The Châtelet theater, very close to which thirty years ago the world of breaking was formed during gatherings in the street, welcomes the Bboys and Bgirls (name given to practitioners of breaking) for a competition which must leave its mark on sport. , two and a half years from the Olympic deadline.

"I can not wait to be on Saturday, I know that these World Championships are expected, by the size of the event. In terms of the public, there will be a good return, it will be super cool for us, for give even more. It boosts you when the public returns your energy to you, you send things that you did not even think to send! ", rejoices to AFP the French Bgirl Carlotta, who had taken part in the Olympic Games of the youth in 2018, where breaking definitely convinced the International Olympic Committee.

Since then, breaking - a dance on the floor - has joined the International Dance Federation (WDSF) and these are the second Worlds organized after a first edition in China in 2019.

Like skateboarding, the breaking community has its private circuit of competitions, all very prestigious, such as the Battle of the year, the Battle Pro - which takes place on Sunday at Châtelet - or the Red Bull BC One, considered the world championship for 17 years, and which was held a month ago.

One against one

"For me it's the same world, the base is the same, the music, the DJs are the same, the stage is the same. And it's still 'one against one'," said AFP the French Bboy Dani Dan, who will have the status of high level athlete in January and for whom the Olympics are "seasoning".

"The culture we keep, it's just the federal side that comes into play. Take a license, have a sports coach, the athletic side. We did not prepare the same before", notes the one who won the Battle of the year 2018.

Austrian breakdancer Fouad Ambelj, aka Lil Zoo, stands out during a "battle" in Mumbai, November 9, 2019 Lionel BONAVENTURE AFP / Archives

The breaking is a confrontation between two dancers (one against one), called the battle, on a cypher (a circular stage), around which the dancers and the public position themselves to encourage.

The duel works like a question-answer, where the dancers launch acrobatic figures punctuated by the sounds of a DJ.

All ignited by an MC (a master of ceremonies).

At the end of the battle, jurors designate the winner.

Quid 2028

All the ingredients that make breaking a real sports show will be present in Paris, at the Worlds and at the Olympics.

The only exception concerns the judgment.

In the private circuit, the vote is done by show of hands or by showing a card with the name of the dancer.

The WDSF has opted for an electronic system, with a slider that the judge moves up or down according to his appreciation.

A note then appears on the screen.

The WDSF and the French Dance Federation are playing big with these World Championships while they barely structure the discipline.

They know they are "expected from everywhere", as the president of the French body, Charles Ferreira, warned AFP.

At the start of 2022, the additional sports selected for the Olympics-2028 will be unveiled.

The breaking might not continue on the Olympic path.

The Austrian Fouad Ambelj ("Lil Zoo"), author of spectacular figures during the breakdance championship in Mumbai, November 10, 2019 Lionel BONAVENTURE AFP / Archives

“The station wagon has nothing to prove. It's a new and rich discipline. We see the sporting, artistic part, we see the impressive movement, this spirit of challenge and confrontation. a sport in the end ", defends Carlotta.

© 2021 AFP