BREAKING BRIEFS: Featuring Sunny (USA)

America’s own Sunny will be making her very first trip to China this 23 June to compete against upwards of 60 other b-girls at the 2019 WDSF World Breaking Championship in Nanjing. 

The Tennessee-born, New York City resident doesn’t seem too worried about the trip, however, having competed against a number of the other dancers elsewhere during her 11-year career as a b-girl. 

“I’m looking forward to seeing old friends and sharing the dance floor with new people,” she says about the Championship. 

That attitude should hold her in good stead with some of the world’s leading b-girls set to compete this weekend. But with consistently strong showings at Red Bull BC One World Finals, the Silverback Open, and Outbreak Europe events, b-girl Sunny is definitely one to keep an eye on this week in Nanjing! 

Q: What are you most looking forward to about the 2019 WDSF World Breaking Championship?
A: I’m looking forward to seeing old friends and sharing the dance floor with new people. 

Q: Have you ever been to China/Nanjing? 
A: No, I have not ever been to China!

Q: Do you have any new techniques ready for Nanjing?
A: Not really. I’ve had a few injuries and I’ve been working a lot so I’m just training as usual and hoping for the best.

Q: Is there anybody competing in Nanjing that you would really like to battle and, if so, why?
A: I don’t know some of the women battling so it’s hard to say! I’m sure there will be new faces and new talent. I’m excited to see what’s in store for us.

Q: What is your greatest strength/best move as a b-girl?
A: I’m not sure that any one of us have just one best move or strength. I think I’m fairly well-rounded in that I dance and have power but I’m not the only one at this competition that can say that. At higher levels, many of the women are well-rounded, some better at some things and others at others. 

Q: What advice do you have for young breakers just starting out?
A: Have fun and be you when you dance. Yes, there’s foundation to this dance so keep that in mind but explore and find your own way of dancing and expressing yourself. Don’t look to others for inspiration but take the time to discover who you are as a dancer. And when you have the opportunity, travel and learn about other cultures. It’ll help you in dance and in life!

Q: Who inspired you as a young breaker?
A: A lot of the dancers around me in Philadelphia were my inspirations. I was never one to watch footage online but just learn from the people I saw at practice and at battles.

Q: Do you have a favorite song/ artist to break to?
A: I generally like to dance to rap but don’t have a favorite artist or song to dance to. That changes based on my mood from day to day.

Q: What one word best describes your style?
A: Happy. I smile when I dance and I like to have fun. I think you can sense it when you watch. 

Q: What is your favorite place to compete?
A: I don’t think I have a favorite place to compete, but I generally prefer smaller, more intimate events with good music and lots of dancing/cyphering.  

Q: Who’s been your toughest competitor and why?
A: This is probably the most cliché answer I can give but the toughest competitor out there is myself. I’m always battling time, expectations, physical conditions, my shyness, my mood, or whatever else is on my mind from day to day. I’m usually really tough on myself so I’m working on letting go of that control, trusting myself, and just being happy with what happens. I’m getting better at it but still struggling, especially on big stages at larger events. We’ll see how this one goes!