“Are the buttons at my back really closed?” I turn around one more time towards my dance partner Jeroen. He sights slightly annoyed “Yes, they are!” I am actually not that nervous, however I want to ensure that all unnessesary and stupid harms to our approaching competition are minimized. The juniors compete, the pupil class, C-class, B-class,… it takes quite a while till the A-class is announced with the words “German Championship 2022 mainclass”. Not long any more till we are going to enter the stage…
It is always similar with my nervousness: some seconds before I smile into the crowd cheering at me, I become slightly excited. But then, when the music kicks in and I start to show what I have been training for within the last months and years, I suddenly do not feel anything else but concentration, relieve and happiness. I enjoy being thrown into the air, flipping around, flying over the parquet floor and dancing according to the rhythm of the music. To some it up: I love my sport. And I love it even more when I can make others happy performing it.
That way the championship in König-Wusterhausen in June 2022 is a great experience as well. It is the first time that such an event can be hosted again without fastidious Covid-restriction rules. We meet people from all over Germany, and as always it is not about the few minutes that we are on stage, but the greatest experience is done backstage with all the discussions, motivating words and hugs.
“Are you sure? The buttons are really closed?” I look at my partner still with a question mark in my face, which only lifts after he has nodded again. “Ok, then let’s go!”