Michael Jackson and Batman Samba to Victory

Michael Jackson, Batman and a host of other enigmatic characters have helped Unidos da Tijuca take first prize in Rio’s Carnival samba parade for the first time in almost 80 years.

The overall winners take home a trophy and the right to call themselves reigning samba school champions for a year – no small victory in a city as samba-crazy as Rio de Janeiro.

Unidos da Tijuca swept aside competition from more celebrated schools such as Mangueira, Beija Flor de  Nilopolis and last year’s winners Salgueira thanks to an immaculately choreographed display that took the theme ‘It’s a Secret’.

Magic tricks, quick-fire costume changes and appearances from Batman, Spiderman, and a  convincing Jacko impersonator won over the judges in the four-day long competition, which drew hundreds of thousands to the purpose-built Sambodromo stadium.

The fiercely-contended competition is the culmination of a years’ planning and preparation for all the city’s samba schools, who spend millions of reais on their extravagant floats and costumes. The panel of judges drew their deliberations to a close on Wednesday, February 18, with locals across the city glued to their television screen as each samba-loving citizen rooted for their own particular favourite.

The victory is particularly sweet for Unidos da Tijuca, who have not taken home the trophy since the 1930s.  Hundreds of thousands of cans o

Meanwhile,samba school Viradoura, who took the controversial decision to elect a seven-year-old girl as samba queen finished last in the competition. The role is usually given to glamorous female figures from the world of Brazilian entertainment, and Julia Lira, daughter of the samba school’s president, burst into tears under the pressure of crowds and camera as Viradoura began their parade.