History is written in Chengdu – Breaking Crowns Its Champions at TWG2025

After the intensity of the round robin battles, all roads led to the grand showdown on Sunday, August 17. The Chengbei Gymnasium was once again packed, buzzing with energy, and ready to witness history. Every seat, every cheer, every beat of the music carried the anticipation of crowning the new World Games champions in DanceSport Breaking.
all athletes twg2025 finals

The B-Girls Top 8 offered a line-up of dream matchups: Nicka vs India, a clash between two of Europe’s top names; Ayumi vs 671, pitting the Japanese veteran against the Chinese star; the Italian fire of Anti against the unstoppable promise of Royal; and Syssy vs Riko, a highly awaited rematch. Their rivalry had already sparked in September 2024 in Wuxi at what was the first WDSF World Championship Breaking Youth, where Syssy prevailed 3–0, only for Riko to return months later at the 2025 WDSF World Championship—here in Chengdu—defeating the French B-Girl in the quarterfinals. This third encounter promised nothing less than an epic decider.

On the B-Boys’ side, the stage was set for equal intensity. WDSF World Champion Issin faced off against Ukraine’s pride Kuzya, while the explosive Frenchman Killian challenged global superstar Shigekix. On the other half of the bracket, Chinese sensation X-Rain met Japan’s viral showman Hiro10 in what was sure to be a battle of fireworks, before the final quarter paired Wing with Lithe-Ing, the local powerhouse whose every entrance on the floor sent the Chengbei crowd into roars.

Everything was in place for a legendary evening of battles—the kind of event that defines not just a competition, but an entire era in DanceSport Breaking.

Faceoffs for Day 2 – B-Girls & B-Boys

B-Girls – Royal Becomes Queen in Chengdu

The quarterfinals set the tone for a day full of drama and emotion. Nicka opened with a 3–0 against India—a result that looked dominant on paper, though the judges’ close scores reflected the intensity of every exchange, ending the Dutch World Champion’s hopes of reclaiming Gold in Chengdu. Next, Ayumi faced off against the local hero 671, who was immediately lifted by chants of support from the home crowd. The battle ended 3–0 for the 18-year-old Chinese star, and the Chengbei Gymnasium erupted in joy. Italy’s Anti then met an unstoppable Royal, who swept through with a commanding 3–0, winning every single vote. The quarterfinals closed with the long-awaited tiebreaker between Syssy and Riko. After splitting the first two rounds with razor-thin 4–5 scores, the decisive third round went 7–2 for Syssy, sealing her spot in the semifinals.

The semifinals brought the real fireworks. Nicka vs 671 was a rematch of last December’s World Championship semifinal, and history repeated itself with another 2–1 win for the Chinese B-Girl. The victory sparked jubilant scenes: volunteers from the Local Organising Committee rushed courtside, and what began with a few voices of encouragement soon grew into over twenty people chanting and cheering for 671—a testament not only to national pride but to the sheer passion Breaking inspires.

On the other side, Syssy vs Royal delivered an energetic clash. Despite mutual respect, both clearly wanted it all. One highlight came when, after Syssy’s headspins left her hat on the floor, Royal cheekily began her round dancing on top of it, to the delight of the crowd. Syssy answered with an explosive backflip in her third round, but when the scoreboard revealed a 3–0 for Royal—with only one judge siding with Syssy in the final round—the arena went wild. Chengdu knew it would see a dream final: its two brightest stars head-to-head.
syssy vs nicka bronze battle twg2025

Before the grand finale, the Bronze battle saw Syssy and Nicka put on a performance that embodied the beauty of Breaking. In the decisive third round, to the beat of Clutch by Fusik, both raised their fists, vibing together, exchanging encouragement and gestures of respect—two rivals sharing the joy of the moment. Nicka edged the win and took Bronze, adding another Medal to her illustrious career.

Then came the final showdown. On one side, 16-year-old Royal, poised to confirm her status as a legend in the making. On the other, 671, Olympic Medalist, local star, and still only 18, determined to prove she was the rightful queen of Chengdu after missing out on Gold at the 2024 WDSF World Championship and the 2025 WDSF Asian Championship earlier in the year.

