Interview with Marius-Andrei Balan and Khrystyna Moshenska
The Champions' Journey
Marius and Kristina began their dance partnership in 2015 in Pforzheim, Germany, and quickly became one of the most captivating and successful couples in the world. They swiftly claimed the title of German Champions and reached the finals of every major global competition. By 2020, they had secured the top spot on the WDSF World Ranking List, maintaining their dominance in the international Latin Dance scene. Their hard work culminated in 2021 when they achieved the remarkable feat of winning the German, European, and World Latin Championships within just six weeks. The couple also deepened their connection to Latin dance by spending time in Cuba in 2017 and 2018 to explore the dance's cultural roots. This summer, Marius and Kristina competed in the WDSF Asian DanceSport Festival 2024 in Wuxi, marking their final championship. Just few days ago, they announced their retirement from the amateur field, having felt that they had accomplished everything they set out to do. Kristina now holds an incredible seven World Champion titles, and together, they have set a record with four World Championship titles in the Latin field. With this milestone, WDSF decided it was the perfect time to sit down with the couple for an exclusive interview.
Reflecting on your illustrious career, what has been your most memorable competition, and what made it stand out?
Marius: There were a few competitions that we recollect from time to time; one of them was Wuhan’s 2015. Also, our first GrandSlam in China, where we performed as a new couple and met the other top competitors. At this GrandSlam, we were very close to winning, with only a minor point difference, but even though we didn’t take first place, it was an important milestone for us.
Kristina: For me, Ostrava 2018 was very special. You know how it happens sometimes: you need to go on stage, and you have so many thoughts racing through your mind. You know that you’re experienced and know what to expect, but there's still that 1% chance things could go unexpectedly. I was standing next to the stage, feeling quite anxious, but once I stepped out, I forgot about everything. I was so in tune with the music and the moment that I had goosebumps!
How did it feel to perform at the Wuxi DanceSport Festival as your final competitive event, and what emotions did you experience throughout the festival?
Marius: In terms of preparation, it was a very challenging competition. Kristina had a knee injury, so she couldn’t train until March. I also couldn’t practice in May, and we had only eight weeks to prepare for the championship. But looking back, I can say it was one of our best championships.
Kristina: Yes, the preparation process wasn’t the easiest, but I didn’t feel stressed while getting ready, not even the day before the competition. However, I experienced a lot of emotions during our performance.
Looking back, what were the biggest challenges you faced during your career, and how did you overcome them?
Marius: Well, there’s a bit of backstory. In 2014, Kristina was a three-time world champion, while I was first 5th, then 4th, and 3d. We started dancing together in 2015 and worked hard daily, steadily aiming for first place. Along the way, we won some competitions and came very close to winning others. In dancing, even a single point can make a huge difference. For instance, at the European Championship in 2017, the gap between the top three couples was less than one point, so we ended up in 3rd place. Then the pandemic hit, which was tough for us – not being able to train properly, perform, or compete. But our love for dance kept us going, and we continued training as much as we could.
Kristina: For me, the biggest challenges have always been the injuries and having to manage them while continuing to train. The results also impact your mental state – it’s hard to handle the pressure, and it’s not for everyone. I was a champion, but then I had to wait another seven years to regain that status. Managing your emotions and not losing the desire to practice is crucial. Both Marius and I started dancing at a young age; Marius left home at 15, and I left at 17. We each faced many challenges, being far from home, family, and our support systems. Back then, even bank transfers weren’t as fast as they are now. If you ran out of money, you’d have to wait days, sometimes even longer if it was the weekend.
I remember when I first arrived in a foreign country, I was tricked by carriers at the train station and ended up paying them half of my monthly allowance. I only realized it later and cried the whole evening. When I got to the rented apartment, it was so cold inside because the windows weren’t insulated. But I didn’t tell my parents because they would have taken me back, and I wanted to dance more than anything. That determination is what helped me endure and overcome all challenges throughout my career, and the same goes for Marius.
Marius: Exactly! When I arrived in Germany, I didn’t know a single word of German but had to go to a local school and then to my dance training afterward. I tried to catch up as quickly as possible, but I ended up getting sick – I was so sleep-deprived that my liver became enlarged, and I had to slow down. But I agree with Kristina; our passion for dance gave us the energy to push through everything.
Your stories are so similar, even though you lived in different countries! How did you become a couple?
Kristina: We were both dancing with different partners and were successful in our respective pairs. But I had some changes in my goals and started looking for a partner who would align with these new aims. When I saw Marius, I recognized his talent and dedication, so I asked him to be my partner.
Marius: Oh, that was an amazing moment. Kristina was the best, but I was too shy to ask her because her partner was also very good.
Kristina: Then, I happened to visit Germany for the weekend and asked Marius if he was up for a coffee or a quick meeting to get to know each other better in case we decided to work together. He replied that he was training and could only meet after that. I was pleasantly surprised by his commitment and seriousness about training, and that’s when I decided we should work together.
What advice would you give to young dancers who aspire to reach the heights of success that you have achieved in Latin dance?
Marius: Consistency and patience are everything. You dance, you practice, and you keep doing that every single day. Once you’ve accomplished something, you can focus on the next goal. Because even if you’re a huge talent, if you stop because of a bad competition result, no one will remember you.
Kristina: I completely agree. There are so many talented dancers who take competition results too hard, which makes it easier for others to surpass them. The key is to never stop – losing one battle doesn’t mean you’ve lost the war.
As you transition away from competitive dancing, what are your future plans within the dance community or in other areas?
Kristina and Marius: We’ll continue to dance and move into the professional arena. We’ll remain very active as teachers, and who knows, maybe we’ll become judges in the future. One thing is certain – we’ll do our best to give back to the dance community as much as possible. We’ve achieved a lot, and now we want our students to achieve even more.
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