TWO tiny dancers from Helensburgh and Cardross are on top of the world after lifting a global title.
Mia Punton, from Helensburgh, and Tio-Rayne Joseph, from Cardross, along with teammates Sara Smith and Lyla Forrester of Urbaniks Street Skool of Dance have taken the global champion title for the under 10s division at the 12th World Street Dance Championships.
The competition drew more than 10,000 dancers to Glasgow’s SECC, from as far away as Japan, Canada and South Africa.
Stablemates Erin and Rachael Donnelly, from Balloch, along with Isla Nicholson and Cara Beaton also became the new world champions at Under 18s.
Each competitor had to place 5th or higher in the regional championships across the UK to qualify for the world championships.
Urbaniks, which has around 150 young dancers from Helensburgh, Balloch and Dumbarton has competed at the world championships over the last five years – previously winning the under 16s quads title in 2015.
The dance school, Scotland’s first dedicated street dance school, was founded by Paul and Pauline Joseph from Cardross who have 20 years of dance training between them.
There was also success for Paul and Pauline’s daughter, Honey Joseph, who finished second for her duet with fellow dancer Nicola McFall.
Honey also choreographed the dance school’s routines for the championships.
Pauline told the Advertiser: “I’m delighted with the results. It was a really tough one this year because the competition just gets harder and harder every year. The standard at world level is incredible and they all put in such incredibly hard work.
“There’s no rest for the wicked though as the regional championships begin again next week.”
Urbaniks now runs classes in Balloch, Milngavie and Glasgow’s West End.
To find out more visit urbanikstreetdance-glasgow.co.uk.
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