16/4/2008Dancing for Joy
YOUNG Sean Downes is dancing for joy after winning a world championship title.
The 11-year-old from Coatbridge took the Boys' Under 12 World Championship title at the World Irish Dancing Championship in Belfast.
And he was the only Scottish competitor to win a solo title.
Sean, a pupil at the Anthony Savage School in Coatbridge, travelled to Belfast along with nine other pupils to take part in his first major dancing competition.
He stunned the judges with his routine and took the top prize in his category.
Seven other dance schools from Scotland also attended the competition, which is the biggest Irish dancing event in the world.
Sean's dance teacher Anthony Savage said: "Sean was completely shocked when the results came through. It has sunk in now and he is delighted with his win, it was such a surprise because it was totally unexpected.
"It was the first time he had taken part in something like this. It was his first time entering a competition and he did so well, we're already preparing for the next one."
Anthony, who opened his dance school in 2004, has been teaching and taking his pupils to the World Irish Dancing Championship ever since.
This year's championship took place at the Waterfront in Belfast and attracted around 4000 spectators for it's 38th annual event. The competition spanned eight days and invited dancers of all ages to compete in front of eight judges for a variety of titles.
Next year the competition will take place in Philadelphia.
The 11-year-old from Coatbridge took the Boys' Under 12 World Championship title at the World Irish Dancing Championship in Belfast.
And he was the only Scottish competitor to win a solo title.
Sean, a pupil at the Anthony Savage School in Coatbridge, travelled to Belfast along with nine other pupils to take part in his first major dancing competition.
He stunned the judges with his routine and took the top prize in his category.
Seven other dance schools from Scotland also attended the competition, which is the biggest Irish dancing event in the world.
Sean's dance teacher Anthony Savage said: "Sean was completely shocked when the results came through. It has sunk in now and he is delighted with his win, it was such a surprise because it was totally unexpected.
"It was the first time he had taken part in something like this. It was his first time entering a competition and he did so well, we're already preparing for the next one."
Anthony, who opened his dance school in 2004, has been teaching and taking his pupils to the World Irish Dancing Championship ever since.
This year's championship took place at the Waterfront in Belfast and attracted around 4000 spectators for it's 38th annual event. The competition spanned eight days and invited dancers of all ages to compete in front of eight judges for a variety of titles.
Next year the competition will take place in Philadelphia.