A dancer from Dagenham took on the world to take home the gold in a global hip-hop tournament.

Fourteen-year-old Chelsea Lowman, who lives in Manning Road, competed in the World Hip Hop Championships in Bochum, Germany, with her dance crew Entity in front of a TV audience of millions.

Chelsea was part of the junior formation category for under-16s battling it out across Europe to the world final on September 25.

Her dance crew of 19 practised for a year at Unity Dance School in Barking. “Hip-hop is one of my favourite styles,” she said.

“There are a lot of styles in hip-hop from different cultures.

“I started [dancing] when I was really young, at four years old, by doing stage-school dance, and then I went into street dance.”

Chelsea didn’t feel nervous until moments before going out on stage.

“I was excited but when we were waiting the nerves started to kick in,” she said.

After Entity came first in its category of 25 international dance groups, Chelsea and her friends received their awards on a podium in front of the huge audience.

“We all just burst out crying,” she said. “We were all so shocked.

“They called us up and we all stood there and they gave us a medal each. It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences.”

Dad Glenn, who travelled with her to Germany, said: “We’re over the moon. It’s amazing for her to experience what she’s experienced.

“The kids broke down. We couldn’t believe what they had achieved.

“It was amazing, especially representing the country and singing the national anthem. It was fantastic.”

Chelsea, who hopes for a career as a PE teacher, thanked her dance instructors, saying: “They push you to show your dance skills, but they still have a joke and a laugh.”