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Natural-born contortionists

Professional contortionists Leilani Franco and Sosina Wogayehu talk about what drew them to this ancient art form and why it鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 Got Talent and Germany鈥檚 Got Talent, and she鈥檚 currently based in Hamburg, Germany.

Producer: Alice Gioia

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

Available now

27 minutes

Last on

Sat 4 Sep 2021 07:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Mon 30 Aug 2021 03:32GMT
  • Mon 30 Aug 2021 04:32GMT
  • Mon 30 Aug 2021 10:32GMT
  • Mon 30 Aug 2021 21:32GMT
  • Mon 30 Aug 2021 22:32GMT
  • Sat 4 Sep 2021 07:32GMT

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