Teignmouth dance star Niko's world-class success

Spectacular Teignmouth dancer Niko Merelle has been ranked seventh best in the world in the Junior Solo Acrobatic Dance category.

Niko, aged 16, was representing England in the Dance World Cup, which took place in Dublin this month and attracted competitors from around 60 countries.

He said: “I think I’m still processing it. It’s definitely a big achievement, considering that acro isn’t my main style – it’s one of the ones I love, but it’s not my chosen style.”

Niko’s preferred categories are commercial and contemporary dance, but his dance school – which entered him for the competition – didn’t have a suitable video to submit in time for the deadline. At the time he had just won a gold medal for acro at the UK Dance Class Championship, so they submitted the video of that performance instead.

Next year he plans to compete in the commercial and contemporary categories of the Dance World Cup as well, and is hoping for a podium finish – first, second or third place.

As well as the support of his dance school, the Groovement Project in Plymouth, Niko was helped to reach the World Cup by the people of Teignmouth.

In the run-up to the event he and his mother Jody launched a crowdfunder to pay the costs of taking part, and raised more than £1,000 in donations from local residents.

Jody said: “We were so grateful – it was the local people that allowed him to get to the dance World Cup - we couldn’t have done it without them.

“Dancing is so expensive and there are so many costs associated with it – costumes, competition fees, travel, training fees, it’s just non-stop, so we’re super grateful that people helped so much. Having the support of the town you’re living in makes it extra special.”