Ballito dancer scores silver at world champs

Ballito is home to a dance star, who proudly claimed second place in the World Championships Hip Hop Competition in Italy last month.

Julie Robert is her name and breaking it down to the beat is her game.

The owner of Sugar Dance Studios in Ballito landed last week, after dancing her heart out for ten days at the hardcore competition in Italy.

“It was such an amazing experience. The venue and facilities were crazy and the dancers were out of this world,” said Robert, who competed in two categories.

“We were a total of 19 dancers in the formation team and a group of six dancers in the small group team.”

They made seventh place in the small group category, but were delighted with the grand second place in the formation team.

“We had so much fun in formation. The judges look at you from above to check that the formation is always perfect, so we could chat and motivate each other during the routine.”

Robert said it was incredible to watch the dancers and interesting to see the different styles.

“The European dancers are fantastic, but very militant. We have more groove and we like to bring in that South African flavour.”

Off stage, the team had a great time too.

“It was so fun to being with so many girls. We danced 80% of the time and loved the 20% chatting time.”

Robert said she is so grateful to Craig and Mandy Bullock from DanceWeb, who asked her to join the team.

“Durban only really has exams and festivals, but no real dance competitions. So, to be part of a competition of this magnitude was incredible.”

Robert had to fly up to Johannesburg about 12 times for rehearsals in preparation for the competition, but it was well worth it.

The team competed in a variety of competitions before qualifying for the world champs.

“We got gold at the Battle of the Giants, followed by gold in Sun City and after coming first at the Gauteng Hip Hop Day and getting maximum points, we were selected to go to the world champs.”

Back home, Robert is getting her students ready to compete in April, so it is practice, practice, practice.

Ashton International College pupil, Jed Bullock also took part in Italy, where he defended his 2014 Vice World Championship. Bullock and Lucretious Masanga were 2014’s Vice World Champions last year and kept their well deserved title for a second year.