A TEENAGE breakdancer shone among thousands of hopefuls after winning a first prize at the world street dance championships.

Levon De Silva, of Coriander Way, in Greater Leys, Oxford, triumphed in the under-16 category of the World Hip Hop Electric Boogie World Championship, held in Poland.

More than 3,100 dancers from 34 countries competed in the hip hop and breakdancing event in the city of Kalisz.

The tournament is the only official street dance championship in the world.

The 14-year-old said: “I was so nervous that I felt like I wouldn’t actually be able to dance, but when I was on the dance floor, the nerves went away.”

He competed against 90 other dancers for the title with a one-minute routine choreographed with his dance teacher.

The teenager is used to success after scooping the European title at his first attempt – after only two years of dancing.

Levon also reached 13th place in the championships last year.

But this year he took the next step by winning the world title.

His mother Caroline said her son had always liked dancing and used to dance around the sitting room to music videos.

He took up dancing seriously after joining KC’s School of Dance, at Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre, after being persuaded by his mum.

Ms De Silva said: “I said 'just go once and if you don’t like it, you don’t have to go again'.”

Levon has not looked back and now attends lessons twice a week. He also practices every day.

Ms De Silva travelled with Levon to Poland.

She said: “When they went to announce the winner my heart was pounding. When he won, I jumped up and down.”

Kelly Chandler, Levon’s teacher at KC’s School of Dance, also attended the championships in her capacity as an England team official.

England took a team of 43 competitors to the championships, including 11 from Oxford.

Ms Chandler said: “Levon absolutely rocked. I knew he could do it.”