1 September 2010 Last updated at 13:40

In pictures: Tango World Championship

Chilean couple Maximiliano Alvarado and Paloma Berrios dance in the Tango Dance World Championship

Four hundred dancing pairs from around the globe have taken part in the eighth Tango Dance World Championship.

Argentine dancers Max Van de Voorde and Solange Acosta compete in the Tango Dance World Championship

This year the event was held in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires - known as the home of tango.

Tango dancers Eber Burger and Yesica Lozano of Argentina compete in the Tango Dance World Championship

The sensuous paired dance was first developed in the Rio de la Plata basin by the urban lower classes of Buenos Aires and Montevideo in Uruguay.

Tango dancer Paloma Berrios of Chile prepares backstage before competing in the Tango Dance World Championship

With a world title at stake, the competition was fierce. Female competitors made sure they were looking their best before taking to the stage.

Tango dancer Laura Vargas of Colombia wearing fake eyelashes

Every detail was checked, from the lashes on their eyes...

A woman prepares her shoes backstage prior to the final round of the Tango Dance World Championship

To the shoes on their feet.

Tango dancers Diego Ortega of Argentina and Chizuko Kuwamoto of Japan get ready backstage at the Tango Dance World Championship

And it was not just the women who dressed to impress.

A couple warm up before performing in the Tango Dance World Championship

But of course the winners would primarily be selected on their dance ability, so a pre-performance warm-up was in order too.

Tango dancers Javier Jofre and Paola Valdivia (top) of Argentina practicing at the Tango Dance World Championship

Though some were more energetic in their preparations than others.

Colombian couple David Mesa and Laura Vargas dance in the Tango Dance World Championship

Ultimately it came down to how the dancers performed when they got out in front of the judges.

A couple competes during the Tango Dance World Championship

There were acrobatic moves...

Tango dancers Leonardo Luizaga and Paola Luizaga of Argentina compete in the Tango Dance World Championship

And displays of great passion.

Argentine couple Diego Ortega and Chizuko Kuwamoto dance in the Tango Dance World Championship

But there could only be one winning couple. This year that honour went to an Argentine-Japanese pair, Diego Ortega and Chizuko Kuwamoto.

Tango dancers Diego Ortega of Argentina and Chizuko Kuwamoto of Japan celebrate winning the Tango Dance World Championship

The pair said they had imagined winning the title of world champions a thousand times, but when their dreams became reality, nothing could prepare them for how "incredible" it felt.

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In pictures: Tango World Championship

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