Salsa World Championship Attracts Best Salsa Dancers in the World

Marcela Orozco, from Colombia, performs during the 6th World Salsa Festival in Cali, Colombia, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011. (AP2011)

Cali, Colombia – which has taken over the reins as the new capital of salsa dancing – was the site of the World Salsa Champion this weekend.

Thousands of dancers from all over the world – including some from Brazil and Puerto Rico – swiveled their hips and spun on stage for the competition, which was organized by the Ministry of Culture in Cali. According to El Pais, there were 3,286 contestants, almost 1,000 more than last year.

Cali, a city of more than 2 million that is better known for its cartel violence, is now producing some of the best salsa dancers in the world – a feat once dominated by Puerto Rico and New York City, where salsa dancing has become a dying art.

Check out the winners, a group called Mini Swing Latino.