East Kilbride girls stunned after being crowned world champions

Dance Passion is celebrating as they scooped first place in the World Street Dance Championships last weekend.

Rachel Smith has run the studio for 14 years and said it was “a dream come true” for the team to pick up the trophy after putting their best foot forward.

They won in the under 18’s category with the youngest member being just 12-years-old.

The girls were thrilled (Image: Colin Mearns)

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Rachel said: “I still can't believe it, sometimes it is easy to forget just how amazing the girls are at what they do.

“We went and did our best but we were up against so many other countries so we didn’t know what would happen.

“It was amazing when we won, to come first out of so many other places it was great to bring it home to Scotland.

“The girls are still high as a kite so we are delighted with the result.

“I started the dance school 14 years ago and we have been working really hard so it is a dream come true.”

The group are world champions (Image: Colin Mearns)

Thousands of dancers took part in the international event which is hosted in Blackpool at the prestigious Winter Gardens.

The Urban Dance Organisation (UDO) hosted the 19th annual event with 30 countries and judges from all over the world including ‘Warlock’ from Thailand, Kenrick Sandy MBE, founder of Boy Blue, and Big Kris, a member of the renowned Street Dance Crew Flawless.

There was also a charity party and concert, with all proceeds being donated to charity.

In light of recent events in the dance community at Southport, this year’s donations were split between Cancer Research UK and the Southport Stronger Together Appeal.