By Curtis Campbell—A Japanese dance crew was once again crowned World Reggae Dance champions after shrugging off a sea of Jamaican dancers, in an exciting competition in Independence City on Monday.

After two hours of dancing to dancehall and reggae songs, the Jamaican dancers were again on the losing end, following a similar defeat at last year’s final to Japanese dance crew Japan Squad.

Dancers from Finland, Netherlands and Guadeloupe also made attempts at the crown.

The night’s first competitor was Flava Expression, dancing to Shabba Ranks’ Bedroom Bully and Tommy Lee Sparta’s Duh Wey Mi Feel. The crowd on hand responded well to the performance which was followed by one from Guadeloupe’s Unique Dancers.

The group danced to Vybz Kartel’s rendition of Shabba Ranks’ Ting A Ling, but were rarely in sync.

Finland’s Gaza Girls were next and put the crowd squarely in their corner with displays of real charisma. The Finnish group performed to Tommy Lee Sparta’s Angels and Aidonia’s Touch Yu Tonight.

The all-male Epic Diamond Skankers followed. They faced the uphill battle of following the crowd favourites, though the Jamaican group managed to stand its ground by doing daring dance moves made for females. The group danced to Kotch by RDX and even did the ‘Trapsetta’ otherwise known as ‘One Drop’ dance move, popular among women.

Patrons found humour in the display and gave them a resounding roar of approval.

The Ultimate Dancers came next with a Jamaican theme. Dressed in the island’s colours, they danced to Busy Signal’s Born and Grown and Mr Vegas’ Sweet Jamaica. The group turned its performance on its head by including a plus-size male dancer in the set. That dancer performed to the music of RDX’s Jump and had the audience going crazy. Ironically, the saviour of the group was also the reason behind its downfall. He was a bit slower when doing choreographed moves later in their set.

Following a slew of Jamaican groups, came Japanese dance champions Yellow Yellow Dance Crew. Dressed in yellow Merinos, they danced to Bumaye by Major Lazer, featuring Busy Signal.

The patrons were left in awe at the group’s ability to tell a story through dance.

Attack Dem Dancers, also from Japan, were beaten at the Japan qualifiers by Yellow Yellow and they perhaps saw the opportunity to avenge that loss at the World Reggae Dance competition. The group did so in fine style, performing neatly choreographed moves to Bumaye.