EU Today interviews Alibek Seiketov, a BBA student at European University Munich campus, on his passionate pursuit of ballroom dancing. He displays the typically tenacious and ambitious attitude towards learning that EU expects from its students.

EU Today: When and why did you begin dancing?
Alibek Seiketov: I started dancing when I was eight years old. My father told me at the time: “when you grow up, all of the girls will be yours, because you can dance”. So, that’s why I decided to start dancing!

EU Today:What kind of training schedule did you put in?
Alibek Seiketov: I trained every day (even after school) for five hours a day, seven days a week. During competitions it is not unusual to dance entire days, from 9.00–21.00.
EU Today: Can you tell us more about getting started?
Alibek Seiketov: For the first six years I had only trained in Almaty, Kazakhstan. I was an Asian Champion 1999 in the junior category but it was not enough for me and that’s why I moved to Moscow for a year.

EU Today:When did you get your first ‘break’?
Alibek Seiketov: A trainer from Germany saw me dance in the Asian championship and invited me to Germany, to Berlin. He told me he had the ideal partner for me. Of course I said yes and became German Champion after four months in Germany.

EU Today:How did you career progress?
Alibek Seiketov: My results were pretty good. I competed in the German Open Championship, a kind of a World Championship because  couples from all around the world come to dance in the competition. From about 400 couples we got sixth place. So I was really happy.

EU Today:Have you now given up professional dancing for good?
Alibek Seiketov: I stopped dancing because I had to decide, what is more important for me: my sport or my education. As you can see, I have  chosen education!