Celebrations are in order as dance crews take wins

The Movement Initiative Portsmouth are world champions

Portsmouth-based The Movement Initiative, celebrated winning golds, silvers and bronzes.

The registered charity flew to Graz in Austria to take part in the International Dance Organisation World Street Dance Championships.

Several of its dance crews went along, aged between 10 to 34, and competed as part of the British team taking home two golds, one silver and three bronzes.

Among the winners were 3 Lions, an adult battle crew and Toby Stannard, who both came away as champions.

Junior battle crew Young Lions won a silver. Ieesha Massiah, female solo, Good Vibes, adult battle crew and Dream Chasers Collection, adult formation, all won bronze.

Nikey Tutange, who danced in the men’s solo won sixth place and Matt Johnston, who danced in the boys solo.

After not qualifying for the past two years, the dancers were thrilled to come home with so much success,

Voluntary chief executive officer of The Movement Initiative Gareth Smith said: ‘It’s a great honour for these youngsters to represent the UK at these massive dance events.

‘The teams are very well connected and everyone looks after each other. It was fantastic and I’m really pleased for everyone.’

The World Street Dance Championship was founded as a non-profit organisation.

The purpose was to bring together professional and amateur individuals in the form of dance.

Since then, the competition has grown and expanded.

International Dance Organisation is now recognised as a major player in the dance industry.

This year, the six-day event involved 4000 dancers from 33 countries.

The Movement Initiative in Milton Road specialises in dance styles, such as, hip-hop, street and contemporary and is always looking to gain more members.

Mr Smith added: ‘Get involved and take a class, you will soon know if it is something you would like to carry on.’

Hip-hop classes are led by academy director Tega Alex, three-time world champion.

The dance crews have already applied for next year’s competition and hope to qualify.