The 2006 Taiwan Ballroom Championship will begin July 1 at the Taipei municipal stadium, with more than 1,000 Taiwan and overseas ballroom dancers competing in the event, according to media reports reaching here from Taipei on Saturday.

Liu Shun-i, chairman of the Taiwan's International Dance Sport Association, said dancers from 15 countries and regions -- including Russia, Britain, Slovenia, Italy, Japan and Latvia -- will take part in the race.

The prize money totals 600,000 new Taiwan dollars (about US$20, 000).

The oldest dancer, 81-year-old Sun Yu-ting, and the youngest dancer, 11-year-old Wei Ming-you, both from Taiwan, formed an extremely eye-catching couple and displayed their outstanding dancing skills at the news conference.

The competition will be held in two categories -- one for international aficionados and the other for professionals from Asia, Liu said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 22, 2006)