Apolo Anton Ohno wins ‘Dancing with the Stars’
By Damara Popoola

HOLLYWOOD,CA (Hollywood Today) 5/23/07 – A boxer and a boy-band vet were no match for speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno who, alongside partner Julianne Hough, danced away with the disco ball trophy on “Dancing with Stars” Tuesday.

“I feel amazing,” an enthused Ohno said. “You put your mind to something, you give 100 percent, sacrifice and dedication, anything is possible.”

An Olympic athlete’s work ethic and youthful exuberance characterized the dancing of gold-medalist Ohno and his partner throughout this season’s run, but the pair still had to conquer some severe competition to win the hit ABC show. By the end of the two night finale they lead by a minute two point margin, but it was fan votes that really ensured their success.

Former ‘NSync member Joey Fatone and partner Kym Johnson secured second, and accepted the runner-up position gracefully. “Congratulations to them. Well deserved,” Fatone said to Ono and Hough, adding, “I feel like a winner.”

World female boxing champion Laila Ali, daughter of Muhammad Ali, fought fiercely with partner Maksim Chmerkovsky for the top spot, but instead bowed out at third.

Prior to winning, Ohno told USA Today, “It’s been so much fun. . . This has helped me climb out of my shell. For so long, people have only seen a small part of me. This has been a wonderful opportunity for me to show the world who I am and to share it with family and friends and the fans and Olympians who were watching.”