Competing against the best dance crews around the world, local dancers from the King Dance Studio earned third place in the Global Dance Supreme.
The Gqeberha dance crew walked away with bronze at the biggest dance competition held in Dubai from July 7 to July 12.
Despite initial funding challenges, the team were able to showcase their passion and unique dance skills on the world stage.
Choreographer and coach, Junior King, explained how funding came through three weeks before the competition.
“At first, we weren’t sure whether we were going to Dubai because we didn’t have the necessary funds, so we didn’t rehearse as much as I would have liked.”
King expressed gratitude for the funding that came through via Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie.
“A shout out to Gayton McKenzie and everyone from the Patriotic Alliance, when they came through for us and sponsored the rest of the money we needed.”
The group’s journey to the world finals began with the nationals, where they won gold in Cape Town earlier this year.
“We were the only crew from Gqeberha to qualify,” he shared. “We won a gold medal and that is ultimately what qualified us to go to the World Dance Championship in Dubai.”
At the national qualifiers, dance crews needed to be in sync with one another, their routine original, authentic and powerful while also making a statement.
“Your facial expression, stage presence and attire were very important,” King added. “There are many dance styles they used in the competition, but we used hip hop and isolation/robotics , which fall under isolation. We also did a South African dance style called Amapiano, which I feel set us apart from other dance crews.”
King Dance Studio won Gold at the National Global Dance Supreme held in Cape Town, and in Dubai they walked away with bronze.
Originally from Fernwood Park in Bethelsdorp, where he grew up, King’s passion for dance started at the age of 8.
“I started dancing at the age of 6 and became a choreographer since the age of 8 and was the leader of my school dance group, the Nappy Boys, at the time,” King recalled.
“I’ve been choreographing my twin sisters and have my own group, so it has been more than 20 years.”
King described dancing as a passion he simply fell in love with.
“When I grew up, everyone else was playing soccer, rugby or cricket and everyone wanted to play sport,” he shared.
“I played sport but never fell in love with it; I never had a passion for it until I found dancing.”
He showcases his talent and passion on TikTok, which “keeps the lights on.”
“Today it is paying all the bills and keeping the lights on, so I invest a lot of time into this one craft.”
His advice to young people with exceptional talent and passion for dance is to never give up.
“Many adults are going to tell you that dancing or music is just a hobby and that you need to focus on getting a 09:00 to 17:00,” he said. “When your passion is your job, you will never feel like you’ve worked a day in your life. I dance and make music full time; it is, and I absolutely love doing it.”
King, however, emphasised the importance of having a solid education while pursuing a passion in dance.
“It is very important to have an academic qualification behind your name because anything can happen in the space of dancing. You could break a leg, so you need an education as a backup,” he said.
“Work on your passion as hard as you work on your academic studies because your passion can change your life.”
