Sanchia scoops two titles at worlds

Rynfield dancer Sanchia Lamprecht’s hard work and dedication paid off after winning two world titles at the World Freestyle Championships in Blackpool, England, last month.

Sanchia brought home the freestyle solo and slow dance trophies, making it seven world titles since her championship debut in 2018.

The 20-year-old said she was in disbelief and struggled to hold back her tears when she was declared the world champion for her slow dance, before winning the adult premier freestyle solo title the following day.

“I am proud of myself. All the hard work paid off,” she said.

What was impressive about the dancer’s victories is that she had to receive full marks to win the world titles in both categories.

“We started with three heats for the slow dance. There were 15 dancers per heat. We danced one round for a minute. We were cut from 15 to 12, then to 10 and then the final five.

“In the final, we did our solo spots. The solo spot I performed lasted a minute, and straight afterwards, I did a one-minute round. After those two minutes, all 30 judges had to award first place to the same dancer.

“The winner was announced by playing their national anthem. My heart was racing, and I kept asking myself if I had done enough to win. When Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika played, I couldn’t hold back my tears,” said Sanchia.

After wowing the judges on the first night, she carried the momentum into the freestyle category the following day. She described winning the adult premier as her biggest achievement.

“It’s also difficult to win because you must impress 30 judges on five different levels. They look at grooming, presentation on the floor, technique, speed, and fitness.

“I got full marks from all the judges. It’s the biggest achievement because I had been working on my routine since last July, training eight hours a day from Monday to Sunday.”

Escape

Before going to Blackpool, Sanchia competed in the IDO World Disco Dance Championships in Poland from June 19 to 22.

Reflecting on the competition, she said, “It was a tough one,” but was proud of herself after finishing 23rd in the disco and disco slow dance, and 22nd overall out of 200 dancers.

“It was overwhelming. I didn’t go in with any expectations. I just wanted to make a round. Eliminating almost 150 dancers was absolutely amazing. I felt really overwhelmed, but I was proud of myself because I had trained eight hours a day for the past year.”

Sanchia started dancing as a two-year-old, and it later became an escape from bullying at school.

“I was bullied from Grade One until Grade 11. I had problems at school because I was a quiet child. Dancing was a way I could express my emotions without having to do anything. I could just dance and people would understand me,” she said.

The Rynfield Primary alumna has over 50 national and provincial titles, as well as multiple Protea and Gauteng colours.

She thanked her trainers David Jones, Steven Noall and Alexandra Mundel for helping her through everything and her mom, Linda, for being her rock.

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