LONG BEACH, Calif. — Two Asheville, N.C., belly dancers won honors at the Belly Dancer of the Universe competition in Long Beach, Calif., last week.

Lisa Zahiya won first place in the Tribal Fusion Solo category. Sami Té was the first runner-up, as well as taking the prize for congeniality in the same category.

Zahiya won with a five-minute routine that presented a modern interpretation of belly dance, colored with hip hop and jazz dance.

As the category winner, Zahiya took home a cash prize and will be featured on the “Bellydance Mega Star Volume 2” DVD.

The international dance competition has been held every year since 1999.