Newtown-based dance school the Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance recently sent two dancers to Belfast, Ireland, to compete in the World Irish Dancing Championships. The prestigious event, often referred to as the “Olympics of Irish Dance,” brings together the most elite champion dancers from around the globe as they compete for the title of “World Champion.”

Students Katie Sheehan and Piper Normand earned medals after making it through two cuts and five rounds.

Sheehan and Normand earned their qualifying spots with top notch performances at the New England Regional Championships and US Championships, according to Ashurst co-directors Christina and Craig Ashurst.

The international competition, which celebrated its 50th anniversary, ran over a full week ending on Easter. Sheehan and Normand, both seniors in high school, competed in the Ladies 17-18 category, which had nearly 200 competitors.

On day one they each performed two rounds: a powerful, rhythmic hard shoe dance and an athletic, graceful light shoe round.

The top half of the competition advanced to the next day, where the two rounds were performed again before a final cut was made and the top tier of dancers, including Sheehan and Normand, performed a solo hard shoe dance that showcased their individual qualities and strengths and earned them World medals.

The Ashursts, former Riverdance cast members, both competed at the Worlds and know the event well.

“We watched Katie and Piper from home using the online live feed. To see them performing their personal bests was such a joy and to have it all pay off in the results was icing on the cake!” Christina said. “For them to share the whole experience together will be an unforgettable memory.”

To follow this story or learn more about the Ashurst Academy, visit ashurstirishdance.com.