A Mexican dancer has won a prestigious international prize considered the Oscar of ballet.

Isaac Hernández, the principal dancer for the English National Ballet, was awarded the Benois de la Danse prize at a ceremony held yesterday in the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, Russia.

The 27-year-old Jalisco native was nominated for the best danseur award for his performances in Don Quijote with the Rome Opera Ballet, in which he worked under the artistic direction of legendary Russian ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov, and La Sylphide, with the English National Ballet.

Hernández is the first Mexican to win the coveted prize.

After the ceremony, the dancer posted a photo of himself holding the award outside the historic theater on his Twitter account with the caption, “Everything is possible!”

President Enrique Peña Nieto congratulated Hernández for his achievement via his own Twitter account.

The recognition further enhances the reputation of the young dancer who last November won the award for best male dancer at the United Kingdom’s National Dance Awards.

According to Hernández’s press office in Mexico, the dancer said that it was an honor and a source of great pride to represent Mexico on the world stage.

“. . . Being the first Mexican in history to win this important prize is proof that everything can be achieved if we persevere with our dreams. I dedicate this achievement to the entire Mexican public who is always with me, to all those people who have been part of my life and my journey and to all those who have supported me, believed in me and motivated me to be better as a person and as a professional,” he said.

The Benois de la Danse prize was founded in 1991 and is named after the Russian artist and ballet stage designer Alexandre Benois.

The award seeks to recognize “the tireless work, professionalism, discipline, virtuosity and passion” of the best dancers in the world, according to the Benois prize website.

Prizes are also awarded for best ballerina, lifetime achievement, choreography, composition and design.

London-based Hernández will return to Mexico in August to present his ballet gala Despertares at the National Auditorium in Mexico City.  

Source: Milenio (sp), El Universal (sp)