Local dancer wins big in Portugal

Described as the natural endowment of a person, talent is something that cannot be forced or contrived. The world must count itself lucky to play host to an array of people who with their varying opinions have different talents too.

One such individual is hip-hop dancer, Neena van Rooyen (16) who recently took part in the World Cup of Dance in Portugal. She competed against 6 000 dancers from more than 50 countries and won gold, silver and bronze medals.

Neena explained that she started freestyle dancing about eight years ago. During that time she joined the Mario Gomez Hip Hop Dance Academy and has been dancing ever since. When asked what about hip-hop interested her, she said she fell in completely in love with the style of dance.

At the world cup, the avid dancer received gold for her junior duet/trio – hip-hop and street dance – with partner Nicolas Strous, beating Portugal, England, Germany, Israel, Iceland, Canada and India and many more. She also received a silver medal for the senior small group commercial category and bronze for senior large group commercial. “It is actually quite funny because I remember watching Nicolas doing a solo at his competition and thinking he was absolutely amazing. Now, four years later, I go to share first place with him for our duo,” she said.

For her, representing the country on a world stage was something she felt completely grateful and proud of. “The emotions behind that experience is something too great to express by means of words.”

She has previously represented the country in three international competitions. For her, nerves hit the hardest just as she is about to get on stage. “During the actual performance I normally don’t hear a thing besides the music and all I think of is being able to deliver a promising performance.”

What she loves most about dancing is being able to connect to the music as well as expressing any kind of emotion through her moves. Neena is inspired by her coach, Mario Gomes whom she pegs as her number one inspiration. She hopes to be as humble and driven towards the passion that grows deeply in her studio.

The gold medal winner has two passions in her life, dancing and working with children. “I have not really decided yet but if I had to choose between the two careers I would love to either open up my own dance studio overseas or be able to work with children as an occupational therapist.”

To young aspirant dancers, Neena said to always be humbled by your wins, work harder through your failures and to remember to work hard.