Royal Ballet features wheelchair dancer for first time at Paralympic event
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Wales
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Sport
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ParalympicsGB
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Thursday 16 September 2021, 9:53am
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Watch the studio interview with Joe Powell-Main
A Welsh wheelchair dancer who performed with the Royal Ballet at the ParalympicsGB Homecoming event said he hoped the experience would “open people’s eyes”.
Joe Powell-Main, 23, from Newtown in mid Wales, became the first wheelchair user to perform with the prestigious ballet company, in a bespoke piece accompanied by the singer Birdy.
The dancer trained at the Royal Ballet school for four years from the age of 11, until he suffered an injury that left him with impaired mobility, using crutches and a wheelchair.
Powell-Main said he thought his future in ballet was over until he discovered Wheelchair Dance Association classes. Credit: PA
Powell-Main said it was the "best experience [...]