Tap Dancers Earn Medals at International Championship
Local tap dancers Madeline and Luke Scrase proudly represented South Africa at the International Dance Organisation (IDO) World Tap Dance Championships held in Prague, Czechia. The event took place at the Unyp Arena from October 22 to 25, featuring 1,700 dancers from 21 countries.
Return with Medals
The Scrase siblings, alongside Madison Versveld from Kempton Park, carried South Africa’s flag high and returned home with two bronze medals and a silver. This marked a significant achievement for the country in tap dancing.
Individual Achievements
- Madeline Scrase secured a bronze medal in the adult female solo category, finishing as second vice-world champion out of 45 competitors. She was also a multiple finalist, having won silver in 2022 and bronze in 2023.
- Luke Scrase earned a bronze medal in the adult male solo category.
- Madison Versveld won silver in the adult male category and triumphed in the freestyle "battle of the feet" contest where dancers improvise to a tempo set by judges.
Historic Milestones for South Africa
This year marked the first time South Africa had two tap dancers reach the solo finals and both finish on the podium. Additionally, Madeline and Luke placed sixth in the adult duo category, the first South African duo to reach the finals in 14 years.
"Versveld concluded a remarkable competition by clinching the battle of the feet contest. This is a freestyle dance-off where the judges give the dancers a tempo, and they are required to improvise in front of a live audience."
This outstanding performance has set a new standard for South African tap dancing on the global stage.
Author’s summary: South African tap dancers Madeline and Luke Scrase, with Madison Versveld, achieved historic success at the 2024 IDO World Tap Dance Championships, winning multiple medals and marking milestones for their country.