French DanceSport stars Elena Salikhova and Charles Schmitt have been featured as part of the Heroes from the Games series following another landmark performance at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, where they claimed the silver medal in Latin Mixed.
For Salikhova and Schmitt, Chengdu marked the fourth edition of The World Games they have contested together — a rare achievement that speaks to the longevity, consistency and resilience of one of DanceSport’s most established partnerships.
Previously, the pair won bronze medals at TWG 2022 in Birmingham (USA), TWG 2017 in Wroclaw (Poland) and TWG 2013 in Cali (Colombia), building a remarkable The World Games legacy across more than a decade.
Interestingly, one of their most powerful memories from Chengdu didn’t come under the spotlight of competition.
“Surprisingly, it wasn’t on the dance floor,” they recalled. “It was early in the morning during a conversation with our coach and members of the French Dance Federation. Talking openly about our journey and the responsibility we carried made us realise how much we had grown as a couple. That shared moment, before even competing, is something we will always cherish.”
On the floor, however, there was one defining moment that encapsulated everything they stand for as a partnership — their solo rumba in the final.
“Something shifted in that moment,” they said. “We stopped thinking, stopped trying, and simply let ourselves dance. The connection felt effortless, emotional and completely genuine. It truly felt like us.”
The road to Chengdu was not without its challenges. An intense competition schedule and constant travel tested them physically and mentally, demanding discipline and mutual care.
“The biggest challenge was definitely physical,” they explained. “Balancing exhaustion, recovery and still showing up at our best wasn’t easy. It pushed us to really listen to our bodies and, most importantly, to take care of each other.”
That sense of partnership has been the cornerstone of their success, especially when results haven’t always gone their way.
“What keeps us motivated is our belief in our partnership above all else,” they said.
“Results matter, but they are not the reason we dance together. Our shared desire to grow, evolve and move forward as a couple is what truly drives us.”
As long-time athletes from The World Games, Salikhova and Schmitt also highlighted what makes the event so special compared to other international competitions.
“At The World Games, you feel part of something much larger than just DanceSport,” they noted.
“You are standing alongside athletes from so many different sports and cultures. There’s a powerful sense of unity and shared purpose that you don’t find elsewhere.”
That spirit extended beyond competition, with meaningful interactions across disciplines once again leaving a lasting impression.
“Those conversations remind us that, even though our sports are different, we all share the same passion, dedication and dreams,” they said.
“It really makes you feel part of a much bigger community.”
Reflecting on four editions of The World Games, the couple acknowledged how deeply the journey has shaped them both as athletes and as people.
“It taught us patience, resilience and the importance of thinking long-term,” they explained. “As individuals, we’ve learned to communicate better, support each other more deeply and face challenges with greater maturity.”