Meet the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Athletes: The Story of B-Girl Hiyo, the WDSF Breaking Youth World Champion
At just 17, Hiyo Yamada (B-Girl Hiyo) stands as a major figure in the growing Breaking scene. Having crowned her rising career as the WDSF Breaking Youth World Champion 2026, she is now preparing for her next monumental milestone: representing Japan at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in just a couple of weeks.
From Classical Beginnings to an Olympic Purpose
Hiyo started in Breaking at 10 years old. Coming from a classical ballet and rhythmic gymnastics background, learning the techniques was the first thing she enjoyed about Breaking.
At 11 years old, as she was becoming more familiar with Breaking, she discovered it would be an official sport at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This news completely shifted her world: being an Olympic athlete suddenly became her ambition. Reflecting on that pivotal moment today as she prepares for Dakar 2026, Hiyo shares a mature perspective on her Olympic journey:
“Becoming an Olympic athlete is not my ultimate goal, but rather a stepping stone along the way. Moving forward, I want to keep pursuing my own definition of ‘coolness’ and remain at the top of the world. While I do feel nervous about stepping onto such a grand stage as the Youth Olympic Games, my excitement is far greater. Because this is such a precious experience, I want to learn as much as possible while, above all, giving it my absolute all in Battle.”
The Turning Point and Pursuit of Uniqueness
At a very young age, she made the decision to pursue Breaking seriously. Her first competition was the 2024 WDSF World Breaking Championships Youth in Wuxi, where she placed 4th. This became a pivotal moment in her career. Representing Japan on the international stage became her driving motivation. As Hiyo reflects, “Through those experiences, Breaking became something I want to continue pursuing forever. I feel fortunate to have something I can be passionate about.”
Beyond competitions, training with her sister is part of her day-to-day. She trains at a local facility and considers her sister both her rival and confidante. While Hiyo prioritises technique and performance, she places equal emphasis on developing her personal style, her uniqueness, and always remaining true to herself.
She is also part of “EEIGHT OFFICIAL”, a worldwide Breaking crew based in South Korea with 17 other competitive B-Boys and B-Girls and a beatboxer. Although they train in their own respective countries, Hiyo values being part of this community as central to her development both as an athlete and an individual: “Even though we're different in age and nationality, being able to support and inspire each other as part of the same crew family is something I feel contributes to my personal growth,” she explains.
Overcoming Battles and Shifting Mindsets
As a high-achieving and disciplined athlete, Hiyo also navigates mental battles, especially when it comes to unexpected outcomes. “Because I'm seriously committed, I feel frustrated when I lose Battles, and I sometimes blame myself,” Hiyo explains. These battles resurfaced in what she describes as the major setback in her career until today: falling short of victory. Hiyo adds: “When I lost, I would only think about what I couldn't do and my shortcomings, and I would get depressed.”
When facing these situations, her support system is a big part of moving forward. The support she receives builds her resilience, keeps her grounded, and makes her aware of her strengths. “They taught me that while it's important to reflect on what I couldn't do and improve, it's also important to find and develop my strengths,” Hiyo says.
Preparing for Dakar 2026, Hiyo emphasises how crucial this foundation remains:
“My family and crew are an indispensable presence, not only do we practice together, but they also support me mentally. In particular, being able to train together every day with my sister is a huge source of strength for me. I don’t think I could have made it this far through my own efforts alone. I will never forget that I am who I am today thanks to the support of so many people, and I want to do my best to repay that gratitude through my results and my dance.”
Focusing on her strengths while remaining aware of her weaknesses marked a significant mindset shift for Hiyo, fundamentally transforming how she approaches her sport.
Carrying the Flag: Expression Over Winning
When asked what winning the Youth Breaking World Championships meant to her, Hiyo stressed that beyond movement, DanceSport is an expression of the self: “I valued ‘enjoying myself’ more than winning. That’s because I believe I shine brightest when I feel the music and express it freely.”
She also describes this achievement not as solely hers, but as a collective victory of those who supported and keep supporting her: “Although I stand alone on the competition stage, I receive support from many people to get there,” Hiyo shares. “Becoming a world champion has made me realize once again that I am who I am today because of the support of so many people.”
Now, as she prepares to represent Japan, one of the strongest Breaking nations in the world, at the Youth Olympic Games, carrying the national flag holds a profound meaning for her:
“I feel extremely proud to carry the national flag and compete as a representative of Japan. Without ever forgetting my gratitude towards everyone who has supported me up to this point, I want to convey the charm and appeal of Japanese Breaking to the world through my own authentic dance style. Japan has so many amazing dancers, so as one of them, I want to showcase an expression on the global stage that only I can deliver.”
Connecting the World Through Breaking
Beyond athletic achievement, Hiyo is committed to connecting with people worldwide. As she explains, “The appeal of Breaking lies in the fact that there are no right or wrong answers, and you can freely express yourself. Furthermore, the ability to connect with people all over the world through the shared experience of Breaking is a major attraction.”
Looking ahead to the Youth Olympic Games, her message to young dancers in Japan and across the globe encapsulates the spirit of Breaking:
“I believe having the desire to win is very important. However, I want everyone to remember that enjoying dance is just as important. Breaking is a wonderful culture through which you can connect with people all over the world through dance. Even if our languages and countries are different, we can understand and connect with each other through music and dance. That is precisely why I hope people don’t make winning their only goal, but instead cherish dancing as themselves and genuinely enjoying the dance.”
Today, Hiyo stands as a major figure in the growing Breaking scene. And this is just the start of it all.
Follow B-Girl Hiyo’s journey to Dakar 2026 on Instagram: @bgirl_hiyo
Photos by Haru Graphics
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