Cordova Dancesport Team bags 24 medals at Malaysia int’l championship

MANDAUE CITY, Cebu — The Cordova Dancesport Team brought home 18 gold, three silver, and three bronze medals from the Negeri Sembilan International Dancesport Championship 2026 held in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.

Lance Gonzaga and Venice Mae Inoc led the team’s medal haul in the solo events, each winning three gold medals. Gonzaga topped the Solo Medalist Open-Samba, Rank Solo Beginner Open-Cha-Cha, and New Solo Beginner Open-Rumba, while Inoc won the Solo Medalist Open-Cha-Cha, Rank Solo Beginner Open-Rumba, and New Solo Beginner Open-Jive.

Under-12 athletes Nathalie Kate Jumao-As and Raven Jovelle Tilacas also delivered multiple podium finishes. They won gold medals in the Beginner Synchronize Under-12 Samba, Jive, and Cha-Cha events. Jumao-As and Tilacas also secured golds in their respective New Solo Beginner Under-12 Samba and Rumba events.

The championship was held on Aug. 9, 2026, bringing together dancesport athletes from different countries, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Cordova Dancesport Team

The Cordova Dancesport Team was among the Philippine delegations from Cordova, Lapu-Lapu City, and Cebu City that competed in the international championship. The team is coached by Earl Medrano Llanos.

Llanos said the team has been training for more than a year, with regular practices in Cordova and additional training during the summer. However, he said their participation in the Malaysia competition came suddenly, leaving them with no specific or extended preparation period for the international event.

Instead, the team relied on its regular training and participation in monthly grassroots competitions in Cebu to prepare the athletes. Llanos said they practice almost every day in Cordova, which helped the dancers build familiarity and confidence in their routines.

He described the international competition as challenging, particularly for the Under-12 athletes who had to compete in another country for the first time.

Llanos said the team was uncertain about the competition environment in Malaysia but worked to motivate the young dancers and help them stay focused. He added that the parents were also with the athletes throughout the competition, providing support and encouragement as they represented Cordova and the Philippines on the international stage.

“Mixed emotions kay lahi ra man gyud ang sa grassroots nga amoang giapilan naa ra sa Cebu kaysa karun nga naa mi sa lahi nasud, niya competitor nila taga lain-lain nasud. Nakita nako ila passion and dedication sa ilang moves. Akoang kahago, amoang sakripisyo kay bisan summer sige mi og practice. Proud ko. Satisfied ko sa ila performance,” said Llanos.

(Mixed emotions because it’s really different at the grassroots level we joined which was just in Cebu, compared to now that we are in a different country, and their competitors are from various nations. I saw their passion and dedication in their moves. My hard work, our sacrifices, because even during summer we kept practicing. I am proud. I am satisfied with their performance.)///

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