Blind dancer Talis Engel aims for dance floor dominance despite having only 8% vision.

Dance enthusiast Taliso Engel, with only eight percent vision, aims to dominate the dance floor. - Blind Dance Aspiration of Taliso Engel, Who Clings to an Eight Percent Vision Span

Stick around, dance fans! RTL's "Let's Dance" is back with a bang on February 21, 2025. Every Friday, get ready to see familiar faces strutting their stuff on the dance floor with professional partners. Motsi Mabuse, Joachim Llambi, and Jorge González are back as judges, bringing their wit and wisdom to the table. Let's meet our newest contender: Taliso Engel.

The Man Who Swims with Eyes Closed

Born: June 4, 2002, in Lauf an der Pegnitz, Bavaria, Currently resides: Nuremberg, Love Life: In a loving relationship

Taliso Engel might be visually impaired, with just 4% vision in his right eye and less than 8% in his left, but he's got spirit! After a middle ear infection robbed him of hearing in his right ear, he could have given up. But no, he took on the world—and won! Engel is a force to be reckoned with in the swimming world. He's a medalist at European and World Championships, and he took home gold at the Tokyo and Paris Paralympics[1]. Plus, he's the current world record holder in the 100-meter breaststroke para-swimming event, with a whopping time of 1:01.84 minutes[2].

A Leap Off the Starting Block and onto the Dance Floor

So, why is Engel trading in his swim cap for dance shoes? Just like every other contestant, he's taking on "Let's Dance" as a challenge. But he's aware of the unique physical demands dancing presents, distinct from swimming. And he's raring to go! "I'm here to learn a new sport, hopefully improve my dancing skills, and have the time of my life," he said[3]. He's even had a taste of Joachim Llambi's notorious judge's critiques, getting compared to musical maestro Dieter Bohlen in RTL promotional videos. Llambi couldn't resist joking about it on Instagram, saying, "If only Dieter Bohlen was judging on 'Let's Dance'!"

Fun Facts:

Taliso Engel has been awarded the Silver Laurel Leaf, a prestigious honor presented by the German federal president for exceptional athletic accomplishments, twice.
Engel is simultaneously pursuing a distance learning degree in fitness training and management, showing he's not just a sportsman—he's a thinker, too.

Meet 14 Dancers taking on the "Let's Dance" stage in 2025:

Jeanette Biedermann (44), a musician
selfiesandra (25), a podcast legend and social media star
Marie Mouroum (32), a stuntwoman with nerves of steel
Leyla Lahouar (28), a reality TV sensation
Paola Maria (31), a digital content queen
Christine Neubauer (62), an actress with longevity
Simone Thomalla (59), another actress gracing the stage
Roland Trettl (53), a culinary master
Osan Yaran (38), a comedian with a knack for making people laugh
Diego Pooth (21), a golf pro with a swing for the ages
Taliso Engel (22), a para-swimmer turning dancer
Fabian Hambüchen (37), a former athlete
Marc Eggers (38), an entertainer with a massive personality
Ben Zucker (41), a musician with rhythm in his soul
Note from the editor: The stern is part of RTL Germany

Taliso Engel, the blind swimmer turned dance floor warrior, is preparing to return on RTL's "Let's Dance" in 2025, with the competition starting on February 21st.
As the newest contestant on "Let's Dance," Engel is not just a swimmer looking to learn a new sport but a dancer eager to improve his skills and have the time of his life.
In the "Meet 14 Dancers" lineup for "Let's Dance" in 2025, Taliso Engel, the paralympic gold medalist, stands as a dancer among other celebrities, including musicians, actors, and an actress with longevity.