Urban sport breaking made its Olympic debut yesterday in Paris. Japan's B-girl Ami Yuasa took home the gold in the inaugural women’s breaking event. This may also be the only time breaking, also known as breakdancing, is featured at the Olympics.
In the women's competition held at the Place de la Concorde, 17 competitors showcased their skills. Yuasa secured the gold by defeating Lithuania's Dominika 'Nika' Banevich in the final. China's Liu '671' Qinghai earned the bronze medal.
After clinching the gold, the 25-year-old Ami Yuasa stated, "I focused on my style and maintained my fitness. I showcased breaking to the world and explained what it’s all about."
Breaking will not be featured in future Olympics, as the discipline has already been excluded from the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Its future inclusion in the Olympics remains uncertain. Australian B-girl Rachel Regan expressed disappointment over the decision, saying, "It's frustrating that breaking won't be included in Los Angeles, especially when we had the opportunity to showcase it. I believe it's a short-sighted decision, and I’m unsure if they’re reconsidering their choice."
The organizers have also run a lot of breaking campaigns at the Paris Olympics. It also drew a good audience, including rapper Snoop Dogg. Italian B-girl Antilai Sandrini said of Breaking, 'I can't believe it, I'm here (Olympics). Because, braking is totally different (game). I didn't think braking would ever be included in the Olympics. So for me it's a big deal
In the first competition, Talash, a competitor from the Refugee Olympic Team, went up against India Sardio of the Netherlands. His real name is Manijah Talash. Two years ago, he left Taliban-controlled Afghanistan and relocated to Spain. He displayed a blue cloth with the message 'Free Afghan Women.' U.S. B-girl Logan Edra commented on the significance of the message, stating, "Many people are suffering around the world, and this message is important."
Breaking, which emerged from hip hop culture in the 1970s, has struggled to maintain its original essence while adapting to the Olympic stage. Logan described the integration of breaking into the Olympics as a "messy" process. B-girls showcased their routines on a circular stage, with winners chosen by judges from several rounds. Competitors hailed from various cultural backgrounds, including Japan, Lithuania, Morocco, and Australia.
Australian B-girl Regan voiced her concerns about breaking's inclusion in the Olympics, questioning its compatibility with traditional sports such as dressage, artistic swimming, 100m sprints, and the pentathlon. She pointed out that breaking is highly athletic, requires considerable dedication, and brings a unique excitement to the Games.
The boys' breaking event starts today.
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