World champion: Yeo showing her winning trophy and certificate at the WDSF World Cup Solo Latin Female Adult category in Belgrade, Serbia.
PETALING JAYA: Beneath the gentle exterior lies a fire waiting to ignite. For Cherry Yeo, that fire is unleashed on the dance floor, where she transforms into a whirlwind of movement and passion.
With her graceful and energetic moves, the 20-year-old sashayed her way to the top in the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) Female Adult – Solo Latin ranking after winning the WDSF Open competition in London, United Kingdom in September last year.A month later, Yeo created history by becoming the first Malaysian to bag the WDSF World Cup Solo Latin in Belgrade, Serbia.
Having captured eight gold medals from various championships in 2024, the Sarawakian now ranks second with 856 points.
For Yeo, the journey to this remarkable achievement began at the tender age of five.“Back then, I followed my sister to her Latin dance class every Saturday. I loved the pretty skirts and heels she wore, so I asked my mother if I could learn too,” she said in an interview.
Yeo’s love for dancing grew passionately over time, as she found it “a unique sense of expression and joy that she could not find anywhere else”.
Her repertoire is as diverse as it is impressive, covering Latin styles such as samba, cha cha, rumba and paso doble, to ballroom styles like waltz, tango, foxtrot and quickstep, contemporary, ballet, jazz, hip hop and even rhythmic gymnastics.
“However, Latin dance remains my favourite. I am most comfortable in this style and I love the music and high-energy atmosphere,” enthused Yeo.
Recalling her feat in Serbia, Yeo said having won the WDSF World Cup Solo Latin was both a surreal and grounding moment.
She was in a lecture when the news reached her, but it wasn’t until congratulations started pouring in that the weight of her achievement truly hit her.
“On a personal level, this title has allowed me to have more faith and trust in myself,” she said, reflecting on how far she has come from the shy, timid child she once was.Despite her meteoric rise, Yeo remains grounded, acknowledging the challenges that come with her success.
“The standard of Latin dance is very high and constantly improving,” she said, referencing the fierce competition she faces globally.
Yet, she keeps her motivation intact by focusing on the joy of dance rather than the pressure to win.
“I dance because I want to express myself through movements instead of words,” she said.
Now studying in London and working part-time as a dance coach, Yeo balances her academic commitments with her dance career.
“I still train through online classes with my coaches in Malaysia,” she says. “Though the schedule is demanding, I want to embrace the challenge and find time to dance and study.”
Her decision to pursue a Professional Dance and Musical Theatre degree came after a period of reflection and experimentation with other fields.
“My mum suggested that I study dance since I love it so much. I gave it a long thought, as it is a non-traditional path, but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to go, and I don’t regret my decisions at all.”
Looking ahead, Yeo has big dreams. Inspired by her coaches, she aims to secure a role in a West End musical, dance for popular artists and become a professional dancer on “Strictly Come Dancing”, a British dance show in which celebrities partner with professional dancers to compete in ballroom and Latin dance.
To young people aspiring to achieve their dreams, Yeo offers this advice: “Don’t be affected by others you believe are better than you. Focus on yourself, and a positive mindset is key. Enjoy what you do; don’t do it just to win.”
