Pupil Dances To World Title Hat-Trick
01 May 2009
A fleet-footed Solihull School pupil is on top of the Irish dance world after notching up his third successive world title.
Joe O’Donnell Bitter, who lives at Catherine-de-Barnes in Solihull, has both his club and his school to thank for helping him win the 2009 World Irish Dance Championships on its American debut.
The 14-year-old beat off the challenge of 52 other international contenders in the world-leading Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts at Philadelphia in front of judges from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK and the USA.
He was able to rehearse his stunning solo dance routine, choreographed by his coach John Carey from the Doherty Dance Academy Birmingham class, in a dazzling showcase by the Midland competitors at Solihull School only the week before.
Joe not only won the Under-15 world title but also clinched gold medals in the Under-16 mixed figure 16-hand and mixed ceili eight-hand team events, as well as a silver medal in the senior mixed figure competition in Philadelphia.
His success, which included the award of an almost unprecedented maximum 100 points score from one judge, has brought his tally of national and world titles to 25. He also remains six-times undefeated All Ireland champion.
Joe’s mother Nicole Bitter said: “Both his teacher and the audience felt that Joe gave a brilliant performance in Philadelphia as part of a highly successful Midland contingent that also gained a third place, two fourth places and a sixth place.
“Being able to experience the pressure of a live audience-packed stage performance in Solihull School’s magnificent Bushell Hall just a week before the championships enabled everyone from the region to be fully prepared to dance their best.”
Already looking for ward to defending his world title in Glasgow next year, Joe is aiming to emulate the success of his role model and teacher John Carey, who won the world championships eight times and was a former Lord of the Dance lead.
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