14 Aug 2019 07:03
With just a month to go until the World Urban Games this 13-15 September in Budapest, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) reached out to two breakers set to compete in the Hungarian capital to get their thoughts on the first edition of the new multi-sport event and a range of other topics, including Breaking’s possible inclusion at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
B-boy Klash is a five-time winner of the Red Bull BC One in his native Egypt, and he has his sights set on Budapest to raise both his profile and the profile of Breaking in his homeland. Hungarian b-girl Csepke, on the other hand, took part in Breaking’s debut at the 2018 Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games and is proud to be welcoming the World Urban Games to her hometown and exposing Breaking to an ever-widening audience.
“I’m very happy to see the World Urban Games organised in Hungary,” said Csepke, who was born and raised in Budapest. “I think it’s a great opportunity for me and for the whole Hungarian Breakin’ culture because we can meet the prominent players in the Breaking scene.”
The World Urban Games will feature eight sports (six competition and two showcase) in total, including BMX Freestyle, Roller Freestyle, Parkour, 3X3 Basketball and Flying Disc Freestyle. Breaking will take place over two days at the WUG, with the Round Robin phase on 13 September followed by the Final phase (Top 8) the next day.
Twenty-four of the breakers qualified directly from the 2019 WDSF World Breaking Championship held in Nanjing, China this June. Six others booked their tickets via the Outbreak Europe event last month, meaning the level of artistry and athleticism on display will be world-class, something that Klash says he more than welcomes.
“For me, I want to be unique and known everywhere around the world. I love Breaking and want to be the best,” he says, adding that he enjoys performing difficult and original moves, something the crowds in Budapest should expect to see next month.
Klash also says that when he competes at international events he does so not only for personal reasons but as an ambassador for his country. “Egypt has a lot of people dancing – maybe 1,000 b-boys – but there is [not a lot of] interest, there are no tournaments. My country really needs this.”
The WUG are designed to be the ultimate global showcase for urban sports, providing visitors with a rich mixture of sports, music and culture. The Games will also help to regenerate a part of southern Budapest that has been off limits to the public for many years: the site of the Great Market Hall, which first opened in 1932. The Hall, which Csepke describes as the “perfect venue” for the event, will be used both as a competition site and a concert hall and is situated next to the Danube River, providing a visually stunning backdrop for the Games.
For Csepke, the WUG are another important stepping stone in her development as a b-girl. She credits her success to the great support of her Stay Fresh Crew and especially her coach, Lajos Fodor, who she admires for his work ethic and commitment to ensuring that “great opportunities” are offered to her entire team.
“I want to have fun during the event because it is very important for me to dance with a positive attitude and to do my best moves,” she says, pointing to her footwork, Toprock and musicality as her main strengths. “I will try my best during the World Urban Games to proudly represent Hungary.”
Csepke did just that at Breaking’s debut at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, which she says was a springboard to greater opportunities and growth within the community.
“I learnt a lot during the Youth Olympic Games. The things that I learnt and experienced there help me during my daily practices in Hungary,” she says. “I have been practicing and travelling a lot with my team since then. I had another chance to represent Hungary in Nanjing, China at the World Breaking Championship. It was such a great experience, too.”
Of course, one of the biggest opportunities for Breaking in decades is its possible inclusion at the Olympic Games in 2024. The WDSF has already received provisional inclusion from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), with a final decision set for December 2020.
Asked if they would be interested in taking part in the Olympic Games should Breaking be granted official inclusion, the two breakers were unanimous in their response.
“Absolutely!” says Klash. “I want the world to become more interested [in Breaking] and the attention to focus on dance, because it is so good and very difficult.”
Csepke echoed his thoughts: “[The Youth Olympic Games] were a great chance for me and for the whole Breakin’ community. I’m really excited that Breakin’ might be involved in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”
The line-up for Breaking at the World Urban Games is as follows:
B-girls: Ami (JPN), Sunny (USA), Jilou (GER), Ying Zi (CHN), Roxy (GBR), Ayane (JPN), Madmax (BEL), Queen Mary (BUL), Logistix (USA), Fresh Bella (KOR), Vavi (RUS), Paulina (POL), Csepke (HUN), Kate (UKR), San Andrea (FRA), and Sarah Bee (FRA).
B-boys: Menno (NED), Lussy Sky (UKR), Lil G (VEN), Bumblebee (RUS), Lagaet (FRA), Shigekix (JPN), Phil Wizard (CAN), Klash (EGY), Vero (KOR), Roll (HUN), Dr. Hill (MEX), BruceAlmighty (POR), Victor (USA), Icey Ives (USA), Daniel (NOR), Quake (TPE).
