Breaking takes center stage in debut at 2024 Olympics

**Breaking Makes Historic Olympic Debut in Paris**

From the streets of the Boogie Down Bronx to the grand Place de la Concorde in Paris, breakdancing, also known as breaking, made its thrilling debut at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

**A Unique Atmosphere**

The competition was full of excitement, with trash-talking, cheering, and beatboxing creating an atmosphere unlike any other sport. The energy was so intense that the bleachers reportedly swayed as the crowd cheered on the competitors.

**A Journey Through Time**

The dancers showcased moves and styles rooted in the Bronx of the 1970s and '80s. However, these moves had traveled across the Atlantic, evolving and adapting to the rhythms of Paris, 3,600 miles away.

**B-Girls Steal the Show**

The B-girls competition kicked off with a bang on Friday, featuring none other than Snoop Dogg performing France’s traditional “banging of the brigadier,” where he struck a staff three times on the ground to start the event.

- **Sunny Choi** from Queens represented Team USA but did not advance past the round-robin stage. Despite this, her participation highlighted the significance of breaking’s presence in the Olympics.

- The competition concluded with Japan’s **Ami Yuasa** (known as "Ami") winning the first-ever Olympic gold medal in breaking. She outperformed Lithuania’s **Dominika Banevic** (known as "Nicka"), who took home the silver medal. China’s **Liu Qingyi** (known as "671") secured the bronze.

**A Pivotal Moment**

The inclusion of breaking in the 2024 Olympics was a historic moment, equating Ami’s gold medal with those of other Olympic legends like Noah Lyles and Simone Biles.

**Uncertain Future**

While breaking shone brightly in Paris, its future in the Olympics is uncertain. It is not currently included in the program for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Therefore, this event served not only as a competition but also as a tryout to showcase breaking’s potential as an Olympic sport.

**The Battle Format**

Competitors faced off in individual battles, moving from a round-robin stage to a knockout round. Nine judges scored the dancers on musicality, vocabulary, execution, technique, and originality. The dancers had to blend various styles, including top rocks, down rocks, power moves, and freezes, to music chosen by DJs from a 400-song playlist featuring 1970s funk and 1990s hip-hop.

**Ami's Triumph**

Japan’s Ami Yuasa stood out in the competition, claiming the gold medal and making history as the first Olympic champion in breaking. As Ami reflected, “It was such a big opportunity. It’s such a big platform, and I’m really happy that we’re here.”

**Highlight Summary**:

- **Ami Yuasa** (Japan) wins **gold**.

- **Nicka** (Lithuania) takes **silver**.

- **671** (China) earns **bronze**.

- **Sunny Choi** and **Logan Edra** from Team USA competed but didn’t advance past the round-robin stage.

- Breaking made a powerful Olympic debut, but its future in the Olympics remains uncertain.

Breaking, a unique mix of dance and sport, had its moment at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Afghanistan's Manizha Talash made a powerful statement by revealing a cape with the message "Free Afghan Women," which wowed the crowd. Australia’s Rachael Gunn, also known as "Raygun," stood out by wearing a simple Olympic sweatshirt and baseball cap, unlike the flashier outfits of others. Though she didn’t advance, she brought attention to the competition's diverse styles.

In the semifinals, China’s Liu Qingyi, known as 671, impressed by freezing on her head and clapping her feet in mid-air. The atmosphere was lively, with dancers cheering each other on and playfully teasing during breaks. After winning the gold medal, Ami Yuasa of Japan emphasized that breaking is not just a dance, but a form of art and sport. This Olympic debut of breaking was truly memorable, though it might not return in future games.

(Breaking takes center:https://nypost.com/2024/08/09/sports/breaking-takes-center-stage-in-rollicking-debut-at-2024-olympics/)