Hanna van den Barselaar-Smith, 12, Named Overall Junior Dance Champion of the World at WCOPA 2026
- Hanna van den Barselaar-Smith, a 12-year-old from Ashton International College Ballito, competed at the 2026 WCOPA in the US against performers from 54 countries
- The young South African swept the preliminary rounds, winning gold medals in ballet, jazz, lyrical, and open dance categories
- Hanna's final performance placed her among the top four junior soloists, setting up a showdown for the sport's biggest junior title
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Source: Facebook
A twelve-year-old South African dancer has brought home one of the biggest titles in performing arts after competing on a global stage in Las Vegas.
Hanna van den Barselaar-Smith, a student at Ashton International College Ballito in KwaZulu-Natal, was crowned Overall Junior Dance Champion of the World at the 2026 World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA). She competed alongside performers from 54 countries across five disciplines, including acting, singing, dance, instrumental music, and modelling.
Hanna made her mark early in the competition. During the preliminary rounds, she won gold in ballet, jazz, lyrical, and open categories, and took silver in contemporary dance. Her scores also earned her individual junior champion titles in both ballet and open styles.
From semi-finals to world champion
Only the highest-scoring dancers advanced to the semi-finals. Hanna qualified and chose to perform a ballet routine, which saw her placed among the top four junior soloists in the world. That result secured her a spot in the final showcase, where she delivered a performance that clinched the ultimate title.
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The final was held on the same Las Vegas stage where Elvis Presley once performed over 800 shows.
Ashton International College Ballito celebrated the achievement on social media, describing it as a moment that "made history" and crediting Hanna's dedication, discipline, and passion for carrying her to the world stage.
Mzansi proud of young champion
Reactions on the school's Facebook post poured in from across the country.
@Nawaal Howa said:
"Yet another exceptional South African feat on a world stage. Well done, young lady. Proudly South African!"
@Gaynor McVitty added:
"Well done, young lady. I'm sure that behind your success lies many hours of hard work and dedication. Congratulations to your family as well."
See the full Facebook post below:
More on talent and dance
- Briefly News recently reported on a South African man whose Siya Kolisi-inspired dance moves had SA excited.
- Davido and Chioma set social media alight with a very enticing dance video that had fans comparing them to a well-known celeb couple.
- Meanwhile, an emotional father-daughter dance event inside a US prison brought incarcerated dads face to face with daughters they hadn't seen in years.
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Source: Briefly News
