Third place for dancer at World Freestyle Dance Championships

Andrijke is a religious person who would like to become a pastor, and her dream is to own a dance studio in the future.

Andrijke van Tonder made Dave Jones, one of her dance coaches, proud at the 2019 World Freestyle Dance Championships.

Local dancer Andrijke van Tonder might be humble, but when she hits the dance floor it is game on.

The 13-year-old Premier Champ received third place for Slow Freestyle and made it to the semi-finals in the Solo Dance category when she represented the country in the 2019 World Freestyle Dance Championships at Winter Gardens, Blackpool, England, from June 21 to 23.

Andrijke competed against top dancers from across the world.

According to Andrijke, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2017, she wanted to inspire others through dancing.

“I want to be an ambassador for people with diabetes. I’ve notice that they can become quite negative. Competing against the best dancers in the world is my way of proving that diabetes is not a death sentence,” said Andrijke.

Andrijke van Tonder, who recently represented her country at the 2019 World Freestyle Dance Championships, is determined to motivate people who have diabetes.

Andrijke added that her experience in Blackpool was amazing and that there were strong competitors.

“The dancers at the competition were extremely talented. This is why this achievement means so much to me.

“I couldn’t have done it without the support of my amazing coaches, Dave Jones and Steve Noall.

“I would like to thank my mom, grandparents, Linda Dedekind Lamprecht, BBG Fitness Centre and the community for their support. I would also like to thank the Lord for giving me this opportunity.”

She will participate in the Freestyle Festival on July 20.