Joanna Leunis

Joanna Leunis, born 22 May 1981 in Rocourt, Liège, Belgium, is a professional Latin ballroom dancer. With Michael Malitowski, she is a former professional World Latin Dance Champion ^[1] and the current 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.^[2] 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 18, she won the World Amateur Latin Championship, with Slavik Kryklyvyy. Later, with Malitowski, she won the WDC World Professional Latin Championship in 2008 and 2009. They were the 2012 Open British Champions.

Her record in partnership with Malitowski includes wins in all the most important Latin dance championships.^[3] As competitive dancers, they specialise entirely in the Latin dance events.

She has taught at various dance institutions including Stepping Out Studios in New York.

After winning the professionals Latin at Blackpool Dance Festival 2015 for the 8th time, Michael and Joanna announced their retirement.

References