WHO WE ARE
MARAT
GIMAEV
I was born in the city of Ufa, Russia. I come from a family of athletes: my father was a professional ice hockey player and my mother was a figure skater. When I was seven, my grandmother took me to dance classes in Moscow—ballroom, Latin and "Soviet-style," as you always studied in those days.
I was lucky to have great teachers who passed on to me a deep love and respect for dancing. Under their coaching I was fortunate enough to enjoy my years as a Junior and Youth dancer.
ALINA
BASYUK
I started dancing at nine years old in what was then Leningrad, now St. Petersburg, Russia. My mom took me to dance lessons with my neighbor’s son—he was forced into ballroom dancing so I could have a partner!
Like Marat, I was very lucky to meet teachers who shared their enthusiasm and love for dancing, making my Junior dancing years enjoyable and successful. At 15 years old I moved to Moscow, where a whole new chapter started.
Though we started dancing in different cities, we had known each other through the dance community since childhood. In 1999, our coaches encouraged us to try out. We’ve been dancing together ever since.
2001-2003: Became three-times World Amateur 10-Dance Champions.
2002: Reached Blackpool semifinals in both Amateur Ballroom and Latin—still the last couple to do so.
2005: Made our first Blackpool ballroom final and decided to focus on ballroom exclusively, in order to achieve the highest level possible.
ALINA
MARAT
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Photos taken at Brooklyn DanceSport Club by Maegan Gindi
2005-2010: Became finalists at the World, European, Blackpool, UK and International Championships.
2011: Moved to New York and started competing as professionals, after taking a one-year break when Marat was injured. Danced our first professional competition in May 2011, winning Blackpool Professional Rising Star Ballroom.
We also began teaching at Brooklyn DanceSport Club, the studio started by our old friends and colleagues Eugene Katsevman and Maria Manusova.
2014: Danced on the winning North American team at the prestigious team match event in Blackpool.
2015: Made our first major professional final, at the World Championships in Irvine, CA.
2016-2017: Became professional finalists at World, International and UK Championships.
June 2017: We made the final in all dances at Blackpool Dance Festival, achieving our greatest dream. In the incomparable atmosphere of the Winter Gardens, we announced our retirement from competitive dancing
Today: We are enjoying the next phase of our dancing, as performers, teachers and judges.