This beautiful Russian champion dancer has died at the age of 17 after the coronavirus lockdown meant she was unable to travel for treatment to Germany.
Victoria Kurepina died in her home city of Tver in the western Russian region of Tver Oblast after being unable to travel to the German capital Berlin for further diagnosis and treatment of the condition, believed to be a genetic disease.
The dancer’s family had already raised the necessary money, but the COVID-19 lockdown prevented the wheelchair-bound teenager from travelling.
Victoria’s trainer and former dancesport world champion Arsen Agamalyan shared a video of the teenager dancing in a competition with the message: “Now she will be forever 17.”
“She was a child who grew up in front of my eyes and turned in to a beautiful and talented young woman.
“There are certain young dancers who become just as good their partner very quickly, if not better. Victoria was one of them.
“I send my condolences to her family and friends.”
Victoria Kurepina 
Victoria Kurepina
Agamalyan added that she was struck with the undiagnosed genetic condition right after she won the Russian Dance Union’s regional championship for Latin dance.
He said that most of her organs began to fail and that she lost mobility in her arms and legs near the end. She eventually died on 6th July.
Agamalyan said: “All she had to do was wait it out (the pandemic), but she couldn’t. I truly believe she is now dancing among the stars. No more pain, no more suffering.”
The teenage dance champion was buried on 8th July in her home city.
Viktoria Kurepina with mother 
Viktoria Kurepina with mother
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Story By: Gheorghi Caraseni, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency: Central European News
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