Legit Status Varsity Brings Home the World Title from UDO World Finals

Legit Status Varsity showed that big dreams can take them far—with plenty of hard work, family support, and love for what they do along the way

For Legit Status Varsity, a trip to the United Kingdom ended with something they’ll likely remember for the rest of their lives: a world championship.

Last August 12 to 16, the dance group made history at the UDO World Finals at Blackpool’s iconic Winter Gardens. Competing in the 18-and-Under Advanced Category, the dance group became the first team from the Philippines to win the title in the division.

But as impressive as the trophy is, there’s so much more to this win than what happened on the dance floor.

From Cubao to Blackpool

Before the competition, the training began at GC Dance Studios in Cubao, Quezon City, where the young dancers spent countless hours training, rehearsing, and learning to move as one.

Before the World Finals, the team was already showing their moves at SOAR Manchester, held August 7 to 9. They placed first in the Under 16 category and second in the Adult Mega Crew Division—giving the dancers confidence before heading to Blackpool.

At the Winter Gardens, dancers from around the world gathered for the UDO World Finals. For Legit Status Varsity, it was an opportunity not only to compete but also to represent the country on an international stage.

And they made it count.

“This is our biggest blessing this year as a dance family,” says Vimi Rivera, Legit’s dance director and founder. “First World Championship for our Legit Status Varsity team, and it made it even sweeter by winning it twice on this UK trip. [It’s] always an honor to represent the country, and always proud to raise our flag. On to the next one!”

Rivera also took to Instagram to celebrate the milestone, calling the team the first-ever Filipino group to win the 18 and Under Advanced category at UDO.

He also celebrated the team’s victory at the SOAR World Finals and gave credit to the dancers who came before them—the members who started in the Varsity group and helped build Legit Status into what it is today.

“This UK trip has been so special,” Rivera shared, while also thanking the coaching staff, parents, and everyone who helped make the journey possible.

A win worth remembering

The Philippines has never been short on young people with talent and big dreams. What stories like this remind us, though, is how far those dreams can go when children are given the space to pursue them—and when the adults around them are willing to support the journey.

For Legit Status Varsity, that journey took them from a dance studio in Cubao all the way to Blackpool.

It came with hard work, long hours, and probably more than a few moments of doubt along the way.

But they kept dancing. And this time, they came home as world champions—again.

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