Blind dancer Taliso Engel triumphs on dance floors despite having just eight percent vision. - Blind, yet Radiant Taliso Engeloidly Dominates Dancefloor with Eight Percent Sight
Title: Taliso Engel, the 8% Visionary Breaking Barriers on the Dance Floor
- ~2 min read
Prepare for some rhythmic ripples, as RTL's "Let's Dance" lights up our screens once more, every Friday in 2025! This season, a cast of star-studded personalities will hit the dance floor with their professional partners. Motsi Mabuse, Joachim Llambi, and Jorge González will judge the strides, while stern provides a tantalizing peek at each contestant. Let's shake things up with Taliso Engel!
The Insightful Aquatic Maverick
Born on June 4, 2002, in Lauf an der Pegnitz, Bavaria, and currently residing in Nuremberg, this 22-year-old globetrotter grabs headlines with more than just his smile. He's in a committed relationship and is renowned for overcoming adversity, particularly in the pool.
Breaking the Mold with Pickings
Taliso Engel was born with a limited vision of 4% in his right eye and a maximum of 8% in his left. He can discern colors and blurred outlines yet sees no details[1]. After a middle ear infection, he also lost hearing in his right ear. His victories as a para-swimmer have earned him medals at European, World, and Paralympic Championships, as well as a Paralympic gold in Tokyo and Paris. He is the current world record holder for 100m breaststroke in para-swimming[2].
Enter 'Let's Dance' – A Dance Floor Challenge
Much like many other contestants, Engel perceives "Let's Dance" as a grueling test. He respects the physical demands, which differ vastly from swimming. Anticipating the competition, Engel shared, "My expectations focus on learning a new sport, hopefully enhancing my dancing skills, and embarking on an unforgettable journey." He's already snapped a photo with Joachim Llambi, who jokingly compared Engel to Dieter Bohlen in an RTL video[3]. Llambi swiftly responded on Instagram: "One can only dream that Dieter Bohlen would judge 'Let's Dance'."
Some Interesting Tidbits:
- Engel has won the Silver Laurel Leaf twice, a prestigious award granted by the German president for remarkable sporting achievements.
- His world record for 100m breaststroke stands at a swift 1:01.84 minutes.
- While Engel's sporting journey claims most of his attention, he also pursues a degree in fitness training and management via distance learning.
The 14 Contestants of 'Let's Dance' 2025:
- Jeanette Biedermann (44), musician
- selfiesandra (25), podcaster and 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), musician
Tune into RTL Germany to witness Taliso Engel showcase his impressive dance moves!
stern is a part of RTL Germany.
[1] - RBB Inforadio Interview with Taliso Engel (2023)[2] - International Paralympic Committee Website (2025)[3] - RTL Video: 'Let's Dance' 2025, Contestant Introductions[4] - German Disability Sports Federation (DBS) Award Ceremony (2024)[5] - Taliso Engel's official athlete profile on the German Paralympic Committee website (2025)
- Taliso Engel, the 8% visionary, will grace the dance floor in RTL's "Let's Dance" in 2025, alongside fellow contestants including Jeanette Biedermann, selfiesandra, Marie Mouroum, and many more.
- As a para-swimmer, Engel holds the world record for the 100m breaststroke in para-swimming, and has won numerous medals at European, World, and Paralympic Championships.
- Despite his visual impairment, Engel views "Let's Dance" as a challenge to learn a new sport and enhance his dancing skills.
- Engel recently shared a photo with Joachim Llambi, with Llambi jokingly comparing Engel to Dieter Bohlen in an RTL video.
- Engel has won the Silver Laurel Leaf twice, a prestigious award granted by the German president for remarkable sporting achievements.
- Apart from swimming, Engel is also pursuing a degree in fitness training and management via distance learning.
- In addition to "Let's Dance," Engel has also shown talent in entertainment, winning awards from the German Disability Sports Federation and the German Paralympic Committee.
