Paralympian Ezra Frech is taking on Dancing With the Stars Season 35 with a prosthetic leg that was never designed for ballroom dancing. The 21-year-old athlete has explained why he deliberately chose his running blade for the competition, even though it creates some unusual challenges during his routines.
Frech is paired with professional dancer Daniella Karagach, and together they have had to adapt their choreography around the equipment. Rather than using his everyday walking prosthesis, Frech decided to dance with the running blade he normally relies on for track and field.
At first, the decision might seem surprising because stability is extremely important in ballroom dancing. Frech explained that his running blade is taller than his actual leg, meaning his hips can be positioned differently while he dances. He described himself as being less stable on the prosthetic during certain movements.
There is, however, a specific reason Frech uses the taller blade. The prosthesis is designed for running, and it compresses slightly when he reaches top speed. That allows his hips to become level while he competes in track events, which is important for his athletic performance.
Dancing presents a completely different challenge. Because the blade was created for running rather than ballroom, Frech has to create certain movements from a different position. He explained that the equipment can affect his base of stability and the way he produces hip action during routines.
Karagach has also explained why the running blade can actually be more useful for dancing than Frech’s walking leg in certain situations. The running prosthesis has a rebound that responds when Frech applies pressure, while his walking leg does not react to the floor in the same way.
That difference has forced the pair to treat each new dance as a puzzle. Frech explained that there are movements he can perform naturally and others that require adjustments, while Karagach works to build choreography around his abilities and equipment.
The challenge was particularly noticeable in their cha-cha during Week 2. The dance requires quick footwork and hip movement, making stability and the response of Frech’s prosthetic especially important. Despite those challenges, the pair earned 21 out of 30 points, placing them among the higher-scoring couples that night.
Frech’s decision is also connected to his experience as an elite athlete. He won gold medals in the men’s 100-meter and high jump events at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, meaning the running blade is an important part of the equipment he uses in his athletic career.
As Frech and Karagach continue through Season 35, they will keep adapting their routines around the unique demands of his prosthetic. What initially appears to be an unusual equipment choice is actually connected to Frech’s athletic needs, while its rebound properties can also provide advantages for certain dance movements. His experience demonstrates how the pair is finding creative ways to bring his athletic abilities and ballroom choreography together on the DWTS stage.
Compiled with information from various sources.
