Sivak prevailed in the men’s single class two at the Provinciaal Vormingscentrum Malle but it was his first world title without wife Nadia, who died a year ago before the 2016 European Championships in Kosice.

Together, they won four world and multiple European titles.

“First of all I am very confused because I have a lot of feelings inside, but at the moment I am very happy,” said Sivak, who was competing in men’s single at a World Championships for the first time.

“I want to dedicate this, not only the medal, but each day of my life, each thing that I’ve done and am doing, I would like to dedicate it to her."

Sivak won the judges’ top marks in the tango, rumba and jive, giving him one point more than Germany’s silver medallist Erik Machens, who had also taken second at the 2015 World Championships in Rome.

Three points separated the bronze and fourth-place finishers, with Mexico’s Jesus Yermain Angeles Fernandez prevailing in the samba and jive to finish on the podium.

South Korea’s Changwoo Han was the clear winner in the men’s single class one, adding the world title to the Asian Championship crown he won last year.

Kazakhstan’s silver medallist Ardak Otorbayev bettered Hong Kong’s Ma Wah Keung with his tango, samba and jive.

Ukraine continued their celebrations with a further two gold medals in single events.

Reigning world and European champion Illona Slugovyna continued her dominance in the women’s single class one. 

South Korea’s Hye-Jeong Jang spoiled a one-two Ukrainian finish by taking the silver, as Snejana Kernichnaya completed the podium.

Ukraine’s Olena Chynka celebrated her first World Championships gold medal, being the standout performer in the women’s single class two.

Mexico's Haydee Guadalupe Reynosa Guerrero impressed in only her second major international event – as she took home the silver medal while Poland’s Katarzyna Bloch claimed the bronze.

After just missing the podium two years ago, the Philippines’ Rhea Marquez and Jun Julius Obero showed outstanding improvement to clinch the combi Latin title.

Ukraine’s Olena Dankevych and Ivan Zamiga won the silver by three points over Poland’s Nadine Kinczel and Pawel Karpinski.

South Korea's Han partnered with Jini Ryu in the combi Latin one to finish Saturday with two gold medals.

Belarus’ Hanna Siratsiuk and Ihar Kuliashou were second, followed by South Koreans Jang and Ikhee Lee.

Duo standard closed this evening's action, with Ukraine's Slugovyna teaming up with Valeriy Bevzyuk to win the class one event. 

Kazakhstan’s Karlygash Tynabekova and Ardak Otorbayev and Ukraine’s Snejana Kernichnaya and Vladimir Kernichny took silver and bronze respectively.

Chynka partnered with Oleksandr Onishchenko to complete Ukraine’s stunning night in the class two equivalent.

South Korea’s Jang and Youngho Lee were runner-up.

Despite injuring her arm during one of her performances, Poland’s Joanna Reda fought through to take the bronze with partner Karpinski.

Action concludes tomorrow.