You might not think a discus thrower has much in common with a dancer. But Valarie Allman—recent World Champion gold medalist in Tokyo—is rewriting the rules. In a sport dominated by raw power, she credits two unexpected influences: ballet and hip-hop.
Yes, you read that right.
#### The Grace of Ballet
Ballet isn’t just for the stage. For Allman, it’s about precision, posture, and control—the same qualities that define a perfect discus throw. The fluidity of a plié, the stability of a relevé—these aren’t just dance moves. They’re foundational to the explosive yet controlled rotation required in the throwing circle. Ballet taught her to move with intention, to align her body in a way that maximizes force without sacrificing form.
#### The Rhythm of Hip-Hop
Then there’s hip-hop. If ballet brings grace, hip-hop brings rhythm and swagger. The beats, the energy, the confidence—it’s all part of Allman’s mental game. Hip-hop isn’t just background music; it’s a tool for focus and flow. It helps her sync her movements to an internal tempo, turning the discus throw into a kind of performance. And let’s be real: if you can own a dance floor, you can own the throwing circle.
#### Why This Matters
We often compartmentalize—athletes here, artists there. But Valarie Allman’s story is a powerful reminder that creativity and athleticism aren’t opposites; they’re partners. The discipline of ballet and the freestyle energy of hip-hop didn’t distract her—they made her unstoppable.
So next time you’re trying to level up, don’t be afraid to mix things up. Take a dance class. Listen to a new genre. You never know where your next breakthrough will come from.
Because sometimes, to throw far, you’ve got to dance first.
