Breakdance is a variant of hip hop born in the 70s in the streets of the Bronx and is characterized by being an acrobatic dance, with skillful movements that require being in good physical shape, coordination and technique, competing in international tournaments since 1991 such as the “Battle of the Year”.
The first defenders of Breakdancing were young African Americans and Puerto Ricans who formed groups that competed in dance battles in the streets. These battles were a form of cultural and social expression, and dancers strove to showcase their talent and creativity.
Breakdancing quickly spread throughout the world, and in the 1980s it became a global phenomenon. Breakdancing groups began performing in clubs and festivals, and the dance became an important part of hip hop culture.
This dance, along with graffiti, deejaying (DJ) and rap, represents hip culture hop, achieving a great expansion starting in the 80s thanks to cinema, and the dissemination of films such as Beet Street, Flashdance, Breakdance and Electric Boogaloo.
In the 1990s, Breakdancing began to become professional. International competitions were created, and dancers began to train more rigorously, becoming a form of performing art.
Currently, different movements are distinguished such as Top Rock, performed while standing, they are usually used at the beginning of the performance, and include toprock steps along with hand and arm movements.
Other typical Breakdance movements are Go down is the movement used by the dancer to throw themselves to the ground from a standing position. It is normally a transition that should be as fluid as possible, avoiding sudden movements and without interrupting the rhythm of the dance. Foot work is called the movements that you make with your feet from the ground while resting your arms or hands on it.
Freeze is called the movements in which she freezes her body for a few seconds, usually marking a specific moment in the music. The powers movers are the most dynamic elements and encompass the movements in which she rotates her body using her hands, elbows, shoulders, head or back.
On the occasion of the Paris Olympic Games, which will be held in 2024, the Olympic Committee included this discipline as a guest along with climbing, surfing and skateboarding, with the aim of giving the event a younger and more dynamic sense, more urban and artistic, explained the president of the Paris 2024 Organization
Breakdancing debuted as an Olympic sport at the 2018 Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games, with two individual events, one for men and one for women. In Olympic breakdancing competitions, participants face off in 1-on-1 dance battles. Dancers compete over a 2-minute period, and the winner is the one who receives the highest score from the judges.
The Olympic breakdance score is based on the technique referring to the precision and execution of the movements, originality rewarding creativity, and energy contrasted by the strength, emotion and intensity of the dance. However, judges can also take into account factors such as connection to music, stage presence and the ability to entertain the audience.
Olympic breakdancing is an exciting and dynamic competition, combining dance, athletics and cultural expression. It is an opportunity for the best dancers in the world to show their talent and passion for this art. Participants face off in a knockout format, where the winners of each battle advance to the next round, until a winner is determined.
The battles are carried out to random music that they do not know beforehand, having two minutes to express their best movements, being observed by the judges, located on an elevated panel from which to observe the participants from different angles.
Being a relatively new Olympic sport, it is possible that it will evolve in the coming years, incorporating new tests, in groups, teams, freestyle and even with the incorporation of dancers of different styles.
