Breaking Forward: Olympic Pathways and Strategic Growth Highlighted at the WDSF Forum 2025
Bucharest, Romania – 14 June 2025 – The second thematic session of the WDSF Forum 2025 shifted focus toward Breaking — not only as a sport, but as a cultural movement that continues to reshape the future of DanceSport and redefine its Olympic trajectory.
Led by Vice President for Sports Nenad Jeftic, Breaking Division Head Bojin Chen, and Breaking Core Group Member João “Max” Oliveira, the session provided an overview of key upcoming events and the structural work being done to solidify Breaking’s place at the highest levels of international sport.
Global Calendar for 2025: A Year of Critical Milestones
The session began with a rundown of major Breaking events for 2025:
- WDSF Asian Breaking Youth & Adult Championship – Shanghai, People’s Republic of China (June)
- The World Games 2025 – Chengdu, People’s Republic of China (August)
- WDSF World Breaking Youth Championship – Porto, Portugal (August)
- WDSF World Breaking Championship – Fukkuoka, Japan (December)
Each of these events plays a vital role in athlete development, international ranking, and the visibility of Breaking ahead of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026. Speaking on the importance of Porto, Max emphasized its significance for ranking points and athlete allocation, calling it a "must-compete" event for eligible youth aiming for YOG participation.
Dakar 2026: Allocation, Not Qualification
A key clarification made by Jeftic and Oliveira during the Forum was the distinction between qualification and allocation. While athletes do not “qualify” in the traditional Olympic sense, their performance impacts their eligibility for nomination by their National Olympic Committees (NOCs).
Important timelines were shared:
- By 15 July 2025: National Member Bodies must submit their nominated athletes to their respective NOCs.
- By 31 July 2025: NOCs must officially submit their athlete selections to the IOC.
The allocation process will be based on principles such as universality, continental representation, performance, gender equality, and host nation inclusion, with a special focus on African representation given Dakar’s role as host.
WDSF General Secretary Sergey Nifontov and Max Oliveira recently visited Senegal to assess the venue and infrastructure. A dedicated outdoor Breaking venue is under construction—covered, to account for the harsh weather conditions—and the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee has shown strong commitment to delivering a world-class experience.
Gender Equality and the Integrity of the Breaking Division
A core theme of the session was WDSF’s continued commitment to gender equality. All Breaking competitions under the WDSF have included equal representation of B-Boys and B-Girls, with identical prize money. In December 2024, WDSF further demonstrated this commitment by hosting a dedicated congress for female judges, reinforcing its effort to grow female leadership in the discipline.
The Breaking Division itself, as presented by Jeftic and reaffirmed by Sandra Nori and Tony Tilenni, is built around cultural integrity and athlete focus, designed to remain free from conflicted commercial interests. This ensures that the heart of Breaking remains rooted in its community while aligned with Olympic standards.
Brisbane 2032: The Mountain Ahead
The session concluded with the topic of Breaking’s possible inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, led by Vice President for Finance Tony Tilenni, Chair of the WDSF Nomination Commission and former Minister in the Government of New South Wales, Australia, Sandra Nori, and Max.
Tony Tilenni reminded delegates of the unprecedented achievements of Paris 2024: full house sessions of over 22,000 spectators, immense media reach, and personal praise from IOC President Thomas Bach. Yet, he acknowledged that the road to Brisbane will be "more like climbing Mt. Everest", as a wave of media controversy surrounding a single athlete overshadowed the event's broader success.
Sandra Nori emphasized the importance of persistence, drawing parallels with other sports that were temporarily excluded and then reinstated. "It would be wrong not to try," she said, referencing the years of effort by WDSF, the Breaking community, and especially the athletes.
WDSF has already submitted an expression of interest to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and is working closely with stakeholders, including the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee and the Queensland Government. A final decision could come by Q3 2026, when the IOC meets to evaluate new sports.
Key elements strengthening Breaking’s bid:
- Only 32 athlete quota spots needed (16 B-Boys / 16 B-Girls)
- Existing venue in Southbank (3x3 Basketball) requires no new construction
- Strong social media metrics from Paris 2024
- Proven gender equality and cost-effectiveness
- Legacy strategy in development for indigenous and disadvantaged youth in Queensland
Sandra also introduced a preliminary outreach concept, exploring a potential program for remote Aboriginal communities via partnerships with youth organizations and educational institutions. Though still in early discussions, it reflects WDSF’s proactive approach to legacy and local impact.
“Getting into the Olympics is never easy, especially for a young discipline,” Nori stated. “But if we don’t try, we undermine everything we’ve built together—our athletes, our culture, and our role as a serious international federation.”
The Forum session made one thing clear: WDSF is not stepping back. Through structure, inclusivity, and strategic planning, the federation remains fully committed to ensuring Breaking continues its Olympic journey—whether in Dakar, Brisbane, or beyond.
More articles from the WDSF Forum 2025 will follow soon, including new DanceSport disciplines, event tools, and key sports governance updates.
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