Ami of Japan performs on the fourteenth day of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, Friday, August 9, 2024. (Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images)
PARIS – Breaking made its Olympic debut on Friday in a highly anticipated, high-energy competition that culminated in the first medal being awarded to a breakdancer.
Japanese performer – or B-Girl, as breakdance performers are called – Ami Yuasa won the gold medal after three rounds, defeating B-Girl Nicka from Lithuania.
A total of 33 breakers from 15 countries and the Refugee Olympic Team took part in the women’s event on Friday. The two American B-girls Logistx and Sunni were eliminated in the first round.
Women’s Breaking Results
- Gold medal: Ami (Ami Yuasa) – Japan
- Silver medal: Nicka (Dominika Banevič) – Lithuania
- Bronze medal: 671 (Liu Qingyi) – China
What they say
“Breaking is my expression,” Ami said. It’s an “expression, an art, but I want to say that breaking could also be part of the sport.”
“The Olympics needed breakdancing because it’s a breath of fresh air,” said runner-up Nicka. “So many people have seen breakdancing for the first time, which is huge. And I’m glad I was able to represent the art form of breakdancing at the highest level.”
“I feel like I still shined and I still represented dance and had some moments,” said American Logan Edra, who performs as Logistx. “It was such a big opportunity, it’s such a big platform and I’m really glad we’re here.”
Early breakdance: “A genuinely American folk art”
From the streets of the Bronx to the Olympics in Paris, breakdancing has come a long way. In this full episode of LiveNOW & Then, we look back at breakdancing’s early successes on television and in movies.
How is the breaking assessed?
A panel of nine judges, all B-boys and B-girls from around the world, judged the breakers on technique, vocabulary, execution, musicality and originality. Each aspect contributes 20% to the final score.
Men’s breaking schedule
On Saturday, B-Boys will take the stage at the Place de la Concorde stadium starting at 10 a.m. ET.