On hand to judge the 1vs1 battles will be Jeskilz (FRA), Katsu One (JPN) and Moy (USA), with Amjad and Rambo doing the emceeing and DJs Southscream and Fleg on the turntables.
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24 Jul 2019 10:00
In another exciting first for DanceSport, Breaking will feature on the programme for the inaugural edition of the World Urban Games (WUG) in Budapest this 13-15 September.
The World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) is thrilled to be part of this innovative new project organised by the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), which will also feature 3x3 basketball, BMX freestyle, flying disc freestyle, parkour and roller freestyle. In addition, indoor rowing and laser run will be on the programme as showcase sports.
The 1vs1 battles will take place over two days (Round Robin on 13 September and the knockout stage on 14 September), with 16 b-girls and 16 b-boys vying for a total purse of 100,000 USD – which will be split 50/50 as part of the WDSF’s commitment to gender equality in sport.
“It is an honour for the WDSF to take part in the first edition of the World Urban Games, as we feel it is a natural extension of the success of Breaking at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires last year,” said WDSF President Shawn Tay. “It will be an excellent new platform for b-boys and b-girls to showcase their talent and we look forward to a highly entertaining, first-class event in Budapest.”
Twenty-four breakers qualified from the recent 2019 WDSF World Breaking Championship in Nanjing. The rest of the field will be rounded out by three b-boys and b-girls from the Outbreak Europe event in Slovakia this 24-28 July, while the final two places have been allotted to dancers from the host country.
As an indication of Breaking’s popularity around the world, b-boys and b-girls representing 18 countries (JPN, USA, GER, CHN, GBR, BEL, BUL, KOR, RUS, POL, HUN, NED, UKR, VEN, FRA, CAN, EGY, MEX) have already qualified for the Games.
The WUG are designed to be the ultimate global showcase for urban sports, providing visitors with a rich mixture of sports, music and culture. The Games will also help to regenerate a part of southern Budapest that has been off limits to the public for many years: the site of the Great Market Hall, which first opened in 1932. The Hall will be used both as a competition venue and a concert hall and is situated next to the Danube River, which will provide the perfect backdrop for the Games.
Easily accessible from the city centre, the area is located next to the National Theater, the Palace of Arts and Budapest Park, making it a great spot for families and local university students to take in all the action, which will include numerous demonstration events for all ages and abilities.
“The World Urban Games programme for Budapest 2019 presents a global stage for emerging disciplines, as well as an opportunity for world-class athletes to demonstrate their abilities and for people in urban areas to take a proactive role in sport,” said GAISF President Raffaele Chiulli. “I have no doubt that the Hungarian capital will be the perfect arena.
“GAISF is working closely with the local organising committee and with our International Federations to ensure that the World Urban Games Budapest 2019 will be an incredible event that inspires a new generation of fans.”
16 Jul 2019 08:07
The newest addition is Moises ”Moy” Rivas (B-boy Moy) from the USA in the WDSF Athletes Commission led by Mrs. Ashli Williamson (DEN).
B-boy Moy, featured recently at the Olympic Channel podcast, has over 20 years of experience both in dancing but also giving back to the community by sharing his vision and dance all over the world. His story emphasizes on the importance of searching and finding a passion, and he has found it himself in creating opportunities that will encourage everyone that anything is possible.
As a competing b-boy he has been active since 1995 and he has reached top 4 in the main events, including Silverback Open in 2014 and Undisputed USA 2017. Since 2016 he has also been a member of Monster Crew.
Moy was appointed by the IOC as Athlete Role Model for Breaking at the Youth Olympic Games 2018, to serve as the mentor to young b-boys and b-girls who competed in the YOG, and to local youth as well, spending time with them and participating in activities which revolved around sport, culture and education.
"We're so pleased to be able to welcome B-boy Moy to our commission to bring the voice of all of our dancesport styles into the Athletes Commission. We are one of the fortunate Sports Federations that involve the athletes when decisions are made, and are open and supportive of our projects", Mrs. Williamson said.
The Athletes’ Commission is a consultative body of WDSF, submitting opinions held and requests articulated by the active athletes in DanceSport directly to the Presidium. The chairperson represents the commission’s views and opinions at the Presidium meetings.
Over the years to come, the commission is to grow organically and should - ultimately - comprise representatives of all DanceSport disciplines under WDSF auspices. Absolute gender parity among the members is to mark its composition as much as it does DanceSport in general.