The final was pure Breaking conversation. Royal opened to the sound of Beggin’ by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, interpreting the lyrics with playful gestures—miming a baby as the line “Put your loving hand out, baby” echoed through the hall, cheekily pointing at 671. The Chinese star answered with her trademark headspins, drilling into the floor before closing with the classic gesture of “I smoked you”—a symbolic move in Breaking culture meaning “I just beat you clearly”. Royal came back in her second round with headspins of her own, while 671 added swagger and expressions that reflected the respect yet rivalry of two athletes fighting not just for local pride, but for the world throne. The third round, set to Keep Me in Mind by The Bamboos, sealed an unforgettable finale: groovy vibes, powerful execution, and two young icons determined to leave their mark on history.
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After an embrace and a dramatic countdown, the votes were revealed: Royal 3–0. At just 16 years old, she stood crowned as the Gold Medalist at The World Games, a triumph that resonated far beyond Chengdu.
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B-Boys – Lithe-Ing Lifts China to the Top

After the B-Girls opening the competition with their Top8 battles, it was time for the B-Boys to take over the stage, and the quarterfinals quickly set the tone for another series of unforgettable battles. Kuzya fell 0–3 to reigning World Champion Issin, who looked sharp and determined from the start, while France’s Killian pushed hard with explosive powermoves but was edged out 1–2 by Shigekix in a clash of contrasting styles. On the other side, local prodigy X-Rain, cheered loudly by the Chengdu crowd, was swept 0–3 by the creativity of Hiro10, and Korea’s veteran Wing could not stop the powerhouse Lithe-Ing, who stormed through with a commanding 3–0, keeping China’s Gold Medal hopes alive.

The semifinals brought storylines worthy of a world stage. Issin vs Shigekix was nothing short of a rematch of the 2025 WDSF World Championship final held here in Chengdu last December. Once again, the outcome tilted towards Issin, who prevailed 2–1 after a battle that reached its peak in the third round, danced to The Mexican—one of the iconic beats used in the Paris 2024 Olympic final that will surely bring beautiful memories to the Breaking fans. Shigekix began vibing confidently to the music, but Issin had the stronger finish, earning his ticket to the Gold Medal battle.

The other semifinal was a visual spectacle. Hiro10 and Lithe-Ing treated the fans to a dream showdown, especially for lovers of powermoves. Lithe-Ing threw down sequences that defied belief, with explosive transitions and gravity-defying moves, while Hiro10 countered with his own creative flow. It was the kind of battle destined to live long in memory—ending 3–0 for Lithe-Ing, who kept Chinese fans dreaming of Gold in the men’s category.
shigekix hiro10 bronze battle twg2025

The Bronze Medal battle reunited two Japanese teammates trained under renowned Japanese coach Katsu: Shigekix and Hiro10. It was a beautiful contest, full of mutual knowledge and respect, closing 2–1 in favor of Shigekix—allowing him to repeat his Bronze Medal from Birmingham 2022. But the true highlight came from Hiro10’s third round, when he unleashed his viral signature move: chaining more than twenty consecutive headspins, leaving the entire arena in awe.

Then came the final showdown for Gold. The atmosphere was electric—China on edge, the Chengbei Gymnasium roaring. Lithe-Ing sprinted into the Field of Play, brimming with energy, while Issin opened the first round with precision and fire. Lithe-Ing responded with a jaw-dropping sequence: launching backward, landing on his head, kicking back to vertical, and repeating the move again and again—something few humans could even attempt, executed flawlessly, and sending the crowd into delirium.

The second round raised the intensity even higher, with Issin flying across the floor and Lithe-Ing countering with unmatched explosiveness. By the third, the entire arena was on its feet, living every beat of the music. When the judges revealed the scores, it was as close as it gets: one round for Issin, one for Lithe-Ing, and the decisive final round tipping to the Chinese star.
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The Chengbei Gymnasium erupted. Lithe-Ing raised his hands to the sky, celebrating with pure emotion as the arena’s very structure seemed to vibrate with the roar of the fans. With this victory, Breaking delivered two Golds and one Silver for the People’s Republic of China at The World Games 2025—an achievement that will echo far beyond Chengdu.
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A Legacy Written in Chengdu

What unfolded in Chengdu was a unique spectacle for the sport—once again, DanceSport Breaking left its mark on The World Games stage, delivering passion, artistry, and unforgettable stories that will live long in memory.

WDSF President Shawn Tay reflected on the moment:

“These finals showed the true spirit of DanceSport. I want to congratulate all the athletes for their outstanding performances and thank the Local Organising Committee and volunteers for their excellent work here in Chengdu. DanceSport continues to inspire and ignite emotions around the world, and we look forward to bringing this passion to Karlsruhe, Germany, for The World Games 2029.”

Stay tuned to our WDSF social media channels to hear directly from the athletes—the meaning of lifting these Medals for their countries, their personal reflections, and everything that lies ahead in their journeys. The story of all DanceSport disciplines is still being written, and the next chapters promise to be just as thrilling.

Photos by Haru Graphics.

Published on 17 August 2025