FROM the age of 9, Reegyn Geoi has been drawn to the beats of Latin music with dance as her first love.
Today, the 19-year-old is The Open Worlds Latin Solo Amateur Champion.
Held at Blackpool Tower in the UK last month, Geoi competed against over 40 top dancers from across the globe and wowed the judges with her expressive moves and technique.
"To stand here today as the champion is an indescribable feeling; it's like a dream come true!" says the Klang-born Geoi.
She also took home second place in the Amateur 3 Dances Couple event with Siew Wei Lok.
The Open Worlds Championships sees professional Ballroom and Latin American dancers, children, and adults from around the world competing in a range of competition categories, including the World Championship title.
Geoi credits her success to the strong support of family, friends, and dance coaches.
The dedicated dancer took up ballet at the age of 3 and is even well-versed in K-pop, having competed in K-pop competitions.
Geoi has won numerous solo and couple titles across Malaysia, Asia, and Europe.
The Sunway University student in Information Systems joined Danspiration Studio as a teacher in mid-2021.
Her dance coach and Danspiration Studio principal Howard Loke is as thrilled with her achievement.
"It means so much to me that we can show the world that Malaysians are as talented as many solo dancers from all over the globe.
"Besides, by winning the title, we hope to encourage more people to participate in European competitions, as well as The Open Worlds Championship in Blackpool, UK."
Loke says his dance team underwent extra preparation for the UK contest, including attending dance camps and taking additional private lessons in China, UK, and Germany.
Before departing for the UK, the team increased their training frequency to four or five times a week and engaged in specific strength and stamina training to ensure they were in peak condition.
Geoi says: "We did running, gym work, and core training."
Loke, once a competitive dancer himself, started his school in 2017. Before that, he had taught at a professional dance school in China and led his students towards winning several championships.
On whether Geoi would be representing Malaysia in the dancesport category in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games next year, Loke says: "We are working hard on this. It's a dream to join the SEA Games and Asian Games, as it embodies ambition and dedication.
"Representing your country in these prestigious events means gaining valuable experience and inspiring future generations.
"With hope and determination, we wish this vision to become a reality, bringing pride and honour to oneself and the nation.
"Let the best dancers have the opportunity to represent the country."