Dedication Behind a Four-Time World Champion
What does it take to become a world champion at just 10 years old and maintain that status for four consecutive years? Irish dancer Tomi Elemide seems to have found the answer: a strict regimen of no video games, no other sports, just relentless dancing and practice.
"When I would get back from school I would get changed and go straight to dance class every day and that would go on for about five days a week,"Tomi explained.
His routine involves two hours of practice on weekdays, with an additional three to four hours during weekends, totaling up to 14 hours of jigs and reels each week.
This intense commitment has yielded remarkable results.
Tomi, hailing from north Belfast, was the only male dancer to achieve a perfect score of 900 points at the world championships held in Schaumburg, Illinois, last month.
The competition is organized by An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha (the Commission of Irish Dancing), the largest and oldest governing body of Irish dancing worldwide, which attracts the finest dancers globally.
"He doesn't like going out to play just like every other kid his age, he just wants Irish dancing,"said Tomi's father, Boye Elemide, reflecting on his son's unique focus.
"That's his life - so it's easy, all we had to do is bring him up there and then make sure he enjoys what he loves doing. We just support him and that's it."
Discovering a Passion for Irish Dance
Although men and boys have always played a significant role in Irish dancing, the sport has often been associated with girls in curly wigs and elaborate dresses. The 1994 Riverdance phenomenon transformed public perception, greatly increasing the popularity and interest in Irish dancing.
It was a Riverdance video that first captivated Tomi at the age of six.
"I saw a video in school one day. I immediately fell in love with it, it looked really, really fun,"he recalled.
Boye, originally from Nigeria, had never encountered Irish dancing before his son's enthusiasm introduced him to the art form.
Finding a suitable dance class was the next step.
"From the first day he walked into dance class his behaviour, his reaction, his listening and everything just clicked in and from there on he just loved it,"Boye said.
"From day one, it's just been like a miracle."
Tomi currently trains at the Carson Academy in Dunmurry up to six times a week. He acknowledges that his background and path into Irish dancing are uncommon.
Boye expressed relief when he first saw another ethnic minority participant at competition level.
"It's a privilege to be able to see someone of colour doing what you do and then to carry on the legacy, it's so impressive,"he added.
"It's not obviously usual to see people like me dance but I would like to tell everyone that no matter where you're from, what you look like, you can always be whatever you want no matter what it is,"Tomi stated.
He acknowledged experiencing some challenges due to his skin colour but emphasized that his dedication to dancing helps him overcome such obstacles.
"I would never really let that get to me because I would just think about all the achievements that I've won and all the hard work I put in, and the dedication that I put into my dancing."
Promoting Irish Dance Among Boys
Tomi aims to encourage boys to consider dancing as a rewarding pursuit comparable to other sports, emphasizing its difficulty and the effort required.
"People may say that oh it's not that hard you just go up on stage and you just dance away but it's really hard. In the background with all the dance classes and school, you just have to keep pushing through because dancing's really, really difficult, just as much as other sports."
He believes that with the right footwork and commitment, the journey is fulfilling.
"I would say whatever you want to do, that's what you're destined to be, and when you believe you definitely will achieve."
Tomi's journey in Irish dancing is documented in the film Irish Dance Star, available now on BBC .
