Atharva Dolas, a 25-year-old from Navi Mumbai, is India’s first National DanceSport champion to pursue professional Ballroom dancing in Russia. His journey began at 16 when he discovered international dance competition videos on YouTube. Fascinated by the grace of Ballroom dancing, he started self-training in Latin American styles and later competed in regional and national championships.
“The grace and elegance of Ballroom dancing fascinated me. I decided to pursue it as a profession," said Dolas, the only child of a family residing in Sanpada. Besides self-training, Atharva began researching ways to formally train in the dance form.
Atharva Dolas |
"DanceSport gained official recognition as a Special Olympics Sport in 2019 and will feature as a medal event at the Special Olympics Winter World Games 2025,” he said.
To refine his skills, he traveled to Moscow, Russia, where he trained under top coaches while competing internationally. “I participated in various tournaments during my stay in Moscow,” he said. His achievements include competing in the WDSF Spartak Cup 2018, the Renaissance Cup 2018 in Moscow, and the World Series Governor's Cup 2019 in Tyumen. In 2019, he became the All-India DanceSport Federation National Champion in the Latin Dance category, winning gold at the 10th National DanceSport Championship in Nashik. “These tournaments opened doors to major events in Singapore and Thailand,” he recalled.
Determined to advance his DanceSport career, Atharva moved to Moscow for intensive training. “Adapting to Russia’s extreme winters, with temperatures dropping to -25°C, was tough. The harsh weather, limited sunlight, and frostbite risk were constant challenges. I made sure to wear proper winter gear throughout my training,” he said.
His progress was briefly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing him into quarantine. “Even during quarantine, I trained online and practiced in dormitory corridors,” he shared. After restrictions eased, international competitions remained suspended, but he continued competing under the Russian Dance Union, securing top rankings in the Millennium Cup, Dance Academy Cup, and Max-Classic Cup in Moscow in 2021.
In 2022, the Russia-Ukraine war led to Russia’s exclusion from international sports competitions, affecting his career. “I focused on refining my skills and reached the Professional M class level under top Russian trainers. I also pursued a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Finance from Moscow Polytechnic University,” he said.
Now back in India, Atharva is eager to share his expertise. His experience makes him a valuable asset in developing sports, dance, and recreation infrastructure in Navi Mumbai.
