Amaro "amazed' at second placing in the World Dance Championships

After only an hour and a half of practice together, the 20-year-old and her competition partner Michael Dressler, beat off stiff competition from South Africa the U.S. in American Rhythm heat aged-group of 18 to 35.

France won the category.

“I was compeltely shocked, I was getting ready for coming fourth place because I had never had ballroom training before.

“I was so nervous before the performance I thought I would blank out and I wasn’t sure about my technique. When I got up there I was working really hard but having lots of fun.”

Ms Amaro danced the mambo, rumba, cha cha, bolero and swing with her on the last night, Sunday.

It was held in the Poinciana Ballroom of the Fairmont Southampton.

Ms Amaro many supporters in the crowd as she shimmied across the floor in a sparkly, light blue costume.

The Bermuda College student is an assistant teacher at Sabor Dance School.

She began dancing at the age of three and gained her advanced background at the InMotion School of Dance under the direction of Lizz Pimentel.

When she was 14 she began dancing with Sabor and has been there ever since.