Durban couple prepares for World Professional Ballroom Dance Championship in Tokyo
Mark and Edlena Leslie-Smith is set to compete in the World Professional Ballroom Dance Championship in Tokyo
Image: Seth Coyne
WHEN Mark and Edlena Leslie-Smith began dance lessons in preparation for their wedding, least did they realise that 25 years later they would be competing at the World Professional Ballroom Dance Championship.
The Durban North couple is set to compete in the World Professional Ballroom Dance Championship in Tokyo this October against the best ballroom dancers in the world.
Leslie-Smith, a beauty therapist, said they had been competing on the world stage in the amateur category, but this would be there first time as professionals.
"Mark and I are excited to compete in Tokyo. We are so passionate about our beautiful artform and sport, it is literally sculpture in movement. We are training diligently four times a week, while working and keeping our household running. But we are doing what we love most, dancing.
"This is a wonderful opportunity. This is the pinnacle of our dance journey to compete in the professional category internationally. Part of dancing is our mental health and wellness. There is a little bit of glamour so you have to keep fit and in shape to look good. I get to wear a ballgown at least once a month," she said.
Leslie-Smith said they turned professional at the end of last year and competed in December in the SA Dance Championships and qualified for the world champs.
"For the last seven years we were undefeated in the amateur category in the SA championship. Mark and I represented South Africa in Canada, Belgium and Spain in the amateurs.
"Transitioning to professional dancing presents more challenges. When we started 25 years ago we did Latin and Ballroom dancing, but specialised ballroom. Ballroom suited us because of our silhouette," she said.
Leslie-Smith said Mark, who is an architect, decided before their wedding that they should go for dance lessons.
"After our wedding we continued to dance socially. Our instructor suggested entering a competition. After me pursuading Mark he relented and that sparked our interest in ballroom dance competitions.
"Dancing is an evolution. Over the years you move through different categories. It took us 15 years to get to championship level," she said.
She thanked their coach, Daryl Bennewith for his guidance over the past few years.