Robert Irwin gets emotionally candid about landmark ‘Dancing with the Stars’ victory

Robert Irwin is addressing his major victory on the latest season of Dancing with the Stars — 10 years after his elder sister, Bindi Irwin, won the competition.

Reflecting on their joint wins, Robert told PEOPLE, “To follow in those footsteps and to do the same has meant everything to me. This has absolutely changed my life.”

For the new winner, the magazine further reported, his moment as a champion is “particularly special” since “it was also an opportunity to spread the message about the Irwin family’s conservation work, Australia Zoo and Wildlife Warriors, their charity.”

Robert and Bindi are the children of famous conservationists, the late Steve Irwin and his wife, Terri Irwin.

“It’s about making the world a better place. And when I watched her lift that Mirrorball, I saw her lifting that message,” he said about Bindi’s victory in 2015.

While acknowledging his dance partner, Witney Carson, Robert said, “I’m just so grateful that I was here on this journey with Witney. You’ve got me forever.”

“Witney pours her heart and soul into this, and I’m just so happy that we are here,” he added about the pro he shares his trophy with — who feels much the same.

“I feel like I’ve been so proud of you week to week, and just to see you shine has been one of my biggest highlights in my life, and I just am so, so proud of you,” Witney shared in response to her partner’s words.

Previously, Robert was discovered to be suffering from pain in his ribs leading up to the show’s finale.

“My body is feeling it. Robert’s body is feeling it. We’re, like, kind of falling apart right now. Just trying to keep it together for, like, two more days. Literally today and tomorrow, and then it’s over,” Witney had revealed in a TikTok clip shared on Monday, November 24.

Robert Irwin and Witney Carson clearly toughened it out to win Dancing with the Stars season 34 on November 25.