Japan’s 15-yr-old boy comes 1st in International ballet competition

April 22, 2018

New York- Japan's Yuma Matsuura came in first in the senior age division at the Youth America Grand Prix audition for promising young ballet dancers from across the globe, the organizer said Friday.

As there was no Grand Prix award winner in the senior division for dancers aged 15 to 19, Matsuura, a 15-year-old boy from Tokyo's Tachikawa, became the top male dancer in the division.

"I still don't feel it's real," the international contest debutant told reporters in New York, where the YAGP finals were held. "But I'm happy," he quickly added.

Set to become a student at Britain's Royal Ballet School in September, Matsuura said, "I want to be a dancer that can bring a smile on everyone's face."

Other Japanese participants also performed well at the event.

Masaki Suetsugu, 14, from Tokyo's Toshima Ward, became the runner-up in men's group in the junior age division for 12- to 14-year-olds, and so did Yo Nakajima, 13, from the capital's Sumida Ward, in junior women's group.

Furthermore, Reito Nashiki, an 11-year-old Katsushika Ward boy, won the Hope Award, which is given to the best-performing dancer regardless of sex in the precompetitive division for children aged 9-11.

"I never imagined I could earn the top award," Nashiki said. "I'll continue making efforts."

The YAGP, the largest network of dance in the world, supports and develops world-class dancers by providing scholarship auditions and education opportunities. Jiji Press