Zack The Great Wins National Dance Competition
Zack The Great was crowned the 2026 Red Bull Dance Your Style Kenya champion following the national finals held at the Tsavo Ballroom within the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi on May 24th.
The competition involved 16 street dancers from across Kenya competing in head-to-head freestyle battles to determine the national titleholder. Zack The Great won after defeating King of Smiles in the final round.
This victory qualifies Zack The Great to compete in the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Finals, scheduled for October 24th in Zurich, Switzerland. Kenya will be one of 51 countries represented at the event.
“Being crowned the Red Bull Dance Your Style 2026 champion is something truly special,” Zack The Great stated. “I am grateful for the support, the love from the community and the opportunity to represent something bigger than myself.”
“Kenya is full of energy, culture and incredibly talented dancers, so being recognised among such amazing talent means a lot to me. Sharing the stage with so many gifted dancers was already an honour on its own. It honestly feels like an answered prayer and a huge blessing.”
Zack The Great anticipates adapting to the international competition environment will be a key challenge. He said, “I think the biggest challenge will be adapting to a completely new environment and atmosphere. It will be my first time competing on such a major international stage, and the energy will definitely be different from what I’m used to.”
“Since I’ve never been to Zurich before, understanding the crowd, the vibe, and the overall experience will take some adjustment. But I also see that challenge as an opportunity to grow, evolve and push myself even further as a dancer.”
Organisers reported Zack The Great began dancing over ten years ago and transitioned to professional dance approximately four years ago. His style incorporates street dance, hip hop, and popping, drawing influence from dance ciphers and community-based learning.
The national finals included appearances from international dancers such as MT Pop, the 2024 Red Bull Dance Your Style world champion; Luwam, a 2024 world finals finalist; Luciano, the 2025 Netherlands champion; and Verb, a two-time South African national champion and world finalist. These dancers also led workshops with Nairobi’s dance community. Red Bull Symphonic 2026 Auditions Open to South African Choirs.
This year’s competition was the sixth Kenyan edition of the global event. Qualifying rounds took place earlier in the year in Nairobi and Mombasa, leading to the national final.
Red Bull Dance Your Style distinguishes itself from other dance competitions by using audience votes, cast via coloured LED wristbands, to determine the winner after each battle. The competition accepts a variety of urban dance styles, excluding breakdancing, and requires participants to improvise to music chosen by the event DJ. Great Shows Depend on People Fans Never See.
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