BUENOS AIRES, September 2, 2008 (AFP) - Couples from Argentina and Colombia swept the top four spots late Monday in the finals of the World Tango Championships in Buenos Aires, defeating contestants from around the world including three Japanese couples.

The ultimate round of the dance style follows a week of competition that has been played out in front of 60,000 spectators, a third of whom were foreigners.

The two top spots were taken by Argentine couples, while the next two spots were won by couples from Colombia.

The Tango originated in the poor neighborhoods of the Argentine capital before becoming a worldwide phenomenon synonymous with romance and drama in the early 20th century.

Its enduring international popularity was attested to by the broad field that entered this year's championship.

Of the 400 couples who trod and swirled over the boards in the Luna Park stadium in Buenos Aires, 90 came from 22 other countries, including Australia, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, France, Italy, the Philippines, Turkey and the United States.

One of the Japanese couples vying for the title were Tomoko Nakai, a former cook originally from Tokyo, and Eiichiro Oya, who used to be an employee in an Osaka hotel.

'I feel well prepared to dance. I'm not afraid of the Argentinian dancers. We know the 'milongas',' Nakai told AFP ahead of the contest, referring to Buenos Aires dance halls where the precise flourishes and tango steps are practised.

A jury made up of highly regarded Argentine dancers, such as Juan Carlos Copes and Miguel Angel Zotto, judged the competition.