Park YounJae, 16, on Feb. 8 became the country's first ballerino to win the Prix de Lausanne competition in Lausanne, Switzerland. (Prix de Lausanne)

By Margareth Theresia

Park YounJae, 16, on Feb. 8 became the first Korean ballerino to win the prestigious dance competition Prix de Lausanne in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Dancing to the classical ballet tune "Flames of Paris" and the contemporary ballet work "Rain," Park beat out 20 finalists for his historic victory. He also won the Best Young Talent Award.

He is also just the third Korean to win the event, following ballerinas Kang Sue Jin in 1985 and Park Sae-Eun in 2007.

Marking its 53rd edition, the Prix de Lausanne is one of the world's top five competitions for ballet along with the Varna International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria; USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi; Moscow International Ballet Competition in Russia: and Paris Opera Ballet of France.

The contest is open to students ages 15-18. The winner is offered admission to an affiliated ballet company or school abroad.

Among the 445 students from 42 countries who entered the Prix de Lausanne this year, 86 made the first cut through video screening and 20 of them advanced to the finals.

Three other Koreans were among the finalists in addition to Park: Kim Bogyeong, who placed eighth and received a scholarship, Sung Jimin and Ahn Zio.

margareth@korea.kr