions, they are profess-ional who teaches a wide range of tango styles. Natalia also won 1st place in the Milonga and Waltz Divisions at the 2009 Metropolitan Competition. She currently runs the Argentine Tango Association in Ginza.

Mikage & Arisa