Roxroy McLean, Star Intern

The Untouchable Dancers (from left) Manawe Simpson, Jerome Brown, and Javar Smith pose with their Carl Bradshaw trophy after winning the firts prize of $250,000, a $25,000 gift certificate from Cooyah and the trophy, at the World Reggae Dance Championship at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre Friday, August 1. - nathaniel stewart

When Manawe Simpson, Jerome Brown and Javar Smith decided that they would make a career out of dancing, the thought of winning a major dance competition was not on their minds.

The three, who make up the Untouchable Squad, started dancing in 2002 and with a major dance title to their name, the group's leader Manawe Simpson said the decision was not regretted.

"When choosing a career, you have to be careful of what you choose ... because you don't want to go to work every day questioning yourself of where you are," said the 21-year-old Kingston College past student.

Shelly Belly- role model

Earlier this year, the group who hails popular dancer Shelly Belly as their role model because of his composure and uniqueness, won the JCDC World Reggae Dance Competition. Prior to that, they finished sixth in the recently concluded 'Dancin' Dynamite' competition.

In 2007, Untouchable Squad entered the said competition and finished 14th, then went on to the World Reggae Dance Competition, where they finished third. However, Simpson saw both competitions as posing different challenges.

"The difference you get in the World Reggae Dance Competition is that you get the chance to present yourself the way you want to ... unlike 'Dancin' Dynamites', where you get all sorts of things to dance to," said Simpson, who joined the group in 2004.

"Because we party a lot, we have a sense of what is taking place ... we are not the typical dancers, so I think that was our edge when we won the competition," he added.

The group, which is based in Raetown, Manley Meadows in east Kingston, practises occasionally, but when they do, the hours are long.

Three new dances

They have three new dances out called Touchable Bounce, Deh So, and Cyah Touch Dis. According to Smith, the aim is to reach the top.

"Our aim is to be touring with artistes ... performing at big stage shows as special guests, and be main characters in music videos," Smith, who graduated from Vauxhall High School last year, said.

Their most notable appearances was at the Independence street dance and they also performed at the Red Stripe half-time show at the Grand Gala inside the National Stadium.

They have also performed at High School barbecues and the Miss Teen Jamaica Competition.

"We are the group with a difference, we always choose songs that everybody else don't dance to ... and we keep it gangster," said Simpson.