Argentine Engineer Wins World Just Dance Championship in Kazakhstan

Franco Vitali, an Argentine engineer and competitive gamer known as Vitaldancer, has achieved global recognition by winning the World Just Dance Championship. The 25-year-old secured the top spot in the Phygital Dancing category at the Games of the Future 2026, held in Astana, Kazakhstan.

In a closely contested final, Vitali emerged victorious over his French opponent, Lina, with a score of 2-1. This triumph earned him a prize of $20,000 from a total prize pool of $75,000 distributed across the discipline. The competition, which took place on August 6 and 7, brought together 16 international dancers who showcased their skills in a format blending physical prowess with in-game technical execution.

Vitali's journey to this international title is rooted in a passion that began at the age of nine when he first played Just Dance on a cousin's Wii console. What started as a pastime evolved into a serious sporting discipline. His preparation for the championship was rigorous, involving three to four hours of daily practice for the past six months, focusing on mastering the 13 selected songs.

“

As a biotechnologist, it often happens that I say, I know more about cancer and biochemistry than the average person, but I am not an expert in cancer or biochemistry. These are things I learned.

Beyond his gaming achievements, Vitali holds a degree in Biotechnology and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Biological Sciences at the National Agricultural Technology Institute (INTA). He draws parallels between his academic pursuits and his gaming career, noting that while he possesses extensive knowledge in areas like cancer and biochemistry, he doesn't claim to be an expert. He highlighted that the prize money is equivalent to approximately one year of a doctoral scholarship from CONICET, underscoring the financial significance of his sporting success.

Reflecting on the final match, Vitali praised Lina's performance, acknowledging her as a significant surprise in the competitive Just Dance circuit. He shared his admiration for her, stating she is not just the second-best in the world but the most surprising competitor he has witnessed.

“

Lina, you are not only the second in the world, I think you are currently the number one surprise in all the Just Dance competitions I have seen in my life.