The Free State dancers who went to the World Dance Championship in Blackpool, England, returned with 18 trophees.
The 22 students attended the event from 28 to 30 June, obtaining places in several events.
Sizolwethu Ngidi won in the U12 category for boys as world champion in freestyle. He also came second in slowdance.
He is trained by Senicia du Toit Breytenbach and Talita Helberg.
Roslyn van Niekerk is the U10 world premier champion in freestyle and slowdance, with fellow Free State dancer Taylor Ratcliff in second place.
Roslyn was also fifth in the U12 pairs championship.
Marlize Griffiths is Roslyn’s trainer and Breytenbach trains Taylor.
Denise Breytenbach and Mariana De Almada came second in the world championship freestyle pairs category.
The Authentic Queens – with Cara van der Bijl (captain), Lelani Theron (vice-captain), Tatiana De Almada, Wianka Agenbach, Feliciana De Almada, Jaydene Barnard and Delré Pretorius – came third in the adult street dance teams category.
In the world championship freestyle formations, the Next Level Squad – consisting of Nthati Theko (captain), Orefile Kgamanyane (vice-captain), Mieke Maree, Fundokuhle Molaba, Letitia de Smidt, Lienke Broodryk, Taylor Ratcliff, Mariana De Almada and Denise Breytenbach – came third.
The Tribes came third in the adult world championship freestyle formation. The members of this group are: Wianka Agenbach (captain), Feliciana De Almada (vice-captain), Cara van der Bijl, Delré Pretorius, Jaydene Barnard, Carla Smit, Xanyke Swart and Leané de Smidt.
Destruction Groove came fouth in the U16 youth world championship street dance team category.
The youngest member of the Free State team, Lesedi Kgamanyane, competed in the U6 beginner class and came seventh in slow dance and fouth in freestyle solo.
Many dancers obtained places and made their trainers proud.
The trainers involved in honing the dancers’ skill for the Free State team are: Chantel Greyling, Elize Cogle, Liezl Luyt, Nadine Molentze, Griffiths, Manulani Cohen and Breytenbach.
