KOREAN NET

Ballerino Jeon Minchul on April 27 won the top prize at the Youth America Grand Prix in Tampa, Florida. (Youth America Grand Prix's official Instagram page)

By Aisylu Akhmetzianova

Ballerino Jeon Minchul has won the top prize at Youth America Grand Prix, a global ballet and contemporary dance competition in the U.S.

Korea National University of Arts (K-Arts) on April 28 said Jeon won the senior men's division on April 27 in Tampa, Florida, to claim the Grand Prix, which goes to the contestant who shows the best skills regardless of category or age.

The dancer did Albrecht's variation in the second act of "Giselle" in the classic ballet category. For his second performance, he danced a new version of "Esmeralda."

As the fifth Korean to win the tournament's Grand Prix, Jeon is a student at K-Arts and will join Russia's Mariinsky Ballet.

Held every year in the U.S. since 2000, the competition is one of the world's largest ballet competitions and dubbed the "Olympics for ballet aspirants." The event is open to those ages 9-19 in the categories of classical ballet, classical pas de deux (two members), and military and contemporary ballet.

aisylu@korea.kr