Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

The Untouchable Dancers pose with their Carl Bradshaw trophy after winning the first prize of $250,000, a $25,000 gift certificate from Cooyah and the trophy, at the World Reggae Dance Championships at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre.

When the Untouchable Dancers went onstage at the Ranny Williams Centre, Hope Road, St Andrew, on Friday night, they had on long-sleeved shirts and ties.

Soon enough, though, they were 'emancipated' from the semi-formal attire and were down to merinos, a fake fracas and a doll featured in a routine that contained some 'daggering', as well as slow hip rolls that made some women in the large audience squeal.

When the results of the World Reggae Dance Championships were announced past the midnight hour, it was the members of the all-male Untouchable Dancers who did the screaming, breaking from the silent circle of linked hands they were in to run onstage and dance again; this time in triumph.

They won $250,000, a $25,000 gift certificate from Cooyah and the Carl Bradshaw trophy, which he presented personally.

The Chemical Boys, who were second, tossed out fake money to the audience during their set but collected $100,000 in the real stuff, plus a Cooyah gift certificate for their efforts.

The all-female DOJ Squad took third place with a highly organised set at the World Reggae Dance Championships held at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, Friday, August 1. - Nathaniel Stewart photos

And the all-female DOJ Squad took third place with a highly organised set; the brightly tights-clad ladies starting out with moves to Could You Be Loved. They won $50,000 and a $10,000 Cooyah certificate, MC Jerry D expressing his appreciation for the largest lady of the bunch, as had the audience for her every 'boasy bounce'.

Bright colours and coordinated costuming had been the order of the World Reggae Dance Championships, the aptly named Colour Squad sporting oversized, exotic headwear and Junior MOD's members having multi-coloured hair. The Global Unit had on sweaters with checker designs and jeans, while the Trelawny dancers had on bright yellow track outfits.

In the early segment, the A&D Squad had the audience cheering as they came onstage toting a coffin before falling dramatically onstage to the trademark laugh at the end of Michael Jackson's Thriller. With one member going high on stilts, they were the first to 'bus' the audience at Ranny Williams on Friday night.

At the start, Dance Xpressionz showed moves through Jamaica's musical development. Ice and Shelly Belly displayed the 'creeper' and 'to the world' moves respectively, among others, after intermission, with Persian the Cat dropping nifty leg movements after the contestants had wrapped up. It was not all dance, as Mystery Man, Xinyu, Shane-O, I-Octane, D'Angel, Voicemail and Assassin completed the entertainment package.

This patron would not be left out of the festivities. Who cares if 'professional' dancers were onstage?