Japanese B-Girl Ami has emerged victorious in the gold medal competition at the Olympics, beating Lithuania’s Nicka in the final battle. Breaking, also known as breakdancing, made its debut at the Olympics in Paris with 17 B-Girls showcasing their skills in a series of battles. Despite the excitement of its inclusion in the Olympics, breaking has already been dropped from the Los Angeles 2028 programme, leaving its future uncertain.
The sport, which combines urban dance with acrobatic moves to the beats of hip-hop music, captivated the audience in Paris, including rapper Snoop Dogg. The first contest of the day featured a moving performance by Afghan competitor Talash, who left Taliban-controlled Afghanistan to dance wearing a cape with “Free Afghan Women” printed on it.
Breaking originated in the Bronx in the 1970s as part of hip-hop culture and has now made its way to the grand setting of Paris’s Place de la Concorde. B-Girls from diverse countries like Japan, Lithuania, and Australia showcased their skills in the women’s event, with the men’s competition set to take place the following day.
Australian B-Girl Rachel “Raygun” Gunn expressed disappointment at the decision to drop breaking from the 2028 programme, calling it premature. Despite the uncertainty surrounding its future in the Olympics, B-Girls like Italian Antilai Sandrini, known as Anti, expressed their excitement and gratitude at being part of history.
The competition featured battles where B-Girls took turns to showcase their moves, with judges determining the winners. The event was accompanied by a DJ playing hip-hop tunes and MCs hyping up the crowd. Breaking may have just made a cameo at the Olympics, but its impact and influence on the global stage were undeniable.
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