An Irish dacing prodigy whose family relocated from San Fran-cisco to Solihull to further his dancing career has achieved his ambition of becoming a world champion.
Joe O'Donnell Bitter was awarded a perfect 700 score from a panel of seven international judges to win the World Junior Irish Dance Championship at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow.
He beat off the challenge of 47 other qualifiers to clinch the world title at his third attempt, having been runner up for the past two years since reaching the minimum entry age of ten.
Joe moved to Solihull three years ago from San Francisco where, at the age of seven, he first took up Irish dance lessons and set his sights on becoming a world champion.
The 12-year-old Solihull School pupil won his first Great Britain title a year later and since then has clinched 17 national titles with the support of his dance teacher Danny Doherty, who runs the Doherty Dance Academy based in Coventry.
Practising for up to 20 hours a week for most of the year, Joe remains the undefeated Great Britain, All Ireland and American junior champion.
His first foray into the world of Irish dancing saw him follow in the footsteps of his sister Caroline, who was inspired to take it up after watching a stage performance of Riverdance.
Joe's success early in his dancing career prompted his mum and dad, Nicole and Patrick, to take the huge step of relocating to Solihull, after deciding how important Irish dancing was to him.
Joe said: "The world champion-ship has always been my dream - and the day I won it was probably the happiest of my life. I am so grateful to my dance teachers and family for helping me to win the title, which I will treasure for the rest of my life."
Joe's mother Nicole Bitter said: "We are so pleased for Joe's winning title and very appreciative of Solihull School for providing him with a framework for his success. Joe has gained greatly in self-confidence and discipline in the past three years - and these factors have been vital contributors to winning his title."
Speaking to The Harp last time it highlighted Joe's achievements, Danny Docherty said: "He has natural rhythm, which for a boy his age isn't always the case. Boys generally have to work a bit harder and train more in rhythmic work until their late teens. But he is very lucky - that is natural ability. It is about being able to do complicated material and keep in rhythm. Even though he is quite young he has definitely got the personality. He has a bit of character which will help him thrive and has a lot of good things going for him."
Anyone interested in finding out more about the Danny Doherty School of Dance, which has academies all around the Midlands, can call 024 76 545091.