Alexei Silde & Anna Firstova retire from competitive dancing!

What a sad day in ballroom!

 Alexei Silde and Anna Firstova

 Photo credit: Jure Makovec 

Long time dance couple, Alexei Silde & Anna Firstova has retired from competitive ballroom!

I was pretty surprised to hear the news because it was only three months ago when they turned pro. At their last dance competition, "Vivat, Russia!" in Sochi, the pair won first placed and announced their retirement. The joy that Alexei and Anna brings on the dance floor is magical. Sad to see this pair leave after competing together for more than 10 years. I always felt that they had the potential to place in the top 6 couples in the Professionals.

Wish the couple best of luck in their retirement

Alexei Silde & Anna Firstova turn professional

Alexei and Anna at the German Open in 2010

Photo Credit: Jure Makovec

Top IDFS Latin pair, Alexei Silde and Anna Firstova announced that they would be joining the professional ranks.

The thing that is great about this pair in the enthusiasm that Alexei brings onto the dance floor. He always looks like he is having a great time.

Alexei is known for this video, where he is having too much fun on the dance floor  when he swaps partners with Andrey Gusev and improvises with Elizaveta Cherevichnaya.

My guess is that we won't him goofing off like this in the professional ranks. Here is a video of them dancing in various places in Miami.

Anyone else notice that Anna really actually has short, curly hair? I think she wears extensions for competition. Anna reminds me a bit of a younger Karina Smirnoff. Good luck to this pair in the future.