Brisbane Moves to the Beat as the World Breaking DanceSport Festival Lands in Australia
Brisbane, Australia – 17 January 2026. The inaugural Brisbane World Breaking DanceSport Festival opened in spectacular fashion today at a sold-out Brisbane City Hall, marking a historic moment for Breaking in Australia. From the early hours of the morning, anticipation and excitement filled the venue, as a passionate crowd gathered to witness elite athletes from more than 34 nations compete on one of Breaking’s newest global stages.
Positioned on the pathway towards the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Festival’s first day delivered high-level competition, powerful performances, and an atmosphere charged with emotion, creativity, and sporting excellence. As the day unfolded, the energy inside the iconic City Hall intensified, culminating in unforgettable final battles across three WDSF Breaking for Gold World Series categories.
The finals concluded with a powerful address from WDSF President Shawn Tay, who referenced the collective call for Brisbane 2032, stating that Breaking’s future on the Olympic stage is “not a maybe, but a may”.
A Ceremony Setting the Tone
As the competition approached its decisive stages, emotions ran high throughout the venue. The Opening Ceremony marked a defining moment of the day, as the flag of the World DanceSport Federation was proudly raised beneath the dome of Brisbane City Hall. A dynamic hip-hop performance and a judges’ showcase brought the audience to its feet, signalling that the final battles were about to begin.
The afternoon programme was further elevated by the presence of representatives from the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Organising Committee and Adrian Schrinner, Lord Mayor of Brisbane. In his address, the Lord Mayor highlighted that in nearly 100 years of Brisbane City Hall’s history, the venue had never hosted an experience quite like Breaking, underscoring the uniqueness of the discipline and its powerful connection with the city. Their attendance reinforced the growing call for Breaking’s return to the Olympic Games in 2032, a message echoed throughout the day by athletes, officials, and spectators alike.
Competition Highlights and Key Results, Saturday 17th of January
Breaking 1 vs 1 B-Boys Adult: Precision, Power and Unstoppable Momentum
The B-Boys competition delivered an electrifying display of athleticism and creativity, captivating the audience from the earliest rounds through to the finals. Australian representatives, among we can find B-Boys Benmx and J Attack, received strong support from the home crowd, showcasing precision, musicality and confidence that underlined Breaking’s strong foundations and future in Australia.
As the competition reached its decisive moments, the final stages showcased remarkable sportsmanship, with each athlete pushing the boundaries of performance. Consistency, musical interpretation and technical execution ultimately shaped a podium defined by world-class credentials. B-Boy Monkey Z (Wang Ruimiao) claimed the gold, adding this victory to an already impressive record that includes a World Championships podium finish and multiple top results across Continental Championships, like Shanghai last year and World Series events.
Hiro10 (Hiroto Ono) secured second place, extending a career highlighted by repeated World Championships podiums and strong performances across Olympic-level competitions. The venue erupted during the performances of the athlete, whose explosive power moves and gravity-defying sequences turned the floor of Brisbane City Hall into a stage of pure spectacle. A proven presence on the sport’s biggest stages, including World Championships, The World Games, Olympic Qualifier Series and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Hiro10 once again demonstrated the experience and competitive maturity that have made him a consistent finalist across the international circuit.
Completing the podium, B-Boy Tsukki (Tsuki Ilnuma) confirmed his steady rise on the international scene. A former Youth World Championships finalist and now a regular presence in Adult World Series and World Championships, Tsukki has shown a rare ability to translate his success at youth level into the senior elite, steadily accumulating strong results across Asia and global competitions as he continues to establish himself among the world’s top B-Boys.
Breaking 1 vs 1 B-Girls Adult: Youthful Brilliance Meets Elite Experience
The B-Girls category produced some of the most captivating moments of the day, seamlessly combining grace, explosive athleticism, and strategic intelligence. The podium reflected both the consistency and the extraordinary talent within the discipline.
At just 17 years of age, B-Girl Royal, the girl who aimed to transform movement into light, shined once again demonstrated why she is considered one of Breaking’s most compelling talents. Her performances at Brisbane City Hall radiated both artistic maturity and technical precision, embodying the delicate balance between power and elegance. Already holding the top spot in both youth and adult rankings, Royal has an extraordinary track record: first-place finishes at the World Championships in Fukuoka and Porto, victories at The World Games in Chengdu, and multiple Continental Championship titles underscore her dominance and resilience on the global stage. In Brisbane, she maintained this standard, combining athletic brilliance with the poise of a seasoned champion.
B-Girl Riko secured a hard-fought silver, delivering dynamic performances that blended creativity with tactical acuity. Her journey to the podium in Brisbane was a testament to her growing consistency at the highest level. With notable achievements including top-five finishes at the World Championships and The World Games, as well as victories in the BfG Challenge and World Series events, Riko has steadily cemented her reputation as a formidable competitor. Her style in Brisbane highlighted both precision and adaptability, reflecting the depth of her experience and her capacity to rise to the occasion in high-stakes battles.
Claiming bronze, B-Girl Cocoa impressed with sharp, incisive movements and exceptional control. Her decisive battle against the Olympic medallist B-Girl671 showcased not only her technical skill but also her competitive resilience. Cocoa’s previous results, including podium finishes at the Continental Championships and BfG events, demonstrate a steady trajectory of growth and achievement. In Brisbane, she translated this experience into a confident and compelling performance, affirming her place among the world’s leading B-Girls.
Overall, the Brisbane podium reflected a mix of established dominance, rising talent, and tenacity under pressure. Royal’s continued supremacy, Riko’s tactical brilliance, and Cocoa’s precise execution illustrated the depth of skill and commitment defining contemporary Breaking.
You can check all the results here.
Breaking Team 3 vs 3 Mixed: Unity, Creativity and the Spirit of the Future
The Team 3 vs 3 Mixed category delivered moments of creativity, coordination, and pure joy, highlighting the collective essence of Breaking culture. Team China stood out for their exceptional synchronicity and tactical cohesion, setting a benchmark throughout the rounds, securing the gold spot.
One of the most memorable highlights of the day came from Team Quite Boom, whose originality and infectious energy captivated the audience. At just ten years old, B-Girl Kitty, recognisable by her red ribbons, embodied the importance of investing in young athletes and future generations. Her performance, alongside her teammates, brought the auditorium to its feet and will remain one of the defining images of Day 1.
WDSF also extends its best wishes to Lithe-ing, who sustained an injury during the competition, wishing him a full and speedy recovery.
You can check all the results here. 
A Powerful Opening Day
The first day of the Brisbane World Breaking DanceSport Festival set a high bar, showcasing top-tier performances, moments full of emotion, and an audience completely absorbed in the energy of Breaking. With elite athletes, rising stars, and a city embracing the discipline with open arms, Brisbane proved itself a fitting stage for the global Breaking community.
As the Festival continues into its second day, the excitement shows no signs of abating. Tomorrow promises an intensely competitive programme as the Youth categories take centre stage, where the brightest young talent in the Breaking community will battle not only for medals but also crucial ranking points ahead of the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar 2026. The energy, skill, and ambition of these emerging stars are set to deliver a day of extraordinary performances and unforgettable moments.
Photos by Janna Imperial
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