"Let's Dance" 2025: Taliso Engel, Blind Swimming Ace, Shakes Up the Dance Floor
- ~ 2 Min Read
Dancefloor Conqueror Despite Eight Percent Vision: Taliso Engel's Visual Victories - Blind dancer Taliso Engel demonstrates remarkable skill on the dance floor despite having only 8% vision.
Gearing up for a riveting season, RTL's "Let's Dance" debuts on February 21, 2025, every Friday showcasing popular figures dancing with professional whizzes. Returning powerhouses Motsi Mabuse, Joachim Llambi, and Jorge González will be seated as judges, ready to critique the dance moves. Today, we scrutinize Taliso Engel, preparing to dominate the dance floor.
The Bionic Aquatic Warrior
Born with a visual disability in Lauf an der Pegnitz, Bavaria on June 4, 2002, Taliso Engel boasts a modest 4% vision in his right eye and 8% in his left. He perceives colors and rough outlines, but no fine details, as he explained in an interview with "RBB Inforadio." After suffering a middle ear infection that claimed the hearing in his right ear, Engel has risen to become one of Germany's most accomplished Para-swimmers. He's garnered medals in European and World Championships and gold at the Tokyo and Paris Paralympics. As the current world record holder in the 100m breaststroke Para-swimming event (1:01.84 minutes), the 22-year-old is an undeniable force to be reckoned with.
Embracing the Dance Challenge
Like the rest of the competitors, Engel embarks on "Let's Dance" as an invigorating challenge. Yet, he acknowledges the physical strains, distinct from what he's accustomed to in swimming. "I anticipate 'Let's Dance' to help me learn a new sport, ideally improve my dance skills beyond my current capabilities, and above all, to have a memorable, enjoyable experience," Engel shared before the debut. He's crossed swords with Joachim Llambi already, who reminds him of Dieter Bohlen, as Taliso admitted in an RTL video. Llambi retaliated humorously, stating on Instagram, "If only Dieter Bohlen were judging on 'Let's Dance.'"
A Few Fun Facts
- Taliso Engel has been honored twice with the Silver Laurel Leaf, an award bestowed by the German federal president for exceptional athletic achievements.
- His world record in the 100m breaststroke Para-swimming event remains uncontested.
- Engel concurrently pursues a career in fitness training and management through distance learning, in addition to his athletic career.
Meet the 14 Contenders of "Let's Dance" 2025
- Jeanette Biedermann (44), musician
- selfiesandra (25), podcaster & influencer
- Marie Mouroum (32), stuntwoman
- Leyla Lahouar (28), reality TV star
- Paola Maria (31), content creator
- Christine Neubauer (62), actress
- Simone Thomalla (59), actress
- Roland Trettl (53), TV chef
- Osan Yaran (38), comedian
- Diego Pooth (21), golf pro
- Taliso Engel (22), Para-swimmer
- Fabian Hambüchen (37), former professional athlete
- Marc Eggers (38), entertainer
- Ben Zucker (41), singer
- Note from the editor: The stern is part of RTL Germany
(1) Taliso Engel's Official Website(2) Taliso Engel's Wikipedia(3) Taliso Engel's Instagram(4) Taliso Engel's Twitter(5) Paris 2024 Paralympics Results
- Taliso Engel, renowned for his exceptional abilities in Para-swimming, hopeful dancer in RTL's "Let's Dance," is aiming to learn a new sport, develop his dance skills, and have an enjoyable experience on the dance floor.
- In the arena of entertainment, dancers from diverse backgrounds, including Paralympics champ Taliso Engel, are set to compete as talents in the "Let's Dance" competition, airing on RTL every Friday.
- Germany's Para-swimming ace, Taliso Engel, born in Bavaria, with eyes on sports and a silver laurel leaf, is displaying his versatility by embracing the challenge of RTL's "Let's Dance," hopefully proving his prowess in more than just the swimming pool.
