Dancers from Blaze Street Dance Academy, based in Ashton-under-Lyne, are celebrating an outstanding achievement after representing England at their first-ever UDO World Championships.
Blaze dancers spent four days in Blackpool in August competing alongside talent from across the globe, with more than 300 teams taking part in the Championships.
The academy’s elite junior team, Limitless Juniors, secured an impressive 15th place in the world.
We also had Blaze’s youngest duo, Amariah and Phoebe, also finishing 5th in the world and earning a place among the top five in their category.
The World Championship success follows an exciting period of international competition for Blaze. After qualifying, dancers from the academy competed at the European Championships in Belgium last year, before returning to the European Championships in Germany in May this year.
Just like Worlds, dancers must qualify to earn their place at the European Championships, making each international appearance an achievement in itself.
Sammy-Jo, company owner of Blaze Street Dance Academy, said:
“To represent England on the world stage at our first UDO World Championships and come home with these results is something we are incredibly proud of.
“Our dancers have put in countless hours of training and extra rehearsals, so seeing that hard work creates opportunities for them to compete internationally has been amazing.
“Over the last two years, our dancers have progressed from the Europeans in Belgium, to achieving a top 10 placing at the Europeans in Germany in May, and then on to their first World Championships in August.
“Every one of those opportunities has been earned through qualification, which makes their journey even more special.
“Limitless Juniors worked incredibly hard to earn their place at Worlds, and finishing 15th in the world was an achievement we will never forget.
“None of this would be possible without the commitment of our dancers, teachers, and families, who have supported them every step of the way.
“One of our biggest aims at Blaze has always been to give local children the opportunity to discover street dance and see where it can take them.
“A child can walk through our doors having never danced before and go on to build confidence, make friendships, perform, compete and even have the opportunity to represent England at European and World Championship level.
“We hope our dancers’ achievements inspire more children to give street dance a try. From a first dance class to an international stage, you never know where that journey could lead.”
Blaze Street Dance Academy has been part of the local community since April 2011 and has grown to become one of the main street dance schools in the area, running classes across Ashton-under-Lyne and Stalybridge.
For more than 15 years, the academy has provided opportunities for children and adults of different ages and abilities, from those taking their first dance class through to dancers who want to perform and compete.
Classes include Street & Breakdance, Contemporary, Stunt & Pom, Acro, Flips & Tricks and Mini Cheer & Acro, with both recreational and competitive opportunities available.
The academy is currently welcoming new members, with free trials available across all classes throughout September.
For free trials and class bookings, visit: https://pbbl.uk/BlazeStreetDanceAcademy
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