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Author Topic: American Born World Champions  (Read 1322 times)
dancinginthemoonlight
Intermediate Bronze

Posts: 44
« on: November 06, 2011, 11:32:41 AM »
I was wondering if there have been any American born world champions in any of the International style divisions (Latin, Standard & 10-Dance). Not people who dance for USA, but people who were actually born in the U.S. and have won a world title.

I don't know very much about the Standard and 10-Dance divisions, but for Latin the only one I could come up with was Corky Ballas (at least, I think that he did). I know Bill Sparks was a finalist, but he never won. Any others?
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QPO
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National Champion
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Posts: 19949


Adelaide South Australia
« Reply #1 on: November 07, 2011, 06:40:09 AM »
I am not sure... I have not been in dancing long enough to know that much about the History but I am sure there are others in the US that will know  Grin
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elisedance
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ee
« Reply #2 on: November 07, 2011, 10:17:58 AM »
Quote from: dancinginthemoonlight on November 06, 2011, 11:32:41 AM
I was wondering if there have been any American born world champions in any of the International style divisions (Latin, Standard & 10-Dance). Not people who dance for USA, but people who were actually born in the U.S. and have won a world title.

THats a bit of a dangerous characterization considering the large fraction of patriotic americans who happened to have immigrated to the US, perhaps in childhood. 

Perhaps its better to characterize US residents who actually live there?
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dancinginthemoonlight
Intermediate Bronze

Posts: 44
« Reply #3 on: November 07, 2011, 01:11:51 PM »
ee, I am not trying to belittle anyone (U.S. born citizen, immigrant, or neither), I'm sorry if it came off that way.

My main point was this - Yulia and Riccardo dance for USA and are the world champions in latin. Neither of them were born in the U.S. though, Riccardo was born in Italy and Yulia in Russia. I have absolutely no problem with this. I don't care which country they dance for (and I'll be the first to admit that it's pretty cool that they decided to dance for USA). But I also know that there are not very many (if any) American born citizens who have claimed such a title (in any of the international styles). Now, if I ever amount to anything in the dance world (such as a world champion) it would be awesome to say that I was the first or one of the first few American born citizens to claim something of that status.

I am also not trying to put America on a pedestal or anything like that. I don't believe we are superior or anything to any other country. I just happen to have been born and raised here, which is why I am specifically interested in the dancers who share my same background but have achieved something much greater. If I had been born and raised in any other country, I would probably still have the same question just a different country.

I more or less wanted to get my facts straight, that is all. I did not mean to sound offensive in any way.
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Some guy
Intermediate Silver
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Posts: 1432
« Reply #4 on: November 07, 2011, 01:48:59 PM »
I believe Corky Ballas is the only one.
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Some guy
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Posts: 1432
« Reply #5 on: November 07, 2011, 01:54:25 PM »
DM, your response filled with caveats and explanations reminded me of this clip from the popular TV show.   Wink

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk7ZyXPkdPg&feature=related
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dancinginthemoonlight
Intermediate Bronze

Posts: 44
« Reply #6 on: November 08, 2011, 12:07:20 AM »
"I've forgot how to understand English. I hate it when that happens."

SG that clip is too funny! Love it! (And I guess you mean, less is more Wink lol)

It made me miss watching British tv shows Sad I had a bf once that loved them. I've never seen this one though, too bad, it looks hilarious!
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Some guy
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« Reply #7 on: November 08, 2011, 01:24:02 AM »
That is one of my favorite shows.   Grin
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elisedance
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ee
« Reply #8 on: November 08, 2011, 06:41:22 AM »
I can't watch it! I feel to much for the poor guy.  I would want to put him out of his misery as fast as possible (one way or the other Wink ).
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If you must leave the house, go build a home...

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Dora-Satya Veda
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« Reply #9 on: November 10, 2011, 04:46:27 PM »
I agree with SG that Corky Ballas is probably the only world champion that was born and raised in the US. There are others that have made world finals in both Latin and Standard that are born and raised in American.

DSV 
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Edward Teller
skipper
Bronze
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Posts: 376
« Reply #10 on: November 10, 2011, 08:00:32 PM »
Not a champion, but pretty close  Victor Fung??
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QPO
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« Reply #11 on: November 11, 2011, 08:44:08 PM »
Quote from: skipper on November 10, 2011, 08:00:32 PM
Not a champion, but pretty close  Victor Fung??

yes  so close and yet so far.. it must be frustrating for him and his partner Roll Eyes
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elisedance
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ee
« Reply #12 on: November 12, 2011, 01:46:10 AM »
Quote from: QPO on November 11, 2011, 08:44:08 PM
Quote from: skipper on November 10, 2011, 08:00:32 PM
Not a champion, but pretty close  Victor Fung??

yes  so close and yet so far.. it must be frustrating for him and his partner Roll Eyes

I'm sure there are a thousand couples that would kill to be so frustrated Wink
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If you must leave the house, go build a home...

The limit of your love is also the limit of your art...
Dora-Satya Veda
Gold Star
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Posts: 6861
« Reply #13 on: November 12, 2011, 05:01:26 PM »
Quote from: skipper on November 10, 2011, 08:00:32 PM
Not a champion, but pretty close  Victor Fung??

Yes, Victor Fung is not a champion but he is an ABC (American Born Chinese).

DSV
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"As we understand more things, everthing is becoming simpler"

Edward Teller
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