Breaking receives high praise at 1st World Urban Games
Breaking’s involvement at the first World Urban Games this past weekend in Budapest received glowing reviews across the board.
Spectators? Check.
Organisers? Ditto.
Judges? Loved it.
Media? Full marks as well.
Most importantly, the breakers were also stoked to have been involved.
“It was amazing. I loved the energy around me,” said eventual gold-medal winning b-boy Victor of the United States. “I loved the crowd. They were screaming for everybody, so it was really good energy.”
It was a sentiment echoed by France’s Lagaet, one of 16 elite b-boys who competed at the WUG along with the world’s 16 best b-girls.
“I felt really good here, the atmosphere was so dope,” he said. “We got to share with other people from other sports. For me this is a path, you know what I mean? Because we are trying to go to the Olympics.”
He stressed that the WUG was excellent preparation ahead of Breaking’s possible inclusion on the programme for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in that it helped the breakers get used to taking part in multi-sport events, multiple battle rounds and a new judging system.
“It’s not the end, we are just starting now,” he said. “We are trying this [event], then the next one, until we make it perfect for the Olympics.”
Breaking was provisionally included on the sports programme for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) this June. A final decision will be made in December 2020. If accepted, Breaking would be the first World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) discipline to appear at the Olympic Games, a logical next step after Breaking’s auspicious debut at the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018.
The inaugural edition of the World Urban Games, organised by the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), took place in the Hungarian capital from 13 to 15 September. The Breaking battles were all livestreamed on the Olympic Channel and breakingforgold.com, while the finals were broadcast live on Eurosport. A list of all the Breakers who competed at the first World Urban Games can be found here.
Victor beat WDSF World Breaking Champion Menno (NED) in the b-boy final, with Youth Olympic Games champion Bumblebee (RUS) picking up bronze.
On the women’s side, World Champion Ami (JPN) defeated Sunny (USA) in the b-girl final, while 16-year-old Logistx (USA) overcame Kate (UKR) to claim bronze.
“I had a really great time this whole event,” Logistx said of her time at the WUG. “I loved where the venue was. I loved how it was super hip hop with all the graffiti. I loved the energy from the crowd.”
She said the dancers got an extra boost of energy from the big and knowledgeable crowds that turned up on both competition days and also tipped her hat to MCs Amjad (SUI) and Rambo (HUN). “Props to both of the people on the mic, who were really cultivating the energy for us dancers cuz we really need that while we’re dancing,” she said.
Not to be left out, DJs Fleg (USA) and South Scream (UKR) and supporting drum and bass band The Kinkies (SUI) also got a sizeable pat on the back.
“The music helped me a lot,” said b-girl Ami on her gold-medal winning run. “The DJs and the live band were great and I enjoyed every bit of the competition.”
The WDSF was proud to be a part of the inaugural edition of the World Urban Games, which also featured BMX Freestyle, Roller Freestyle, Parkour, 3X3 Basketball and Flying Disc Freestyle. Indoor rowing and laser run were included as showcase sports.
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