LeAF Studio’s Oliver Beardmore has been crowned Junior Latin champion and overall runner-up in the World 10 Dance Championships, held in Russia.
As the latest celebrities dip their twinkle toes into the world of Strictly Come Dancing, one Bournemouth teenager continues to waltz off with international dance honours.
LeAF Studio’s Oliver Beardmore, with his partner Lydia Hall, has recently returned triumphant from the Wold 10 Dance Championships held in Moscow, Russia.
They were crowned champions in the Russian Junior Open Latin competition and finished overall runners-up in the whole championship.
The pair, who are ranked number two in the world, also scored an impressive third in the Russian Junior Open Ballroom Championships.
Oliver, 15, said: “It felt absolutely wonderful to do so well in the World 10 Dance Championships.
“We were both really pleased with how well it went and it has given us a lot of confidence going forward.”
At LeAF Studio, Oliver is among talented performance students who are combining their daily academic studies with top dance and drama coaching.
And he will need all that specialist help and support as he enters Year 11, his GCSE year.
For the talented teenager combines his school work with a gruelling training and competition schedule – he competes most weekends, including taking in one international competition a month.
“My ultimate ambition is to become a professional ballroom dancer but I want to complete my education and the help I get at LeAF for that is invaluable,” he added.
Next up for Oliver is the International Dance Championships that will be held in Essex later this month.
Executive principal of the LeAF Academy, Gill Blanshard, said: “Oliver is a remarkable young man and we are all very proud of him.
“To be ranked number two in the world for his age and be able to continue to work so hard at school is testament to his determination and dedication to succeed.
“We now wish him all the very best in the Internationals.”
