Toulouse teenagers crowned world champions
They are between 12 and 16 years old and they are already dancing in the big leagues. On December 3, ten Toulouse teenagers were crowned world breakdance champions in Japan.
They are impressive. Physically, they manage to propel themselves on the ground, to get up, and to wiggle their hips. Artistically, they link the movements in symbiosis with the music. At the Colomiers gymnasium, breakdancing is kingand we would almost plunge back into the New York of the 80s.
This retro slap, on the must to 10 teenagers from Toulouse. They are between 12 and 16 years old, and since December 3, 2022, they have been world champions in the discipline (after having faced as a team, twenty nations, in Japan).
“We don’t realize what is happening to us, we are so happy!”
says Jeanne, one of the dancers
But there is nothing vintage about this sport. In their own way, “the breakinkids” (the name of their group), are inspired by the codes of this dance and reclaim the universe with modernity.
“Some will reveal themselves through fluid movements on the ground, like the water of a river, others will catch your eye with spectacular physical performances”comment Abdel Chouari, their trainerduring one of their workouts.
If teenagers are still struggling to achieve the feat accomplished. Parents do not hesitate to express their joy. “We are so proud of them, yes you could say that I am his biggest fan”, says Olivier Valentin, Arthur’s father, one of the dancers. But this sport required a lot of sacrifices.
Each week, these enthusiasts juggle between college, homework, and seven hours of breakdance lessons. “We put aside a lot of family meals and birthdays, but it was worth it”confides moved Géraldine Texier, the mother of Valentine, member of the group.
In this video, dive behind the scenes of the training of champions with our report:
From the hip hop culture, this sport is a means of expression, of claim. It was propelled 40 years ago by African-American communities in the Bronx.
In France, the discipline now has almost 6000 licenses.
The dancers are called b-boy and b-girl. According to Abdel Chouari, his “b-kids” won the championship thanks to their good team cohesion, but the coach, himself a four-time world champion, adds:
What makes a good dancer is a mix between technique, artistry and originality. This requires a good musical listening, it is a very complementary discipline.
Abdel Chouari, trainer and four-time breakdance world champion
An announcement that shook the world of breakdancing is his entry into the Olympic race. Relegated since its appearance to culture “clandestinely”, this sport will now shine on the podiums of one of the most famous sports competitions in the world.
But supporters of breakdancing remain mixed about this change. Highlighting their passion is tempting, but “they fear that it is against the values of the discipline”, says Abdel Chouari. It finishes : “we already had our own competitions to confront each other”.
Last downside, the 2024 Olympics only open their doors to individual breakdance choreographies. Exit teamwork…