Minister of Culture Olivia Grange (left) presents the winner's trophy to the Spanish Town Dance Troupe after the group won the World Reggae Dance Championships last Saturday night at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre. - Contributed

Huddled in a tight circle backstage, defending champions Untouchable Squad's last minute prayers went in vain when Spanish Town Dance Troupe took home first place and $250,000 and other prizes at the World Reggae Dance Championships, held last Saturday night at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre.

Coming in a close second place was the newly-formed Japanese quartet, Ivan Squad, followed by Ed Hardy Dancers.

A jam-packed Ranny Williams saw an array of performances from the likes of D' Angel, Romain Virgo, Christopher Martin, Shane-O, QQ and Wayne Marshall, as well as some colourful and humorous dance routines.

Fun-filled

Starting promptly at 8 p.m., the dance championships was a fun-filled family event that featured rides for children, booths of sumptuous food and a night full of Jamaican dancing from past to present.

Twenty squads from across the island went head-to-head to be crowned this year's champion, but it was the energetic Spanish Town Dance Troupe, which had a large crowd following, that wowed the judges.

Emceed by the humorous Richie B, the World Reggae Dance Championships saw an array of moves and references from popular culture.

A number of groups used voices from the Twin Twins' Trials and Crosses album to get a few laughs, while groups such as World Wind Dancers did an Olympic reference that got a 'forward' from the crowd. The H.J. Dance Group, which closed its routine dressed like deejays Mavado and Vybz Kartel at Sting 2008, had persons out of their seats cheering. Ed Hardy Dancers' creative use of unpopular songs and a D' Angel imitation to the track Blaze earned them a spot in the top three. Ivan's Squad's use of karate, change in costume and well-coordinated moves got the Japanese squad the biggest 'forward' for the night and brought the most energy to the competition.

Other competitors for the night included One Plus, Cali Ville Dancers, VIP Squad, Hiyah Style Dancers, Cash Money Dancers, Classic Dancers, Junior MOB, Escalade Dancers, Baby Cramp Dem, Target Dancers, Supreme Unit and the only all-female group Twaconomics.