Karina Smirnoff Crowned DWTS Champ at Last
Professional ballroom dancer Karina Smirnoff has finally been crowned champion on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars."
The competition wrapped up this week naming the professional dancer and her partner J.R. Martinez season 13's winners.
During her 10-season career on "DWTS," Smirnoff has held a runner-up title, a semi-final title, and several quarter-final titles. It was not until the 13th season of the show that the Ukrainian dancer was crowned champion.
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Upon receiving the championship trophy, Martinez said of his dance partner: "I'm just so grateful that I was able to be part of the journey to help get her first mirror ball trophy."
The actor on "All My Children" and Iraq war veteran added, "She deserves it."
In addition to Smirnoff's "DWTS" accomplishments, the 33-year-old is a five-time U.S. National Champion, World Trophy Champion, and Asian Open Champion.
Martinez commented on not only her incredible dancing skills, but of her kindness.
"It's no secret, she's an amazing dancer, and she's obviously beautiful," said Martinez backstage of "DWTS." "But I'm here to say she is one hundred million times more beautiful on the inside. She's really an amazing person. I'm just so grateful that I was able to be a part of the journey."
Smirnoff's past partners on past "DWTS" seasons have included Billy Ray Cyrus, boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., Mario Lopez, and Apple Cofounder Steve Wozniak.
When asked if she would return to "DWTS" in for another season, Smirnoff said she would "love" to.
"If they'll have me, I'd love to be back," she said. "It's three months of hard work and emotions, but at the end of the day, you create something that you'll always to back to and remember and cherish forever."
In second place on this season of "DWTS" was reality television star Rob Kardashian and his partner Cheryl Burke. Former talk show host Ricki Lake and Derek Hough finished in third.
