KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s Cherry Yeo continues her stellar form on the global stage, clinching the adult female solo Latin title at the North Macedonia Open on Monday.
Representing the Kuala Lumpur DanceSport Association (KLDSA), Cherry delivered a commanding performance in the final round, scoring 150 points to secure the top spot. She edged out Anna Avrami of Albania, who scored 143 points, while Greece’s Chrisanthi Stamatiou placed third with 135 points.
The event, held in Skopje, featured participants from 22 countries, including Austria, Italy, Spain, and Malaysia, and was a world-ranked competition.
This victory reinforces Cherry’s position as the world number one in the female solo Latin category, with an impressive 820 ranking points.
The year 2024 has been particularly fruitful for Cherry, who has claimed eight titles, including her win at the WDSF World Cup in Belgrade last month.
Cherry’s journey to victory wasn’t without challenges.
“My greatest challenge was losing my luggage because the transit time between flights was too short. I didn’t get my luggage in time. I was in a state of panic and didn’t know what to do,” she revealed.
“Luckily, I had my costume and shoes in my hand carry, and my friend lent me some makeup products.”
Currently pursuing her studies in London, Cherry also shared the struggles of balancing academics and intense training.
“My schedule is very tiring, from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm most days. I try to slot in practice time whenever I can. I’d send my practice videos to my coaches back home, Mr Chua and Ms Evon, who would then help me brush up on my techniques.”
Despite the challenges, Cherry emphasised the importance of perseverance.
“I’m exhausted, but it’s all worth it. It’s really about discipline—you just have to do it to improve and get to where you want to be,” she said.
Cherry also credited her father for his unwavering support.
“My father came all the way from Malaysia to be here for me. He helped me get all the water and food I needed, and I’m so thankful for that. I’d also like to thank my coaches for their guidance.”
Looking ahead, Cherry is determined to achieve even greater success. “I really hope to win the world title this year since I didn’t manage to join last year,” she said.
“Cherry is a rising star in dancesport, continuing her winning streak with gold at the 2024 Macedonia Open. Her remarkable performance in the WDSF adult women’s Latin category has cemented her status as a leading contender on the international stage.
“Following her three gold medals in Spain and her triumph at the World Cup in Serbia, Cherry is now an inspiration for aspiring dancesport athletes worldwide,” the Malaysia Dancesport Federation (MYDF) said in a statement today.
Cherry’s success is also attributed to the unwavering support and expertise of her coaches, Chua Zjen Fong and Evon Chong, whose guidance has been instrumental in her accomplishments. — November 20, 2024