South African dancers triumph at Disney World, becoming world champions Celebrating South Africa's young dance champions at Disney World
Two 14-year-old dancers from Knysna have returned home as world champions after claiming top honours at the prestigious Dance the World event at Walt Disney World in Florida, proving that talent, determination and community support can take young South Africans to the global stage.
Fiah-Bella Fredericks, a pupil at Oakhill College, and Chioma Tagbo, who attends Knysna High School, represented South Africa as members of the national team after being selected through the Theatre Dance Organisation's nationwide MOVE competition.
Their journey to the international stage followed a series of regional, provincial and national qualifying rounds held throughout 2025.
The pair competed against approximately 3,500 dancers from more than 20 countries across 12 dance genres and emerged as the World Dance Champions in the Intermediate (14 years) Hip Hop Duet category, earning gold medals, known by the organisers as the World Class Diamond award.
