Thirteen-year-old Xen\u00e8 Fowlds\u2019 dream became a reality when she recently competed in the World Freestyle Championships held at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, in the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n
This happened after she qualified for the championships last year (GCN, May 26, \u201cDawnview dancer heads for Blackpool\u201d).<\/p>
Xen\u00e8 achieved third place in the u-14 Slow Dance category at the championships.<\/p>\n
\u201cFreestyle dancing consists of solo and slow dance and she also made it to the semi-finals in the solo dance section,\u201d said Xen\u00e8\u2019s mother, Jana.<\/p>
\u201cI am very proud of her because it was her first time competing in the world championships and she managed to secure a podium position.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Dawnview dancer said it still hasn\u2019t sunk in yet.<\/p>\n
\u201cI still can\u2019t believe that I placed third in such a big competition,\u201d said Xen\u00e8.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is my first time and I did it well, I am very proud of myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xen\u00e8 competed against over 120 dancers from around the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were 96 dancers in the slow dance and 120 for the solo dance, so one had to really stand out to be noticed,\u201d said Xen\u00e8.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery heat has about 13 dancers at a time and you really had to impress, for the judges to notice you.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had to adjust to a few things because the floor was bigger than our floors at home. Furthermore, the music is super loud and there were 30 judges on the floor which is many more than the seven we are used to in South Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is easy to feel intimidated by such a big event but I remembered what my dance teacher, Keziah \u201cLady Keziah\u201d van Vreden told me.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe said I shouldn\u2019t feel intimidated because I have to make them feel intimidated.<\/p>\n
\u201cOverall, I enjoyed the experience. It was really great and I am definitely going back next year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xen\u00e8 said she wouldn\u2019t have been able to do it without the support she received.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you to David Jones who helped me with my solo dance routine, Steve Noall for the slow dance and to Keziah for helping me put everything together. Thank you to all my sponsors, family and friends for making the trip possible and everyone who supported me. I truly appreciate it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jana said she had been worried about Xen\u00e8\u2019s performance because she had a lot going on before heading to Blackpool.<\/p>\n
\u201cA week before the championships, my father, Neville Eatwell, passed away and it was a shock for all of us,\u201d said Jana.<\/p>\n
\u201cXen\u00e8 was busy with exams and had to deal with the loss of her grandfather. I was worried that she wouldn\u2019t be able to focus at the championships but she managed to pull through all those emotions and succeeded.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe took third place with an 80 per cent average, which is good and a big relief because she was going to have to take a break from dancing to focus on her school work in which she had not performed well.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe proved to us that she is able to prioritise.\u201d<\/p>\n
The youngster is already preparing for next year\u2019s competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cXen\u00e8 has already qualified to compete in next year\u2019s world championships,\u201d said Jana.<\/p>\n
\u201cHer qualification came as a result of placing third in this year\u2019s competition.<\/p>\n
” Xen\u00e8 loves dancing so much that she wants to compete at all the qualifying competitions this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xen\u00e8 is already back in training.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe dancers there are insane and very talented so I want to up my game for next year,\u201d said Xen\u00e8.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just took a two-week break and am back at it again.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am going to compete at the Classique Freestyle Championships to be held at Maragon Private School, in Ruimsig, on July 22,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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Also read:<\/strong><\/p>\n Help Dawnview dancer realise her dream<\/a><\/p>\n Delville dancer shines at World Freestyle Championships<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, Leigh Hodgson (journalist)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>or Puleng Sekabate\u00a0<\/span>pulengs@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong><\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n