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The Conversation

Factual: Life Stories

Two women from different parts of the world share the stories of their lives

Two women from different parts of the world, united by a common passion, experience or expertise, share the stories of their lives.

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The Conversation: Natural-born contortionists

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Natural born contortionists

30/08/2021 GMT

Natural-born contortionists

BBC World Service - The Conversation, Natural-born contortionists

Two contortionists discuss their body-twisting, back-bending, mind-blowing work.

Professional contortionists Leilani Franco and Sosina Wogayehu talk about what drew them to this ancient art form and why it’s about much more than being flexible.

Kim Chakanetsa explores the rich and long history of body-bending work and hears about the complex skills that you need to succeed.

Sosina Wogayehu is a contortionist and juggler from Ethiopia. She started performing at the age of six in the streets of Addis Ababa. After a long career travelling around the world, she has moved back to Ethiopia where she’s now training new performers and planning on opening the first circus venue in the country. 

Leilani Franco is a British-Filipina professional contortionist. She holds three Guinness World Records: the fastest backbend walk, the fastest contortion roll and the most full-body revolutions in a chest-stand position. She made it to the semi-finals of both Britain’s Got Talent and Germany’s Got Talent, and she’s currently based in Hamburg, Germany.

Producer: Alice Gioia 

(Image: Sosina Wogayehu (L) Credit: Ponch Hawkes; Leilani Franco (R) Credit: David Waldman/Barcroft Media)

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