Two and a half years before the Games, breaking, a surprise guest in 2024, is gradually entering the mold of the Olympic movement with official championships.

Saturday, the Worlds were held for the second time in history and it was Bgirl (name given to breaking dancers) Ayumi (JPN) who dominated the competition while on the men's side, Bboy Victor (USA) outclassed all his opponents.

The American Bboy Victor, during a duel, on December 4, 2021 at the Théâtre du Châtelet, during the breaking Worlds Anne-Christine POUJOULAT AFP

After qualifying phases involving more than 200 competitors, the finals took place in the evening in front of a packed house: 1,600 spectators excited and carried away by the acrobatic performances of the dancers and the loud music.

Although now official, the World Championships have remained true to the essence of hip hop culture, of which breaking, which is a dance on the floor, is one of the branches.

The competition took place in the form of a battle, a duel between two dancers, which is played on a cypher (central stage).

The battles were led as usual by two Masters of Ceremonies (MCs).

MC Maleek, a large leopard t-shirt, and Amjad, a bright purple cowboy hat and jacket, were the 'Mister Loyal' of the evening.

The Japanese Bgirl Ayumi, during a duel, on December 4, 2021 at the Théâtre du Châtelet, during the breaking Worlds Anne-Christine POUJOULAT AFP

Dynamic and unifying

Under the gaze of Jean-Philippe Gatien, director of sports for Paris 2024, of the president of the French Olympic Committee (CNOSF) Brigitte Henriques - "dance fan", according to the president of the French dance federation Charles Ferreira -, the dancers clashed by launching movements to the sounds of the 'beats' produced by the two DJs of this Saturday evening, One Up and Nobunaga.

Eleven judges officiated to designate the best in an overheated atmosphere.

The Japanese Bgirl Ami, during a duel, December 4, 2021 at the Théâtre du Châtelet, during the breaking Worlds Anne-Christine POUJOULAT AFP

Erika and her 12-year-old son, Tom, had never set foot in the Théâtre du Châtelet before.

They enjoyed the sports show delivered by the world of breaking, which they attended for the first time.

"I'm fond of all that but until then I couldn't find it. I learned two days ago that it was taking place and I wanted to give this gift to my son who does hip hop", tells the 'AFP this Ile-de-France, who discovered by reading the evening's program that breaking would be Olympic in 2024.

"I would love to do the Olympics!", Launches the son, believing that breaking is "a dynamic sport which can bring together many communities".

Frenchman Danny Dan also hopes to make the Games.

The 33-year-old Guyanese is the only Frenchman to have reached the quarter-finals of the World Championships.

The French Bboy Danny Dan, during a duel, on December 4, 2021 at the Théâtre du Châtelet, during the breaking Worlds Anne-Christine POUJOULAT AFP

“The Olympics give hip hop culture a boost. It's art, it's sport, it deserves its place at the Olympic Games. 'a Teddy Riner is a real challenge,' he said happily.

© 2021 AFP