TWO youngsters out-danced their peers to reach the top step of the podium in an international contest.

Crawley teenager Shanelle Keogh was crowned under-14 world champion while Amelia Knight won the under-12s category at the World Irish Dance Association World and European Championships.

Shanelle, 14, said she had to be helped upstairs after her performance because she had put in so much effort.

She added: “Getting to the top two was unbelievable then when they called my number, I didn’t know what to do first.

“I can remember jumping, thinking, ‘no, I don’t believe it,’ then I started crying, then the realisation that I was world champion sank in.

“That’s when the tears starting flowing.

“The happiest moment of my life.”

She and Amelia were part of a team from the Ace Academy of Irish Dance in Broadfield Barton, Crawley. The contest was held earlier this month in Dusseldorf, Germany.

She added: “It seems that I have been chasing this title for years, coming so close each time.

“This means everything to me and now I know all my hard work has paid off.”

Shanelle’s mother, Amanda Keogh, said her daughter had nagged her for dance lessons from an early age and trained for up to six hours a day.

She and her husband, Tony, were “like a pair of lunatics unleashed” when they saw their daughter clinch first place, she said.

Mrs Keogh added: “We could see Shanelle, she was crying tears of joy, relief, disbelief, excitement, a mixture of emotions that just seemed to come flooding out. This was her year.”

Amelia, 11, from Horsham, also has several previous titles including under-10 European Champion.

Mrs Keogh added: “The two girls, despite the age difference, are the best of friends as are all the girls in the dance school who are all very supportive of each other.”

A spokesperson for the Ace Academy of Irish Dance said: “We had huge success and are very proud of every dancer that competed, representing our school with passion, determination and professionalism.

“Over the weekend we brought home countless top 10 results alongside the two World Champions.”

Factfile

  • IRISH dancing is characterised by rapid leg and foot movements while the body stays largely still
  • It has its roots in Ireland going back centuries and is thought to have been influenced by European dances as well
  • Michael Flatley won the World Irish Dance Championships when he was 17, going on to create the internationally renowned dance shows Riverdance and Lord of the Dance
  • Dancers typically wear shoes with fibreglass tips or soft, black lace-ups