Xenè freestyles to world championships
Fourteen-year-old Xenè Fowlds from Dawnview, proves that dreams do come true, provided you work hard.
Over a year ago, at her first World Freestyle Dance Championships, Xenè Fowlds was placed third in the u-14 slow dance category.
Thrilled to have won third place as a first-time contestant, a seed was planted in her mind that she was capable of taking gold the following year.
This year Xenè recently travelled to the United Kingdom again with the hope of clinching the title.
The championships returned to the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, where Xenè was crowned World Freestyle Dance Champion in the u-16 slow dance category.
However, the title did not come easy for the Dawnview dancer.
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“Everyone who prepares for world championships wants to return home with the title.
“My dance teacher, Keziah van Vreden, moulded me into the dancer that I am today.
“She took first place in the freestyle slow dance and freestyle solo categories when she entered the world championships,” said Xenè.
The Dance Rush International student and her teacher began an intense championship training programme to ensure that they were ready for the main event.
“When you set a goal, you have to work hard to achieve it because your competition is working just as hard if not harder,” said Xenè.
Every heat had about 10 dancers at a time and in total Xenè was amongst 120 girls who had to impress the judges.
This year Xenè danced in the u-16 category which she described as a tough division.
“The u-16 category generally includes dancers between the ages of 14 and 16.
“I was the ‘baby’ in the group this year.
“I cannot describe how talented those girls are.
“I remember telling Keziah that perhaps I wasn’t ready and with more training, I would only be a strong contestant next year,” she said.
By using her space on the stage and engaging with the audience, Xenè progressed to the finals.
She said she further used her face a lot in the heat to communicate with the judges and show them she had the X-factor that they kept asking for.
“When I stepped out onto the floor for my final slow dance, an amazing thing happened.
“This is me by The Greatest Showman burst through the speakers.
“A song I constantly played at home and at the studio,” said Xenè.
“I found courage and calmness in this song and there it was playing.
“I gave my all on that stage.
“Just hearing the words, ‘I am who I’m meant to be, this is me.’
“I knew something great was going to happen.
“And now I am a world champion.”
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Returning home with the title was enough to help Xenè forget about the bruises and long hours of training she had endured.
“A week before leaving for the UK my feet were bruised, I had danced until I was numb.
“I was in the studio practising for two and a half hours every weekday and on weekends.
“Keziah really pushed me to greatness and I am grateful,” she said.
“Thank you to Steve Noall and David Jones who helped with the choreography.
“To Sadie van Vreden, thank you for your input and advice.
“Thank you Chrisna Scott for the amazing outfits.
“To my family and all my sponsors who supported me and made this trip possible, I cannot thank you enough.”
Next year Xenè aims to take first place in both the freestyle slow dance category and in the freestyle solo category where she placed fifth this year.
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