Qiu Yunting (right) receives the award for "Best Female Dancer" at the 31st Benois de la Danse in Moscow, Russia, on June 20, 2023. Photo: Courtesy of National Ballet of China

June has been a busy and rewarding month for the National Ballet of China (NBC). 

On June 20, at the 31st Benois de la Danse, a ballet competition held  in Moscow, Russia, NBC lead dancer Qiu Yunting won the title of "Best Female Dancer." 

"I am very happy to be able to represent the motherland and the NBC to win this award," Qiu said. "It's a compliment from everyone to win this award at the Bolshoi Theater. I was on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater for the first time nine years ago as a show performer, and to be back on that stage today as a nominated dancer is a supreme honor for me."

Three days later at the 12th USA International Ballet Competition (USA IBC) in Jackson, Mississippi, dancers from the NBC won six awards, including one gold and two silver medals. 

Known as the Olympics of ballet, the USA IBC, held every four years, is one of the four prestigious international ballet competitions. Chinese dancers have claimed gold medals in the last four events they have attended (2002, 2010, 2018 and 2023).