99-Year-Old WWII Veteran Travels To Argentina To Take Part In World Tango Championships

Sep 04, 2019

A 99-year-old man from Ireland has figured out a way to stay healthy and vibrant and it happens to involve tango dancing.

James McManus recently competed in the World Tango Championships in Buenos Aires. Although he represented the country of Ireland in the competition, McManus was actually born in Scotland. Ireland’s national public service broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éirean reports that doing the tango brings him great happiness. It is no wonder that McManus gets so much joy out of the fun dance. As one of the world's most popular dances, the tango boasts a host of international influences.

While the tango had been previously regarded as a dance common to the lower classes of the world's population, it has grown in popularity in the last few decades. At this year's tango competition, more than 744 couples from 36 countries showed off their stuff on the dance floor. Chile, Italy, Hungary, Ireland, and Colombia were just a few of the nations that were featured at this international competition. The competition is a highlight of Argentina’s International Tango Festival, considered to be the biggest tango event on the planet. McManus competed in both the floor and stage categories.

As McManus' dance partner, Lucia Seva is a great supporter, "I didn't even have to convince him," she said in the Buenos Aires Times. "I told him: 'Should we do it?' and he said, 'Sure.'" It is clear that his enthusiasm is contagious!

Now you can check out McManus and all of his tango moves. After you watch this adorable video, be sure to spread the infectious dancing to everyone else that you know.