Flying high: The Ha Noi-based hip-hop dance crew SINE beat six other crews to win the title of Asia's Best Urban Dance Crew at the Centaur Dance Showdown 2012 in Singapore on Friday. – Photo ngoisao.net

HA NOI (VNS)–The Ha Noi-based hip hop dance crew SINE beat six international rivals to be crowned champions of the Centaur Dance Showdown in Singapore on Friday.

The freestyle street dance contest also attracted entrants from India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

Japanese judge and breakdance star Katsuyuki Ishikawa, popularly known as Bboy Katsu, said he saw the makings of a champion when he watched SINE performing.

"Not only their excellent dancing techniques but also their confidence and attractive performing style," Ishikawa said.

"They expressed their desire and enthusiastic energy through every single movement, which impressed me strongly," he said.

Another judge, Singapore hip-hop artist Sheikh Haikel, commented: "The Vietnamese crew gave a perfect performance. I couldn't find any mistake in their dancing technique, even when they performed difficult movements. They also showed a great connection between the crew members."

Along with the title of Asia's Best Urban Dance Crew, SINE walked away with a cash prize of US$10,000.

To get to the final, SINE (Saying Is Not Enough) beat more than 100 dance groups across Viet Nam in the semi-final.

Founded a year ago, SINE has since won third prize at the R16 Scandinavia Bboy in Denmark and was champion at the K-Hiphop Battle International in Thailand. — VNS