The dancing middle blocker who’s changing the face of men’s volleyball

BERLIN – Leading Colombia to an eighth-place finish in men’s volleyball at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games, middle blocker Juan Esteban Valencia Vasco (COL) hopes to break macho stereotypes of what a sportsperson should be like – through dancing.

The 25-year-old from Medellin (pictured above) uses the social media app TikTok to post videos of himself dancing – with friends, teammates or solo – displaying a side of him rarely seen in elite male athletes.

”We don’t have to be placed in a box or stuck doing only one thing all the time. It’s good to do other things to distract yourself, reduce stress and nerves and not burn out,” Valencia Vasco told the FISU Games News Service (FGNS).

”There are people who are very closed-minded and think, ‘no, this (elite sports) is for this kind of person’. But they need to understand that everyone is different. Things change, things evolve. There’s a lot of diversity in every area now.

”Things in this world aren’t made for just one gender. Whether you’re a man or woman, whether you like men or women – anyone can do anything.”

Valencia Vasco said he had gained many TikTok followers during the FISU Games but “mostly for the dancing”, rather than from his efforts on the volleyball court.

With its wide range of participants, he hopes that Rhine-Ruhr 2025 can make young people from different backgrounds feel there is a place for them in the world of sports.

Breaking barriers

”It breaks barriers. It helps others face their fears and realise they can also try, they can also do it,” said Valencia Vasco, who has never felt threatened by the macho culture often associated with men’s team sports.

”It’s irrelevant to me. I am who I am. Obviously, without disrespecting others – and expecting the same respect back.

”We’re just playing a sport. I don’t interfere with others, and they don’t interfere with me.”

Winning two of three preliminary round matches to claim second place in Pool C behind Poland, the South Americans have charmed the Berlin spectators with their positive attitude and dance moves.

“That’s part of our culture. We’ve always been people who smile, who greet others, and who are warm and social. That really represents us,” he said.

The humanities student dreams of one day playing volleyball professionally. “I want to challenge myself, to see if I can handle it and make it.”

His favourite moment of the Games was touching down on German ground.

”Arriving at the airport, being in another continent, being welcomed, seeing professional players I used to only see on TV and admire,” Valencia Vasco said.

”Then, the first match (3-0 against Argentina) was very emotional. Just knowing we were representing Colombia at a world tournament – that felt amazing.”

Volleyball continues in Berlin on Thursday with the men’s bronze and gold medal matches. Tickets here.

FGNS pl/cc/mb

Photo: © Daniel Domazer / Rhine-Ruhr 2025