00:00The six highest-scoring samba scores from Rio's carnival returned to the samba drum for a final parade, dazzling spectators with elaborate costumes and live samba music.
00:15Mangueira, which placed sixth, kicked off the festivities, culminating with champions Béja Fló, Dinópolis.
00:26Béja Fló was crowned the 2025 Rio de Janeiro Carnival Champion, with the team honouring their late carnival director, Laila, who passed away in 2021.
00:40To embark for the Champions Parade is a feeling that everyone you've done throughout this process, a long process, rehearsed for four to five months to present this work, to have this work recognised, awarded and to be among the six samba schools that have the opportunity to be at the Champions Parade and it's a feeling of duty accomplished.
01:01This victory held special significance for legendary samba singer and composer Neguinho Albeja Fló, who announced his retirement after serving as the school's official interpreter since 1976.
01:18When I step on the samba drum avenue, I can't explain the feeling, I just know that I shiver, a different hour is just there, it's a stereopheric level of feeling, I can't even explain what I'm feeling, it's a great joy.
01:36Judges revealed the winner on Wednesday after evaluating each school's performance across multiple categories.
01:47Previously spread over two days with six schools per parade, the special group now extends over three days featuring four schools each night.
01:57Rio's samba drum has been home to the parade since the 1980s and is a symbol of Brazil's carnival festivities.
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