Alberton dancer wins big in international champs in UK

Even though failure can cause unpleasant emotions, it also gives us the chance to develop coping mechanisms, acquire a growth mindset, and ultimately accomplish our objectives.

Young Alberton North dancer Sharnie Oosthuizen is living proof that taking a lesson and putting more dedication after failure can put you at high levels and present more opportunities to yourself.

Sharnie recently won a top award at the Freestyle World Championships held at Gardens, United Kingdom, from June 28 to 30.

She started dancing at the age of three years and danced in her first competition at four years. She had the honour to compete in her first international competition last year and did not make it to the final rounds.

However, she said through last year’s competition she learnt from the dancers who won and worked harder to make it in the competition this year.

“Believing in oneself has immense power. My self-worth and my strong self-confidence originate from me. I didn’t see my setback as a failure last year but, a lesson to work hard to achieve my desires and make my dreams come true. This year I pushed harder and it paid off,” the talented dancer said.

Moreover, she said, being announced as one of the winners this year took her by surprise and felt like a big accomplishment in her dancing journey.

She indicated she was proud of her two coaches, Caitlin and Sasha Herbst, who made her who she is today.

Sharnie’s wow moments

Over her six years of competitive experience, the young dancer has won at least 271 honours awards.

In 2017, at the age of four, she took home her first recognition award at her first competition and this according to her was a building block to her successful dancing journey.

“This served as a foundational piece and a means of self-validation for my belief that I was a gifted dancer from birth. All it did was confirm I was living the life I wanted to live and whetted my interest further in being a dancer,” Sharnie said.

She said winning at this year’s world championships felt like the first time she won. Sharnie has recently levelled up from the u12 Championships to the u12 Prem Championships.

Supportive and proud parents

Her parents, Barend and Drienie Oosthuizen are grateful for the honour of being involved in their young daughter’s life.

Drienie says nothing gives her a greater sense of aliveness than witnessing her child’s genuine joy in their endeavours.

“I know how much dancing means to Sharnie, and all I have to do as a parent is to be supportive and to be proud of her. Witnessing her win in the UK made me realise she was born to be a dancer because of the effort she has put into ensuring that she wins this year,” Drienie expressed.

Qualifying for prospective competitions

Sharnie is currently preparing to compete in six more competitions this year.

She qualified to compete in Classique, Gauteng, Bloemfontein Cheetah Challenge, Kwa-Zulu Natal All Stars, Cape Classique and South African Championships.

“Just as always, I plan to train hard to ensure that I win big in these competitions. I treat each competition with the respect it deserves because of the strength it takes me to ensure I qualify from the beginning,” the local dancer said.

This and that

The young star told the Alberton Record that as much as she aims at being a great dancer, she also understands she must perform well academically to be admitted to tertiary institutions to further her teaching career.

Sharnie dreams of being a teacher, focusing on dancing.

“School helps one broaden knowledge while also gaining new skills and getting experience. Even if you are already confident, this can boost your abilities,” she explained.

Sharnie also excels in hockey and has represented the province in nationals and won in tournaments.