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This year marks Zach Klingenberg’s seventh time competing in the World Irish Dancing Championships.

The 16-year-old dances with the Richens/Timm Academy of Irish Dance in Columbus, Ohio.

IrishCentral.com caught up with Zach after he finished up his routine for the Boys 16-17 Heavy and Light solo competition on Wednesday.

When asked why he keeps coming back to participate in the Worlds, the spirited dancer answered easily: “I love it – you can’t not like this atmosphere.”

Though Zach placed eighth in the Worlds when he was around 13, the talented dancer has stayed modest. It’s not just the medals that keep him coming back, but the craic. “Getting to compete here is lots of fun,” he said.

Participating in the past seven Worlds means Zach has visited Scotland and Northern Ireland but his favorite location is Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland.

“It’s beautiful there,” Zach said.

But no matter where the Worlds take place, the teenage Irish dancer is just glad to be able to meet such a diverse group of dancers.

“You get to make a lot of friends from all over the place that you wouldn’t meet otherwise,” he said.

Zach is one of 10 dancers from the Richens/Timm Academy competing in this year’s Worlds in Philadelphia. The school also has a branch in Indianapolis.