Taliso Engel has embarked on an exciting new challenge, trading his swimming trunks for dance shoes as he participates in the renowned RTL show "Let's Dance". The 22-year-old Para swimmer from Lauf an der Pegnitz is known not only for his remarkable achievements in swimming but also for his determination to inspire others, especially within the world of para-sports.
Making his debut in the 2025 season of "Let's Dance", Taliso expressed his enthusiasm about this new venture. "I’m really excited about the new challenge with 'Let's Dance'. On one hand, I have respect for the different physical demands compared to swimming. On the other hand, I look forward to stepping out of my comfort zone. My expectations for 'Let's Dance' are to learn a new sport, hopefully dance muchbetter than I do now, and just have an unforgettable time," he remarked to RTL.
Taliso isn’t the first celebrity with visual impairment to participate. The singer Joana Zimmer attempted the same back in 2012, reaching the quarterfinals. His performance on February 21, 2025, at the premiere episode garnered him significant praise, allowing him to secure the coveted direct ticket for the next round based on audience votes.
For his fans, Taliso offers insights from his training and daily life through social media platforms where he shares his sporting experiences and personal moments. With around 14,000 followers on Instagram, he is anticipated to gain even more visibility due to his participation on the show.
Beside him for support during competitions is his girlfriend Kim Mößner, whom he met during their school years. He acknowledges her as "a super support at my side, trying to help me as much as possible." Kim herself is athletic, having trained for triathlons, as showcased on her Instagram profile.
Taliso's early beginnings reflect his mother Cosima’s determination to guide him toward the water, enrolling him for swimming lessons to help him become safe and confident. His swimming career blossomed, starting with appearances at national competitions during his childhood and culminating with impressive accolades including gold medals at the Tokyo 2021 Paralympics and breaking the world record at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
Despite his success, Taliso has faced personal hardships. Born with severe visual impairment, he has only 6-8% vision on his stronger eye. This condition was diagnosed when he was just two and a half years old, and there are no prospects for correction. Adding to this challenge, Taliso lost hearing in his right ear during 2023 due to severe ear infections. Adjusting to his hearing loss has been tough, but as he explained to "web.de", it does not hinder him significantly when competing, as aquatic surroundings are naturally quiet.
Speaking about his visual impairment, he narrated on the show, "It can be imagined as seeing only at the extreme edge of my eye. I can recognize colors but often have to guess the positions of objects." Nevertheless, he brings tremendous energy to the dance floor, showcasing his talent and determination.
His dance partner, professional dancer Patricija Ionel, places significant importance on body contact to assist Taliso during their performances. "I give him lots of feeling. Because of the nature of his vision, I don't let him go alone and always stay close," she revealed. Taliso has expressed his readiness to explore different dance styles, albeit with some trepidation about the challenges he may face with Latin dances compared to the Quickstep.
Together, Taliso and Patricija aim to captivate audiences with their performances, showcasing not only his unique dance skills but also the spirit of inclusivity and determination. Taliso hopes to leverage this platform to raise awareness about para-sports, emphasizing the great potential and aspirations of athletes with disabilities.
The climate around Taliso’s participation is buzzing with excitement and support, which speaks volumes about the progress being made to increase visibility for Para athletes. The audience’s reaction has been incredibly positive, reinforcing his belief: "I want to promote the para-sport and swimming more widely, as they're wonderful sports everyone should learn to appreciate," he stated earnestly.
Taliso Engel remains optimistic, using this opportunity not only to entertain but also to advocate for greater recognition of para-athletes and their achievements. With every performance, he showcases more than just dance; he exhibits resilience, passion, and the message of breaking barriers.
Fans, old and new, are invited to tune in and cheer for Taliso as he embraces his distinctive role on "Let's Dance" every Friday at 20:15 on RTL, as he dances his way to inspire others.