10 Jul 2019 11:34
Breaking was included in the program alongside other disciplines during the four-day event in Sochi (RUS). The fantastic setting of the Sochi Olympic Park saw an energetic WDSF World Open Breaking 1vs1 b-boys as well as three dynamic WDSF Open Breaking competitions.
67 b-boys were battling for the WDSF World Open Breaking 1vs1 B-boys title. Alkolil (RUS) took the victory over Jamal (RUS) in the explosive final battle. The battle for the third place turned out in favour of Cheerito (RUS), who won the thrilling battle with Bullet From Space (RUS).
WDSF Open Breaking Teams 6vs6 turned out victorious for Jinjo (KOR), who overtook The Ruggeds (NED) in the exciting final. Predatorz (RUS) won the battle for the third place over Found Nation (JPN). 14 fabulous teams participated the competition.
WDSF Open Youth Breaking 1vs1 B-girls had six talented 16-18 years old b-girls on the starting list. Lee (RUS) won the dynamic final battle over Uzelok (RUS), and Luna (RUS) won the votes of the judging panel in the battle for the third place with Alien Ra (RUS).
WDSF Open Youth Breaking 1vs1 B-boys had thirteen 16-18 years old b-boys registered for the competition. DOPE DOG (RUS) convinced the judging panel and won the energetic final battle with D-Way (RUS). Iron (RUS) defeated Fly (RUS) in the battle for the third place.
The international, high-quality panel of judges included the head judge Storm (GER) and judges Aslan (RUS), Ruen (USA), Menno (NED), Physics (KOR), Mounir (FRA), Ayumi (JPN) and Focus (FIN).
25 Jun 2019 15:49
The World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) warmly welcomes today’s decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session to include Breaking on the sports programme of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Breaking made its Olympic debut last year at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, but its inclusion on the Paris 2024 programme is the first time any DanceSport discipline has appeared at an Olympic Games. The 2024 Summer Olympic Games are scheduled to take place in the French capital from 26 July to 11 August.
“Today is a historic day for the DanceSport community and the discipline of Breaking,” said WDSF President Shawn Tay. “We are sure Breaking will be an outstanding success in Paris and will add lots of energy, athletic excellence, innovation and youth appeal to the Olympic Games. WDSF, together with the Breaking community, is ready to collaborate closely with Paris 2024 and the IOC to make the Olympic dream of the world’s best b-boys and b-girls come true.”
Breaking, together with Skateboarding, Sport Climbing and Surfing were proposed in February by the Paris 2024 Organising Committee for inclusion at the XXXIII Olympiad. In March, the IOC Executive Board (EB) gave the green light to the proposal, which was then put to a vote by the IOC Session (the assembly of all IOC members), currently meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The Paris 2024 organisers proposed the four sports in response to a new level of flexibility afforded to Olympic Games Host Cities to encourage innovation in the Olympic programme. Host Cities, beginning with Tokyo 2020, now have the option of suggesting new sports and events for inclusion in their edition of the Games that are not binding on future Games hosts.
“This is historic,” said b-boy Mounir, the Vagabond Crew member who joined the Paris 2024 delegation presenting at today’s IOC Session. “We were humble, but we never doubted. A pessimist never changed the world. We started from nothing, we learned how to make more with less, we believed in the impossible and today the impossible becomes possible.”
Skateboarding, Sport Climbing and Surfing were also included on the programme for Tokyo 2020, making Breaking the only new sport currently being considered for the 2024 programme. A competition format featuring 16 b-boys and 16 b-girls is anticipated for Paris 2024.
The final decision on Breaking’s inclusion at Paris 2024 will only be taken after the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, in December 2020. In the meantime, the IOC will have a monitoring programme in place that will look at the performance, management, governance and integrity of each of the four sports.
Today’s thumbs up by the IOC Session recognises the worldwide appeal and growth of Breaking, as exemplified by the success of Breaking’s three medal events at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Argentina, where upwards of 30,000 people came each day to see the competition.
The 2019 WDSF World Breaking Championship, held just two days ago in Nanjing, China, was hailed as an outstanding success as well. Over 150 b-boys and b-girls from 66 countries, including some of the biggest names in Breaking, competed in the event, which also served as qualifier for the Breaking competition at the first edition of the World Urban Games (WUG) in September in Budapest, Hungary. The qualification events for the WDSF World Championship in Nanjing were conducted by WDSF National Member Federations.