The last thing on his mind was participating in the Red Bull Dance Your Style competition this year, since he was still recovering from an injury, but when he decided to enter at the last minute, he won the regional competition for a second time – despite the injury.
Freestyle dancer, Cheslyn Meyer, recently managed to dance his way to the top spot of the Gqeberha division of the competition, held at the Boardwalk Mall.
As the winner of the regional competition, the 33-year-old from Schauderville will be competing against other regional winners at the national final in Pretoria in October this year. Whoever walks away with the national title gets to compete in the World Final in Johannesburg in December.
Having also won the regional competition in 2019 but only making it to the quarter-finals at national level, Meyer is determined to bring home the ultimate crown this year. “For me it was fun because I didn’t compete last year and coming back to compete this year – and winning – is an awesome feeling.
“Winning for the second time feels even greater, even though I didn’t even expect to win.
“The first time I won was in 2019 when the competition came to Nelson Mandela Bay for the first time. I didn’t compete the second time,” Meyer said.
A full-time street dancer, who also works at Nicki Ray Academy of Performing Arts, Meyer said that although his immediate family has a huge love for music and entertainment, he is the only one pursuing the arts full-time.
“I’ve always been drawn to dance and was told that I never sit still when there is music playing and it comes naturally to me, but I work hard to learn as much about a style or genre so that I can better myself as a dancer.
“I’ve been dancing since primary school. I started as a B-Boy and I’m still breakdancing competitively, actually going strong after more than 20 years. I incorporate all the other street genres, such as house, popping, locking and krumping,” he explained.
The regional tour has two remaining stops before the South African winner is announced and the stakes couldn’t be higher as this date draws closer.
“I’m looking forward to seeing other dancers from all over South Africa and the level of dance at a national level. I’m going to do my best and make sure that I represent my city well,” he added.
“I think that Dance Your Style is a great platform and knowing that I stand a chance to take the title and possibly compete against other winners from around the world if I win the nationals, is overwhelming but a feeling that drives me to work even harder.”
