Naima Gerasopoulou:The Greek dancer who became world champion in tango

Naima Gerasopoulou, along with her Argentine partner Lucas Gauto, were crowned world champions in the Salon category, a very important distinction for her and the couple.

Historic victory for Greece

Tango de Pista (also known as Tango de Salón) is the most traditional and authentic form of Argentine tango, which is danced at social evenings (milongas) and is characterized by improvisation, embrace and respect on the dance floor.

Yesterday, at the World Tango Championship (Mundial de Tango 2026), Greece won first place for the first time, in a historic victory.

Naima Gerasopoulou and her partner managed to stand out among the top dancing couples on the planet and win the coveted title.

Naima Gerasopoulou from Greece and Lucas Gauto from Argentina dance after their victory at the World Tango Championship in Buenos Aires / AP Photo / Rodrigo Abd
The Basic Rules of Tango de Pista
Unlike Stage Tango (Tango Escenario), which is intended for performances and includes choreography and acrobatics, Tango de Pista is based on strict rules that simulate the real atmosphere of a milonga:

The Embrace (Abrazo): The couple must not break their embrace during the dance. The connection remains firm, offering the characteristic intimacy of tango.

The Flow of the Dance Floor: Couples must move counter-clockwise, without obstructing the other dancers.

Improvisation: No pre-determined choreographies are allowed. Dancers improvise to the music chosen at that moment by the organizers.

Grounding: Dancers' feet must remain in contact with the ground; jumps and aerial figures are strictly prohibited.

Who is Naima Gerasopoulou

Naima Gerasopoulou started dancing at a young age, initially doing classical ballet and rhythmic gymnastics. Although she initially did not know what Argentine tango was, she later got involved and loved this particular type of dance and devoted herself to it.

In 2014, Naima Gerasopoulou won first place at the “Tango Acropolis” (Mediterranean and Eastern Tango Championship) in the Tango de Pista category.

Since 2015, Naima has been dancing with her Argentinian partner, Lucas Gauto, and in 2019 she won 4th place at the Buenos Aires World Championship.

She also works as an acclaimed teacher, transmitting her passion for dance in Athens, being a key figure in the Academia del Tango in Greece.