A nine-year-old boy from Bury St Edmunds has danced his way to become a world champion.

East Anglian Daily Times: Platinum Dance Studio in Bury have had success at a street dance competition. Sam Shattock.Platinum Dance Studio in Bury have had success at a street dance competition. Sam Shattock. (Image: Archant)

Sam Shattock, who is a member of Platinum Dance Academy off Bury’s Eastgate Street, recorded his greatest achievement in dance so far at the UDO (United Dance Organisation) World Street Dance Championships in Glasgow at the end of last month.

He beat off competition from around the world to be crowned winner of the under-10 novice category.

Sam has managed to achieve this success despite suffering from moderate hearing loss in both ears, which he said does not hold him back.

His proud mother Michelle said: “Street dance has got such a beat anyway, I think that probably helps him. Dancers do dance to the beat and count the beats.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Sam Shattock with one of the judges at the UDO World Street Dance Championships in Glasgow.Sam Shattock with one of the judges at the UDO World Street Dance Championships in Glasgow. (Image: Contributed)

Sam, who attends St Louis Catholic Middle School in Bury, said: “One of the dancers came up to me at the world championships and said ‘it just goes to show anyone can dance’.”

The youngster, who has been learning street dance for the past two and a half years, already had three championship wins at regional level under his belt, but this year’s UDO competition was the first time he had made his name globally.

Sam said: “Because I hadn’t danced in that kind of size auditorium and that many people by myself that made me a bit nervous, but when I went on there I was just fine.”

Sam, who has been dancing since the age of about six, said he got into it really through “jigging about” to his favourite music.

East Anglian Daily Times: Sam Shattock at the UDO World Street Dance Championships in Glasgow.Sam Shattock at the UDO World Street Dance Championships in Glasgow. (Image: Contributed)

He is huge fan of dancer Calvin Francis, who is met at the world championships in Glasgow, and is already thinking about taking part in next year’s competition. Lorna Adams, who runs Platinum Dance Academy, is delighted with the success of her dance school at the recent UDO championships.

In the finals, Scarlett Roscamp finished seventh in the under 10 novice group, team Nemesis came fifth in the under-14 novice category and team Uknight took sixth place in the under-18 novice group.

“I was so proud. I was crying my eyes out,” Miss Adams said.

For more information on Platinum Dance Academy visit www.platinum-dance.co.uk