Joanna Leunis
Encyclopedia
Joanna Leunis, born 22 May 1981 in Rocourt Liege, Belgium
, is a professional ballroom dancer. With Michael Malitowski
, she is a former professional World Latin Dance Champion and International Latin American Dance Champion; the couple represented Poland
until 2011, representing England from then on. As a young person of 8, she suffered from a blood disease similar to leukemia
, but recovered after over a year in bed. She is a well-educated woman who speaks French, English, Dutch and German, and is working on learning Italian. She has training in ballet
, tap and standard ballroom as well as latin dances. She had several partners before Malitowski: at 19, she won the World Amateur Latin Championship, with Slavik Kryklyvyy
.
Her record in partnership with Malitowski includes wins in all the most important latin dance championships. As competition dancers, they specialise entirely in the latin dance events.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, is a professional ballroom dancer. With Michael Malitowski
Michael Malitowski
Michael Malitowski is a ballroom dancer, the former professional World Latin Dance Champion, with his partner Joanna Leunis. Michael was born 28 May 1980, in Zielona Góra, Poland. His partnership with Leunis has, since 2002, resulted in a string of victories, culminating in the world Latin...
, she is a former professional World Latin Dance Champion and International Latin American Dance Champion; the couple represented Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
until 2011, representing England from then on. As a young person of 8, she suffered from a blood disease similar to leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
, but recovered after over a year in bed. She is a well-educated woman who speaks French, English, Dutch and German, and is working on learning Italian. She has training in ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
, tap and standard ballroom as well as latin dances. She had several partners before Malitowski: at 19, she won the World Amateur Latin Championship, with Slavik Kryklyvyy
Slavik Kryklyvyy
Slavik Kryklyvyy is a professional ballroom dancer specializing in International Latin. Born and raised in Ukraine, he is currently residing in New York, USA....
.
Her record in partnership with Malitowski includes wins in all the most important latin dance championships. As competition dancers, they specialise entirely in the latin dance events.