Yulia Zagoruychenko

Yulia Zagoruychenko (born September 11, 1981) is a ten-time Latin Dance Champion and the current World Latin Dance Champion with her partner/husband, Riccardo Cocchi.

Born on September 11, 1981, in Belgorod, Russia, Zagoruychenko began Russian Folklore ensemble dancing at the age of four. In 1993, at the age of 12, she earned her first major title when she became the Russian Junior National Champion.

Zagoruychenko and Cocchi won their first World Latin Dance Championship in 2010 and earned their eighth title in 2017. They are ranked as #1 in the world of Professional Latin. They recently won their 5th consecutive US National Professional Latin Champions title at the US Open Dance Competition. In October 2019, they announced their retirement, with their last international competition being the World Professional Latin Champions in Miami. The pair continues to publish instructional dance content on the app Koros.

Yulia cites other forms of dance besides Latin, as well as from other musicians, including Cyd Charisse, Fred Astaire, Diana Vishneva, Gaynor Fairweather, and Donnie Burns. She is also inspired by musicians Jose Feliciano, Tina Turner, Andrea Bocelli, Christina Aguilera, and the dance companies Pilobolus and Alvin Ailey.

Personal life In 2017, after ten years of professional collaboration, Zagoruychenko and Cocchi were married. They have one son together.

Titles 2010-2019: World Professional Latin Champions 2009: World Professional Showdance Champions 2008-2016 and 2018: U.S. National Professional Latin Champions 2012, 2015-2017: Winners of the International Championships England 2008-2014: U.S. Open Champions 2016-2018: Blackpool Dance Festival Champions, England 2016-2017: Blackpool Dance Festival Champions, China 2016-2018: UK Championship Champions, England 2008-2011, 2013-2017: WDC Fred Astaire Cup Competition (Disneyland, Paris) 2008-2017: Dutch Open Champions, Assen 2010-2018: Asian Open Champions (Tokyo, Japan) 2013, 2016: Asian Open Champions (Korea and China) 2010-2014, 2016-2018: Asian Open Champions (Taiwan) 2010-2012: Asian Open Champions (Indonesia) 2010-2014, 2015-2017: Asian Open Champions (Macao) 2010-2012: Philippine Star Ball Champions 2009, 2012, 2013: German Open Champions 2012, 2016: Asian Pacific Champions