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Sam Champion is proud of his journey and glad for the support he received during DWTS season 31, but he admits that it was not without its challenges.
Sam Champion ended his time on Dancing with the Stars exhausted and in pain but elated and grateful. The Good Morning America and WABC-TV weatherman was eliminated during Disney+ Week, dancing a Paso Doble to “The Greatest Show” from The Greatest Showman with partner and veteran DWTS competitor Cheryl Burke. Sam had previously been saved from elimination by the judges’ panel but could not avoid the chopping block in a tighter week of competition.
Appearing in a live interview on Good Morning America, Sam and Cheryl spoke about the journey from dancing novice to live competitor. “Everything hurts,” Sam said. “There is literally not a part that doesn’t hurt.” Explaining that his initial view of the physical toll on dancers came from watching DWTS at home, Sam stated that “when you go through it, even for a few weeks, you realize what they put their bodies through.” The GMA team, calling the local weatherman “our Sam,” pointed to previous DWTS competitors, with Michael Strahan saying that other NFL pros had called DWTS “the hardest thing they had ever done.” The anchors also cheekily referred to Sam’s physical exertion as “finding sequins, apparently, in places you didn’t know you could.” Sam explained that not even a good night’s sleep could help, as the pain from the rigorous dance training would keep him up at night. The idea of using painkillers such as Advil was dismissed with nothing more than a wave of the hand.
Sam Champion Has Newfound Respect For DWTS Pro Dancers
Sam gave full credit for reaching DWTS Week 4 to Cheryl, stating that “people need to know how amazing this young woman is.” As for her part, Cheryl said that there was no trepidation in the relationship between the two dancers and that she “passed the honeymoon phased and went straight in” with Sam. “It’s like training for the Olympics,” Cheryl said of working a full DWTS season, especially in “the exercise and the physical ability we need to be able to get through a season.” Sam stated that he has no body awareness, to which Cheryl replied that “it’s better now,” and then credited Cheryl for helping to adjust his motion and make him situationally aware of what these pros do every time they get on the dance floor. “You’re using parts that have never been used,” Sam said. “It’s just not easy.”
Those who have been watching Sam over a nearly four-decade career in television would most likely be surprised by his solid showing on DWTS. With most of his appearances placed ramrod-straight against a chroma key weather map, the pleasant but stoic image of Sam does not immediately scream out dance competition winner. However, his gradual improvements and post-DWTS explanations of his vigorous training demonstrate that he was there to give his all. One must credit Cheryl for pushing him and making sure that they remained a great team.
It speaks also to the quality of the remaining competitors that Sam left this early. Each face a similar challenge on the dance floor and each will have to push through the pain to claim the Mirrorball Trophy. With competitors like Selma Blair facing their own physical challenges on top of the rigors of each week’s competition, one wonders how the quality of dances will be affected as DWTS draws towards the finale.
Dancing With The Stars streams Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT on Disney+.
Source: Good Morning America
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