In the RTÉ Kids' family documentary My Story: Tomi Champion of the World, we follow Tomi Elemide (12) on an emotional rollercoaster as he gets set to defend his title at the Irish Dance World Championships!
Stream Tomi's story now on RTÉ Player and watch it on RTÉ Kids YouTube up top!
Tomi's entire world is dancing - he eats, breaths and sleeps it. He won his first World Championship aged just 10. Dancing since he was only 6, his passion for dance has infected both his Belfast-born mother, Nigerian-born father and the entire family too.
The show features some famous faces who are there to give our hero some top tips. TikTok stars The Gardiner Brothers and Riverdance lead dancer Amy-Mae Dolan are on hand with words of advice. Tomi even gets to meet the Lord of the Dance himself, Michael Flatley, who gives him a chance to experience a professional audition.
Go behind the scenes to see what it takes to get to the top as the young dancer trains up to three hours a day six times a week. Tomi says he started to realise he was 'good' as he from went through the grades, on to championships before going on to win competitions.
But did he ever think he would be competing for world titles? Tomi says: "At the beginning I never thought dancing would be serious, or I could win competitions but as I kept achieving goals my confidence grew. Then I started to know that becoming a World Champion was very much possible."
Tomi Champion of the World gives viewers a fascinating insight into the competitive world of Irish dance through the eyes of one of its rising stars and shines a spotlight on the dedication, skill and sacrifice it takes to compete at the highest level.
While his family support him, the real drive and determination comes from the young man himself. To compete at this level takes an elite standard of athleticism, rhythm and a serious stage presence. And the last bit is really important, so Tomi gets a serious final fit check with a brand-new custom designed handmade costume for the big event.
As part of a dance school that trains in community spaces in the heart of Belfast, Tomi and his family feel they are part of a dance family unit. This special bond and the support of his teachers and peers pushes the young dancer on to be the best he can be and makes it all worth it.
Tomi says: "My first Irish dance school was the Carson Academy, with my teacher Gerard Carson, and I have been there ever since. At first, I was nervous when I started dancing but that went away when I met my friends who I dance with in class and all the Carson tea,m and they instantly made me feel welcome as soon as I went through the doors. And now we are not just a dance school, we are a forever dance family who are making memories that will last a lifetime."
That being said, this driven young man is in it to win it, so before the World Championships there are other titles to be won, and with all eyes on him as two times world champion, Tomi travels to compete in the All Ireland Championships in Killarney.
Then it's not long before the pressure starts ramping up for the World Championships in Dublin. The teachers are looking for perfection and with the competition looming even those at the top can start to let doubts creep in. Can Tomi keep it together and do it again?
Tomi Champion of the World is streaming now on RTÉ Player.
It is part of the My Story series of documentaries following the lives of young people.
For more content for young people go to RTÉ Player Kids.
