Ami Yuasa of Japan Wins First Olympic Breaking Gold Medal

PARIS — Japan’s b-girl Ami dazzled at the Olympics’ inaugural breaking event, securing the gold medal with her impressive spins, flips, and toprocking, showcasing her skills in a field of 16 dancers on Friday. The high-energy competition was held at Place de la Concorde stadium, highlighting hip-hop culture on an Olympic platform.

Ami, whose real name is Ami Yuasa, clinched the gold by dominating all three rounds against b-girl Nicka (Dominika Banevič) from Lithuania. This triumph wrapped up a long, exciting day of breakers exhibiting their flow, rhythm, and prowess. Yuasa expressed her thoughts, stating, “Breaking is my expression. It’s an art, and I want to say that breaking also could be part of sports.”

The event featured b-girls showcasing power moves such as headspins, windmills, and backflips. Fans remained enthusiastic from the afternoon until the competition concluded just before 10 p.m.

Starting from the quarterfinals, eight b-girls from the original 17 went head-to-head in three-round knockout battles to reach the finals. Banevič claimed the silver medal, and China’s b-girl 671 (Liu Qingyi) secured the bronze after a showdown with b-girl India (India Sardjo) from the Netherlands to the tune “Boom!” by The Roots. Liu is relatively new to the breaking scene.

Banevič expressed her excitement about breaking’s inclusion in the Olympics, saying, “Olympics needed breaking because it’s like a breath of fresh air. A lot of people saw breaking for the first time, and I’m happy I could represent at the highest level of the art form.”

However, it was a disappointing day for American b-girls. Both b-girl Logistx (Logan Edra) and b-girl Sunny (Sunny Choi), who are ranked in the top 12 internationally, were eliminated in the first round, failing to make it to the quarterfinals. Reflecting on the experience, Logistx remarked, “I feel like I still shined and represented the dance. It was such a big opportunity, and I’m happy that we’re here.”

The breaking event was judged by a panel of nine judges, all experienced b-boys and b-girls, using the Trivium judging system. The breakers were evaluated on technique, vocabulary, execution, musicality, and originality, each accounting for 20% of the final score.

Each performance began with “toprocking,” where the dancers initiated their moves on their feet before transitioning to intricate footwork on the floor. The soundtrack for their routines was a surprise, with two DJs spinning records live behind the judges’ panel.

The judging setup featured a circular floor designed to resemble a record and a massive boombox replica, symbolizing the breakbeat roots of breaking. The unique moment when a song’s vocals drop and the DJ loops the beat, known as the breakbeat, allows dancers to shine on the floor.

Breaking’s evaluation incorporates the art form’s qualitative essence, using a sliding scale to score each round and battle. Judges adjust the scale based on the performer’s dominance in the specific criteria. Throughout the event, two emcees energized the crowd, responding to the dancers’ personalities and signature moves.

Organizers faced the challenge of bringing breaking and hip-hop culture to a broader audience, including skeptical viewers. By the end of Friday’s intense rounds, the athleticism and physicality of breaking were undeniable.

Beyond technical abilities, competitors needed to highlight their style and individuality, which are central to hip-hop and breaking culture.

In total, 33 breakers from 15 countries and the Refugee Olympic Team marked a historic moment on Friday. On Saturday, the b-boys are set to compete, potentially for the only time at the Olympics, as breaking is not included in the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Before the battle commenced, American rapper Snoop Dogg made a grand entrance to “Drop it Like it’s Hot,” eliciting cheers and dancing from the crowd. The emcees introduced the 17 b-girls, with competitors from France and the U.S. receiving the loudest applause.

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