Seoul: Park Youn-jae has won the top prize at a prestigious ballet competition for young dancers in Switzerland, becoming the first South Korean ballerino to place first at the competition. The 16-year-old secured the first position at the 2025 Prix de Lausanne held at the Beaulieu Theatre in the Swiss city on Saturday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this victory marks a historic achievement for South Korea as it is the first time a male South Korean dancer has won the competition's top award. Previously, famed ballerina Kang Sue-jin was the first South Korean to win an award at the Prix de Lausanne back in 1985.
The Prix de Lausanne is recognized as one of the most prestigious ballet competitions globally, attracting participants aged 15 to 18 from various countries. This milestone highlights the growing prominence of South Korean talent in the international ballet community.