Breaking Set for a Debut at World Urban Games 24/07/2019

In another exciting first for DanceSport, Breaking will feature on the programme for the inaugural edition of the World Urban Games (WUG) in Budapest this 13-15 September. 

The World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) is thrilled to be part of this innovative new project organised by the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), which will also feature 3x3 basketball, BMX freestyle, flying disc freestyle, parkour and roller freestyle. In addition, indoor rowing and laser run will be on the programme as showcase sports. 

The 1vs1 battles will take place over two days (Round Robin on 13 September and the knockout stage on 14 September), with 16 b-girls and 16 b-boys vying for a total purse of 100,000 USD – which will be split 50/50 as part of the WDSF’s commitment to gender equality in sport. 

“It is an honour for the WDSF to take part in the first edition of the World Urban Games, as we feel it is a natural extension of the success of Breaking at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires last year,” said WDSF President Shawn Tay. “It will be an excellent new platform for b-boys and b-girls to showcase their talent and we look forward to a highly entertaining, first-class event in Budapest.”

Twenty-four breakers qualified from the recent 2019 WDSF World Breaking Championship in Nanjing. The rest of the field will be rounded out by three b-boys and b-girls from the Outbreak Europe event in Slovakia this 24-28 July, while the final two places have been allotted to dancers from the host country.

As an indication of Breaking’s popularity around the world, b-boys and b-girls representing 18 countries (JPN, USA, GER, CHN, GBR, BEL, BUL, KOR, RUS, POL, HUN, NED, UKR, VEN, FRA, CAN, EGY, MEX) have already qualified for the Games. 

The WUG are designed to be the ultimate global showcase for urban sports, providing visitors with a rich mixture of sports, music and culture. The Games will also help to regenerate a part of southern Budapest that has been off limits to the public for many years: the site of the Great Market Hall, which first opened in 1932. The Hall will be used both as a competition venue and a concert hall and is situated next to the Danube River, which will provide the perfect backdrop for the Games. 

Easily accessible from the city centre, the area is located next to the National Theater, the Palace of Arts and Budapest Park, making it a great spot for families and local university students to take in all the action, which will include numerous demonstration events for all ages and abilities.

“The World Urban Games programme for Budapest 2019 presents a global stage for emerging disciplines, as well as an opportunity for world-class athletes to demonstrate their abilities and for people in urban areas to take a proactive role in sport,” said GAISF President Raffaele Chiulli. “I have no doubt that the Hungarian capital will be the perfect arena.

“GAISF is working closely with the local organising committee and with our International Federations to ensure that the World Urban Games Budapest 2019 will be an incredible event that inspires a new generation of fans.”