2023 WDSF African Breaking Championship 16/05/2023

It was a weekend of firsts in Rabat, Morocco.

The first WDSF Breaking Continental Championships ever held in Africa ended in dramatic fashion with B-Girl El Mamouny (MOR) and B-Boy Billy (MOR) claiming gold in their respective finals – the first African champions in WDSF Breaking history.

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Just as significantly, by winning the African Championships Elmanouny and Billy also booked their tickets to Paris 2024, where Breaking will make its Olympic debut next year.

“It’s super, super, super crazy to win this,” said Elmanouny, a 23-year-old from the Moroccan capital. “For me it was so hard because my dad was in the hospital and to battle at this time was very hard. But I wanted to do it for him and I did it for him.”

B-boy Billy added: “I won the battle for Africa and it was a good feeling, a good fight, good energy. The crowd was so hot. I’m going to represent Morocco at next year’s Olympic Games in Paris, France, so let’s do something hot!”

The African Championships were open to an unlimited number of participants from each country. In total, 58 Breakers took part in the Championships, billed as one of the most important Breaking events ever staged in Africa. The competition was officiated by nine international judges, including Kaweesi Mark from Uganda and Vee from South Africa.

It was certainly an unforgettable weekend for all in attendance, who in addition to the WDSF Breaking Continental Championships, were also treated to a wide range of cultural and educational activities during an Urban Arts Days festival put on by the local organizers.

The atmosphere inside the venue was outstanding, with the Breakers feeding off the energy of the vocal and appreciative crowd, which included President of the National Olympic Committee of Morocco, Mr. Faiçal Rachid Laraichi. 

“The African Championships were a tremendous success this weekend in Rabat,” said WDSF President Shawn Tay. “First of all, I would like to congratulate Elmanouny and Billy on becoming the first WDSF African Breaking champions and for also becoming our first Olympians from Africa.

“I want to also express my gratitude to the hosts of the event, the Royal Moroccan Federation of Aerobic Sports, Fitness, Hip Hop and Assimilated Disciplines (FRMSAFH) and their President, Selma Bennani. The FRMSAFH delivered an excellent event of the highest quality – and with exceptional hospitality – and must be commended for a job very well done. We are delighted with the capabilities of our Moroccan National Member Body and we expect even greater things from them in the future.”

On Friday, President Bennani became the first woman to be a member of the Executive Committee of the National Olympic Committee of Morocco, a move that reflects both the growing stature of DanceSport among the country’s 27 national sporting bodies.

For the full list of results from Rabat, click here: B-Girls. B-Boys.

Next up on the WDSF competition calendar is a Breaking For Gold World Series event in Montpellier, France, from 17-18 May.