The finals of the "All Japan Breaking Championships" to determine Japan's number one in breaking, a new sport for next year's Paris Olympics, were held, and Shigeyuki Nakarai, whose dancer name is Shigekix, won the men's championship for the third consecutive time, and the women's 39-year-old AYUMI and Ayumi Fukushima. Athletes have won two titles in a row.


(Comments from the first to third place men and women are also posted)

Breaking is a one-on-one competition that alternates dancing to music played by a DJ, and will be held for the first time at next year's Paris Olympics.



At this year's All Japan Championship, the judges evaluated three items: technique, expression, and originality, and the winner was decided.



Among them, the men's match was between Shigekix and last year's 3rd place SHADE, Shuhei Okada.



While SHADE performed a series of highly original techniques, Shigekix performed a unique "Freeze" from a rotating "Power Move" to stop the body, and performed a skillful dance to the music. .



Shigekix, who showed a lively dance until the end, won the tournament for the third time in a row, demonstrating the power of Japan's world-class ace.

On the other hand, the women's final was between AYUMI, AMI, and Ami Yuasa, who have won the world championships.



In contrast to AMI's sharp movements and characteristic flowing dance, AYUMI countered with "footwork" showing fine footwork.



AYUMI, who captivated the audience with her original technique, won the battle between the talented players and won the tournament for the second time in a row.

Shigekix "I think I've become stronger again"

Shigekix, who won the tournament for the third time in a row, said, "After this experience, I think I've become stronger again. I felt the pressure, and the other dancers were of a high level, but I told myself, 'I have no choice but to win.' I was in the mood for the final and had the most fun dancing.I want to push forward with all my might for the Paris Olympics, but I hope to become a symbol of breaking both in terms of the Olympics and culture.”

AYUMI "I'm only thinking about doing my best"

39-year-old AYUMI, who won the tournament for the second time in a row, said, “I am really happy. I used to be afraid of things not going well, but recently I was able to overcome that, and all I could think about was ``Let's do it all.'' Breaking is a wonderful culture and sport, so I wanted many people to know about it and support it. I am happy to receive it," he said.

2nd place men's SHADE "I was able to dance comfortably"

Shuhei Okada, a 33-year-old dancer with the name SHADE, who came in second, said, "I'm glad that I was able to move up one place from the 3rd place in the previous tournament. I feel that I was able to refine what I had prepared. I feel that I've been able to give dreams to the local children.I've been involved in breaking for a long time, and I've experienced a lot of things, so I'm able to express myself today. I was able to dance," he said.

Men's 3rd place NORI "It was frustrating"

3rd place NORI, 36-year-old Noritoshi Kikuchi, said, "It was frustrating for my first All Japan Championships. Since it became an Olympic event, I've never had so much media attention before, and breaking was evaluated based on points. I think there are a lot of people who feel out of place.I came to this tournament because I thought it would be an opportunity for those who have that sense of incongruity to take on the challenge.”

Women's 2nd place AMI "I was able to do everything I wanted to do"

2nd runner-up, Ami Yuasa, whose dancer name is AMI, said, “I was able to do everything I wanted to do, and I was able to give it my all. Rather than focusing on the results, I would like to connect what I felt during the last two days, and what I can only feel when I am on stage, to the next stage.”

Women's 3rd place AYANE "I'm happy to hold out"

AYANE Nakarai, who finished third, said, "Although we lost in the semi-finals, I've been frustrated that I haven't been able to stand on the podium for the past few years, so I'm happy that I was able to hold out one step further in the 3rd place playoff. I don't have any, so I hope I can convey the fun of it.There are things I have to reflect on, so I want to do my best to be a competitive dancer."