B-Girl India and B-Boy Dany qualify for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at the European Games

B-Girl India from the Netherlands and b-Boy Dany from France became Breaking’s first ever european Olympians when they qualified for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 by winning their respective brackets at the 2023 European Games in Poland.

Breaking made its groundbreaking debut at the continental European Games this week with two days of competition on 26 and 27 June. The highly anticipated event brought together the leading Breakers (16 B-Boys and 16 B-Girls) from across Europe, who captivated audiences with their incredible skills, creativity, and raw energy.

The competition was especially fierce among the B-Boys, with an exhilarating gold-medal clash between Dany and Dutch phenom Menno. Both competitors left no stone unturned, demonstrating exceptional techniques, musicality, and creativity. Dany eventually emerged as the victor in what was an extremely tight contest, etching his name in Breaking history in the process. The battle for third place was equally intense, with Lil Zoo from Austria triumphing over the Netherlands’ Lee to secure his position as one of the top Olympic contenders.

The depth of talent among Europe’s B-Girls was also clear for all to see at these Games, with 17-year-old India rising to the occasion with a mesmerizing performance that captured the hearts of the spectators and votes of the judges. In a thrilling final, she triumphed over B-Girl Stefani of the Ukraine, securing the coveted Paris 2024 berth and leaving a lasting impact on the European Games with her style and flair.

“To know I have a straight ticket to the Olympics is crazy to believe,” India was quoted as saying. “It is the first time Breaking is in the Olympics. It is a great opportunity for Breaking.

“When I won, I was crying, because I was so happy. Before the final I almost cried because I had so many emotions. A lot of people do not know how intense it is. It is a sport but it also a culture, it is an art form. It is so beautiful to have that at the Olympics and people can enjoy what we all enjoy.”

The battle for bronze was equally captivating. B-Girl Nicka from Lithuania showcased her exceptional skills and determination, ultimately prevailing against b-Girl Anti from Italy. Nicka’s third-place finish highlighted her exceptional talents and places her among the elite in the Breaking community.

The battles took place in front of a packed crowd in Strzelecki Park in Nowy Sacz – an incredible atmosphere that added to the excitement and energy of the competition.

“The success of Breaking at the European Games signifies a bright future for the sport,” said WDSF President Shawn Tay. “Its inclusion in prestigious multi-sport events elevates its status and solidifies its position as a captivating and competitive discipline. This historic event served as a catalyst for the growth and development of Breaking in Europe, inspiring dancers and igniting a passion for the sport.”

President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) Spyros Capralos, meanwhile, also highlighted the significance of the Breaking’s first appearance at the continental event.

“Congratulations to both the athletes for fulfilling their dreams and also to the World DanceSport Federation as the first qualifiers for Paris 2024 are confirmed here in Poland,” he said. “It is an honour for the European Games to be a part of Olympic Games history just eight years after our first edition in Baku in 2015. Breaking is a new and exciting sport for the Games and we saw the reaction of the crowd to the performances from the athletes in the finals – I am sure it will be a popular event in Paris.”

Breaking first burst onto the Olympic scene with an unforgettable debut at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires in 2018. It was soon added to the sports programme of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, with battles scheduled to take place on 9 and 10 August next year on the historic Place de la Concorde in the heart of the city.

Next up on the qualification journey for Paris 2024 is the first WDSF Asian Breaking Championships in Hangzhou, China from 1-2 July. The competition is set to feature upwards of 200 of the best Breakers from around the region.

See the official results from the European Games for B-Boys and B-Girls

Re-live the event on the official European Games streeaming site.

The WDSF was on site and posted on Instagram.

Published on 29 June 2023