Ludik’s Acro Dance Studio (LADS) participated in the virtual international competition Talent Africa Stars of the Universe where their two dance entries both won gold.
This is the second year in a row that the studio’s trio of Luané du Plessis, Zihandri Lange and Bea van Niekerk has won the Overall Junior Group Platinum Award for Stars of the Universe. They won the competition for earning the highest score across all age groups and categories in the Junior division. In February, the group was granted permission to participate in the virtual Poland Winter Contest.
After receiving an I Laureate award, the three are invited to compete in the October 2024 Rome World Championships. An invitation to compete at the World Championships has never been extended to a competitor from Talent Africa. In March, LADS participated in the Dance Fest Novi Sad in Serbia travelling with Talent Africa. Over 3 500 dancers from 14 nations competed in this massive competition.
“Our dancers had an incredible time and they relished every moment of it,” Maryk Ludik of the studio said.
LADS received the following placings in the world:
Third Places
• Bea van Niekerk – Solo
• Luane du Plessis, Zihandri Lange, Bea van Niekerk – Trio
• Dupstar Group – Luané du Plessis, Zihandri Lange, Kganya Seboalo, Reotlotlile Morweng, Nkateko Mhlangu and Bea van Niekerk
Second Places
• Bea van Niekerk and Maison-Luke Ludik– Duet
• World in Union Group – Luané du Plessis, Zihandri Lange, Kganya Seboalo, Reotlotlile Morweng, Nkateko Mhlangu and Bea van Niekerk
First Places
• Sand Group – Luané du Plessis, Zihandri Lange, Kganya Seboalo, Reotlotlile Morweng, Nkateko Mhlangu and Bea van Niekerk
• Pata Pata Group – Luané du Plessis, Zihandri Lange, Kganya Seboalo, Reotlotlile Morweng, Nkateko Mhlangu, Bea van Niekerk. This group was choreographed by the talented Fanyana Mbalo.
LADS had a total of seven podium placings at the Novi Sad Dance Festival and won first, second, and third place in the Acro Group division.
