Azernews.Az

Laman Ismayilova

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The final tournament of the 2025–2026 Azerbaijan Open Dance Championship in non-sport dance disciplines has concluded in Baku, becoming one of the most striking events of the dance season, AzerNEWS reports.

Amid high competition for the main awards, more than 40 leading dance groups and over 100 independent solo performers from across the country competed.

The tournament, organized by the Azerbaijan Dance Association together with the Azerbaijan Youth Union, summed up a large-scale ten-month season that included a series of ranking competitions. Participants progressed through tournaments such as "Legends of Autumn," "Baku Cup", "Azerbaijan Cup 2025", "ÜMİD 2026", "Kapaz Cup" in Ganja, "Baku Championship", "The Greater Caucasus Cup" in Gabala, and "Art Olimpia."

Cchairman of the Azerbaijan Dance Association, Aziz Azizov noted that the final stage became a true test not only of skill but also of character.

"This final tournament was full of emotions — there were tears of joy and tears of disappointment. Dancers worked toward this day for almost a year. Winning ranking tournaments and succeeding in the final championship represent completely different levels of responsibility and psychological pressure," he said.

A key feature of the final was that being a favorite did not guarantee victory: some season leaders lost to their rivals due to minor mistakes and loss of concentration.

The main overall Grand Prix — awarded for the highest number of victories across all categories was won by the "Gratsiya" dance school under the leadership of Nigar Aliyeva.

The winner in the prestigious "Folklore" category, which includes Azerbaijani folk dances and dances of the peoples of the world, was the "Inji" ensemble led by Javid Mamedov.

The "Inji" ensemble also received a ticket to the Azerbaijan Champions Cup, scheduled for November 29, 2026, becoming the fifth team to qualify for the elite tournament. Three more teams still need to be determined to complete the lineup.

The next qualification spot will be contested on July 12, 2026, during the historic Karabakh Cup, which will be held for the first time in many years in Khankandi.

Previously, the tournament was held in Barda, Aghjabadi, Aghdam, and Tartar, but now it is returning to its historical venue.

"We are all extremely happy that the Karabakh Cup is returning home. We eagerly await the moment when the first winner of the Karabakh Cup and a ticket to the Champions Cup will be determined directly on Karabakh soil," Aziz Azizov emphasized.

The Azerbaijan Dance Association and the Azerbaijan Youth Union congratulated all finalists on the completion of the season, thanked participants for their dedication, and invited spectators and dancers to meet again in one month in Karabakh — in the city of Khankandi.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az and Milli.Az.