Okurer, who received extended ovations from audiences in the semi-finals during the week, was the recipient of a cash prize of 6,000 euros and will be offered a contract to become a guest dancer in Turkish state ballet company performances, the Anatolia news agency reported.
Moldovan ballerina Christina Terentieva was named the winner of the senior category of the competition, while young Italian dancer Davida Dato became winner of the juniors' category, receiving cash prizes of 4,000 euros and 3,000 euros, respectively. Terentieva will also be offered a contract to become a guest dancer with the Turkish state ballet.

Ballet dancers from Moldova, Kazakhstan, Bulgaria, Japan, Italy and Turkey took part in the finals, where each finalist staged a performance consisting of one modern and two classic pieces.

The competition, introduced this year to İstanbul's culture and art agenda as part of events of the İstanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Project, is organized by the Ankara-based State Opera and Ballet Directorate-General. The competition will be held once every two years.

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