South African dancers made history recently, returning from the 2025 Dance World Cup in Spain as overall World Champions in the Junior and Senior Hip Hop Divisions.

Marking a new chapter for South African Dancing talent with Cape Town’s very own K&J Dance Unlimited Studio, leading the way in this commendable show of talent, dedication, and hard work.

Often called the ‘Olympics of Dance’, this year’s competition, held in Burgos, Spain, was unlike any other for the South African national dance team as they proudly established themselves among the world’s best.  

At the heart of this success story is Peyton Witten, one of the many talented young dancers from K&J Dance Unlimited Studio in Cape Town. 

At just 16, Peyton was part of the gold medal-winning group that impressed the judges the most. She’s been dancing since she was just three years old.

As Peyton and her family explored Spain’s vibrant streets, I had the pleasure of speaking to Peyton and her parents Carl an Clarissa against the backdrop of the ancient Leon Cathedral. While embracing such a rich culture, vibrantly different from South Africa, Peyton expressed how it ignited her passion for this year’s World Champs from “dancing in the street with little German girls, and Spanish, to talking to other people from countries like Ireland”.

“It was so memorable and amazing,” Peyton shared, reflecting on her time soaking up the local atmosphere away from the big stage. 

Peyton speaks of the supportive atmosphere among all competitors, one that evoked “no animosity, no one was nasty… everyone was so passionate about their country, and South Africa, like, just came together, and everyone was so passionate, and yeah, it was beautiful,” she said. 

Individually, Peyton earned an impressive 10th place worldwide in the tough Junior Commercial Solo (Hip-Hop) category.

‘Da Future’ Legacy

Peyton, as part of Senior Large Group, the “Da Future” team, took home the Gold medal, becoming World Champions.

This win brought shouts of joy and tears for both Peyton, her family, and the entire South African team on stage. For Peyton and her team, this victory was “amazing”.

“It truly was, it felt surreal. It didn’t feel real because it’s such a huge accomplishment. It’s insane that we could do that,” Peyton recounted, still marvelling at the victory with “so much gratitude, so much love… it was an amazing feeling, truly to feel on top of the world.”

This victory also came with a significant 3,000 euro prize for the team, and a special invite to the prestigious Gala Grand Finals, cementing South Africa’s place as a potent force in the world of international dance.

Peyton described the invitation as “really special”.

“It meant a lot. Since it’s such a prestigious event, it’s like you worked so hard, and now you’re being invited to something for all of your hard work, and being acknowledged globally, which is so amazing.”

Peyton spoke about her team’s approach before their performances, particularly for Da Future’s performance.

Recalling this experience, Peyton describes the pre-ritual for the group reflectively, as they “went aside and just warmed up. I just led a little unwinding thing, and then we were warming up, then we were going around saying our corrections,” she explained.

“Then we ran the dance a few, like two times and then we played the music and sat and practiced it, like all together but with no speaking, we just sat down and practiced and then we physically practiced; and then we meditate and go into the right headspace for a few minutes.”

Going for Gold

For Peyton, maintaining her focus also involved faith and self-belief: “I just get into the right headspace; I’m here, I have got to do this, I get to do this. I work on my breathing, and then I pray for a nice chunk of time, reminding myself that God’s with me.”

Reflecting on the balance between intense competition and enjoying the experience, Peyton felt it was a natural fit.

“I mean, I was nervous – I mean, we all were – but we’ve been working so hard, we knew what we were doing, so I didn’t think there was much anxiety towards remembering the dance,” she recalled. “I was very much able to balance everything.”

The most challenging aspect for Peyton was her nerves, she admitted. Yet, the key lesson she took away was empowering: “You can, you can do it. I never would have imagined I’d be here, but here I am, and I believed it, and I did it.

“If you set your mind to it, if you work hard, it’s, you sacrifice things… with these trials come triumphs, and yeah, no, it’s worth it in the end.. it’s all worth it.”

This historic win was more than just dancing at a competition. 

Showcased on the international stage, with a never-say-die mentality and a support system fostered in the right environment, these athletes are among the best in the world.

With love from Spain

Peyton speaks with passion about how the studio’s impact on her overall attitude towards dance: “K&J, it’s like a family, it truly is like a home. I think I’m 100% myself when I’m at the studio. I feel like I can be authentic, like I can be myself without being judged.”

Peyton continues to mention how Jackie Gomes, owner of K&J Dance Unlimited, is a “huge part of my life”.

“She’s just like a mother to me, and she truly knows me so well. I owe everything to her, as well as my choreographers. It’s not just shaped me as a dancer, but as a person too. Dance has taught me discipline, it’s taught me the sense of family, and love.”

K&J Dance Unlimited’s Achievements at the 2025 Dance World Cup

Gold 1st Place – World Champions:

• Da-Future – Senior Commercial Large Group

• Supreme – Senior Commercial Small Group

Silver 2nd Place – World Champions:

• Ultimate – Junior Commercial Large Group

Bronze 3rd Place – World Champions:

• Solidity – Senior Street Dance Small Group

4th Place:

• Validity – Junior Commercial Small Group

5th Place:

• Copius – Junior Commercial Small Group

• Exonerate – Junior Contemporary Small Group

6th Place:

• Cosmic – Children Commercial Small Group

• Effeminacy – Senior Commercial Small Group

• Hi Ren – Senior Showstopper Small Group

Ten teams from K&J Dance Unlimited placed in the Top Six throughout the entire competition.

This achievement is a testament to Jackie’s mentality, along with her team of choreographers, and the studio’s approach to their love for dance as seen at this year’s Dance World Cup, Burgos, Spain.

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