Cuban Dancers Greisell Lastre and Joan Manuel Riera Sweep Six Medals at South Africa Ballet Competition

August 16, 2026

Cuban dancers Greisell Lastre and Joan Manuel Riera, students at the National School of Ballet Fernando Alonso (ENBFA), took home a combined six medals at the 13th International Ballet Competition of South Africa, held August 3-6, 2026, at Cape Town's Artscape Theatre Centre.

Riera won three gold medals, in the male variation, pas de deux and contemporary dance categories. Lastre earned two gold medals, in pas de deux and contemporary dance, plus a silver in the female variation. The pair danced the "Diana and Acteon" pas de deux and the contemporary piece "Psá Mate," choreographed by Ely Regina Hernández, together, while in their individual variations Riera performed "The Flames of Paris" and Lastre danced "Esmeralda."

Both dancers train under teacher Idania La Villa at the ENBFA. Riera, a native of Matanzas, and Lastre had already won medals at the previous edition of the South African competition, one of the most recognized ballet contests on the African continent.

The results reaffirm the Cuban ballet school's presence on the international competition circuit and add to a long tradition of recognition for young talents trained under the island's arts education system.