"Don’t be afraid of making mistakes - learn to accept them"

Very soon, the best phygital athletes will gather in Astana for the biggest phygital event of the year, the Games of the Future 2026. Umutcan Tutuncu will be one of them, dancing for another title aiming to be the champion of Phygital Dancing presented by Solidcore Resources.

His Phygital Dancing journey began when his aunt gifted him his first Just Dance game. Fast forward 12 years, and Umutcan Tutuncu is no longer a passionate enthusiast. He is a three-time Just Dance World Champion, and in just a few days, he will take the stage at the Games of the Future 2026 to fight for the Phygital Dancing title in Astana.

Could you tell us a bit about yourself and how your journey in dance began?

I started dancing when I was 14 after my aunt gave me the first Just Dance game as a gift. At first, I played and danced by myself during the summer. When school started, my friends and I kept playing it together during breaks, I slowly fell in love with dancing and that’s how my dance journey began. Over time, I became a world champion, participated in many events, kept improving myself, and eventually became a professional dance teacher.

What inspired you to become a dancer and dedicate your life to it?

As a child, I was extremely introverted and loved playing video games. Even during PE classes, I would make excuses to the teacher so I could go back to the classroom and secretly play on my handheld console. After years of sitting all day and gaining weight, I had to undergo surgery at the beginning of age 14 because of a tumor in my leg. I couldn’t walk for a while. During that time, I realized how much I took being able to move for granted, so I made a promise to myself: once I recovered, I would start a sport. It wasn’t exactly a sport, but dance became that turning point. It completely changed my life and gave me so much physically and mentally.

You are a three-time Just Dance World Champion. What does this achievement mean to you personally?

Becoming a three-time Just Dance World Champion means so much to me. I had the opportunity to represent my country in both a game and an art form that I truly love, and I was able to do it at the highest level. I’m incredibly proud of that achievement. I’m also very happy if my journey can inspire other people and encourage them to follow their own dreams.

Which of your three world titles (2017, 2018, 2019) was the most memorable and why?

The first title is definitely the most unforgettable one. I was only 17 years old, and everything felt completely new to me. It was also my first time traveling abroad. I made amazing friends and had so many funny moments because it was the first time I actually had to use English in another country. During the award ceremony, when they announced me as the champion, they brought a huge Turkish flag onto the stage. That moment touched me deeply, and I couldn’t hold back my tears. I’ll never forget it.

How did your life change after winning the World Championship?

My life completely changed. My dreams, my plans, and my future all became centered around dance. A video game ended up changing my entire life. Because of it, I slowly became known, found my profession, and started performing at different events. Honestly, I owe the life I’m living today to those World Championship victories.

You teach Hip-hop, K-pop, and Jazz Funk. Which style do you enjoy the most and why?

I genuinely love every dance style. That’s actually one of the reasons why I teach Open Style classes, I love mixing different styles together and creating unique choreographies. Both K-pop and Just Dance have always introduced me to many different genres. But if I absolutely had to choose only one, it would probably be Hip-hop.

You have over 200,000 followers across social media. How do you build such a strong connection with your audience?

I stay connected with my audience by constantly creating content and sharing my life with them. The more they see me and the more I interact with them, the closer we become. I’d also like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my journey. It truly means a lot to me.

How do you see the future of Phygital Dancing in Turkey and around the world?

I would love to see Phygital Dancing become much more popular in Turkey. There are so many talented people here, and I hope they get the chance to show their skills to the world. Globally, I have no doubt that this discipline will continue growing and become more popular every single year.

What keeps you motivated to keep dancing and growing?

Dancing is great for both my body and my mental health. Whenever I’m feeling down, being around other dancers has always given me positive energy. That’s actually one of the reasons I decided to participate in this competition. I really missed being part of the Just Dance community because they genuinely made me happy. I also missed my friends, so I’m excited to see them again during the Games of the Future. Dance becomes even more beautiful when it’s shared with others.

What advice would you give to young dancers just starting their journey?

Don’t be afraid of making mistakes, in fact, learn to accept them. Dance requires determination and perseverance. If you give up at the beginning, you’ll never see how far you could have gone. The truth is, there’s no final destination because we’re always improving. One day you’ll look back and be amazed by how much you’ve grown. But most importantly, whether it’s dance or anything else in life, have fun. If you’re not enjoying it, don’t force yourself. When you’re truly having fun, everything else naturally follows.

Is there a song that always makes you dance, even when you're tired?

I’d probably say “Like Jennie” by Jennie and “Gnarly” by KATSEYE. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever heard either of those songs without dancing. They could probably get me out of bed just to dance!

Was there ever a moment when you wanted to give up? How did you get through it?

Many times. Just like everyone else, I’ve had difficult periods in my life. There were even moments when I actually gave up and stopped dancing for a while. Sometimes you really need to give yourself that space and take a break. What’s important is believing that you’ll come back stronger. Taking a break doesn’t mean you’ve failed. You don’t have to push your body and mind all the time. First, you need to take care of yourself and be kind to yourself.

What does the phrase "Dance is a language that doesn't need translation" mean to you?

I think that quote is absolutely true. No matter where you’re from, what language you speak, your religion, or your background, dance brings people together. I realized recently that every country I’ve ever visited has at least one friend I could meet, and that’s all thanks to dance. It has given me so much, not just as a dancer, but as a person. I’m incredibly grateful that dance and the dance community became part of my life.

What do you know about the Games of the Future, and why did you decide to participate?

I believe the Games of the Future has the potential to become one of the biggest sporting and entertainment events of the future. That’s exactly why I wanted to be part of such a professional and innovative competition.

Do you dream of opening your own dance school one day?

I would absolutely love to open my own dance school one day. I hope I get that opportunity in the future. However, that’s a long-term dream. Right now, my biggest goal is to perform on the biggest stages possible. Later on, I’d love to pass everything I’ve learned on to the next generation.

What message would you like to share with your fans and followers ahead of GOTF 2026?

hope this event becomes an amazing experience for all of us. If anyone is coming to watch I’d love to meet you in person. I also want to wish the best of luck to all the competitors. To everyone who follows me, I’ll be sharing plenty of content throughout the event on my social media, so stay tuned. See you there!