Local newsNews

Westville’s Jackie glides to a world championship win

With the World Championship title under her belt, she will now move up to the intermediate division.

FILLED with passion and dedication to dance, Jackie Despy leapt at the chance to compete in the World’s Country Dance World Championships in Nashville and was named the overall champion in the Line Dance Female Diamond Novice division.

In 2013, only one year after she started dancing, she won the world championships. Two years later she won the Northern Masters in the UK and in 2017 took third place in Blackpool.

As a working mom, she tries to fit her training in-between her job and time with her family which varies between two to five hours a week. It is the social aspect of dancing, professed the Cowies Hill resident, that really puts a smile on her face.

The 59-year-old performed a waltz, samba, smooth dance and a stage dance (Charleston) for nine judges.

ALSO READ: [LISTEN] Durban’s Hip-Hop artist, Chadwick J launches new album

“I was dancing against others that were at least 19 years younger than me. It is one of the biggest divisions and makes it harder to win,” said Jackie.

When they announced her win, she was overcome with emotion.

“It was very emotional and my win was embarrassing as I did an ugly cry. I am more than excited with my win. I have never wanted to win something as much as I wanted to win that competition,” said a proud Jackie.

With the win under her belt, Jackie will move up into the intermediate division and, while there are no plans to compete abroad anytime soon, she is excited to tackle a few local competitions this year.

Serena Rajkumar, her coach from Solo Rhythm, said, “I am very proud of her as she danced beautifully. I admire that she has put in so much effort in-between all of her other work. She is an amazing dancer.”

 

 

Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via Telegram? Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.

You can also join the conversation on FacebookTwitter and Instagram.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts.

Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.

Related Articles

Back to top button