Three NZ hip-hop dance crews have placed among the world's best at the international champs in Phoenix, Arizona.
All three crews – Swagganauts, I-Descendant and Yung ID – were coached by local dancer and choreographer Josh Cesan.
NZ hip-hop dance crew The Swagganauts came second in the Varsity division at the 2022 World Hip Hop Champs in Phoenix, Arizona Photo: Supplied
Josh says this style of dance isn't just for people who like hip hop music but an exciting spectacle for anyone to behold.
"'It's really refined into an amazing art and it really does blow people away," he tells Nathan Rarere.
Listen to Josh Cesan on First Up
Kiwi dance companies can be unassuming but they're doing "bloody well" on the world stage, Josh says.
"You'd look at them and think 'oh yep, maybe they do some cool stuff' but wow, when you see them onstage theyre incredible."
As well as a heap of practice, the dancers had to fundraise to get to the world event, which is regarded as "the Olympics of dance".
"It's very gruelling on the body and mind, the whole process. It's been an incredible journey and we had to put a lot into it but yes, we did very well.
"It was an amazing week of performances and they really did New Zealand proud."
The results:
Swagganauts (Identity Dance Company) came second in the Varsity category
I-Descendant (Identity Dance Company) came third in the Adult category
Yung ID (Identity Dance Company) came second in the Junior Varsity Mega Crew category