A HELENSBURGH Highland dancer is celebrating after winning two major competitions in one weekend.

Naomi Sim, 9, secured the pre-championship title in Musselburgh on Saturday, March 26, winning three out of four dances and placing second in the other.

The following day, she won the United Kingdom Alliance championship - an event which is part of the highest level in Highland competition.

This was the youngster’s first championship attempt, and the first competition of such level to be held in Scotland since before the pandemic.

Gordon Sim, Naomi’s dad, said: “From my perspective, it’s always been about how Naomi feels.

“All we want is for her to enjoy it and get something positive out of it, which she does.

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“She’s very focused and she doesn’t take anything lightly.

“She enjoyed the win in the pre-championship, but she almost immediately went back to focusing on the next day’s competition.

“We just followed her example and focused on what was coming next.”

Championships are judged on four dances: the Highland fling, sword dance, Seann Truibhas, and Strathspey and Highland Reel.

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Each dance is scored by three judges, with the points being added together to provide a top six.

The dancer with the most points across the four dances is crowned champion.

Naomi won first place in the sword dance and reel, as well as taking second in the Highland fling and Seann Truibhas.

The Margaret Rose School of Dance pupil was also delighted to see a familiar name engraved on her championship trophy.

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The 2017 winner of the cup was fellow Helensburgh dancer Eilidh Gammons, who has won more than 100 titles during her dancing career.

Gordon said: “Eilidh is her hero and the one who she’s looked up to since she started dancing.

“She’s been a real role model for her, so to win a trophy that Eilidh had won previously made her feel very happy.”

Naomi’s next outing will be to the Valley of Strathmore Premiership in Forfar this Sunday, April 10.

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