Bredell learner is new slow dance world champion in her age group

An 11-year old girl from Bredell was crowned world champion at the World Freestyle Dance Championships in Blackpool in the UK in June.

Zelique Truter was announced the new world champion for slow dance freestyle in the u-12 category.

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This Laerskool Bredell learner competed against about 100 dancers from across the globe and had to go through seven gruesome heats. All participants in the age group competed simultaneously and elimination took place as the heats progressed for each division.

After seven heats, five dancers were selected to do their individual spots in front of 30 judges from different countries.

She also participated in the solo freestyle fast dance section and progressed to the semi-finals.

Zelique started dancing in 2016 with Lady Keziah from Dance Rush International Studio in Bredell. Within two years, she worked herself up from beginner to prem-champion in both slow dance and solo freestyle.

Lady Keziah, herself a double world champion in both solo and slow dance (2015), was taught by David Jones.

Zelique is the second world champion that emerged under Lady Keziah. Last year one of her other students, Xene Fowlds, became world champion of slow dance u-14.

Mom Zelna said: “Zelique lives for her dance. Dance taught her to believe in herself. It taught her self-confidence and emotional and physical control.

“Through her dance she can express herself and show her emotions. Due to the fact that these dancers need to memorise their moves and feel the music through their bodies, it taught her to concentrate, which in return helps her through her studies.”