If one was to name a gold medal candidate for breakdancing or "breaking"(as it will be called) at the 2024 Paris Games, it will be Shigeyuki Nakarai aka B-boy Shigekix, from Japan.
Highlight
- Breaking will be an official sports in the 2024 Paris Olympics
- Nakarai siblings recently competed in the World Championships with Shigekix winning the competition
- The siblings has a chance representing Japan in the 2024 Paris Games
He is the 2020 Red Bull BC One World Champion. In fact, at 18 years old, Shigekix is the youngest breaker ever to win the championship belt.
He is young, but this Japanese powerhouse is not new to the breaking scene. Influenced by his B-girl sister, Ayane (who also competed at the Red Bull BC One World Championship), Shigekix began dancing at 7, quickly climbing up the ranks, competing internationally.
2020 Red Bull BC One World Champion Source: Shigekix
In 2017, 15year old Shigekix was the youngest ever breaker to compete at the Red Bull BC World Championship, making all the way to the semi final, before losing to Menno (Netherlands) who went to win the competition.
"This time I went to win it" says Shigekix, who recalls that in his previous appearance, he was more excited about been on his dream stage, "although winning was at the back of my mind"
The Championship was held in Salzburg, Austria this year, where world's top 8 B-boys and top 8 B-girls gathered to compete for the championship belt. But this was in middle of country's 2nd three-week lockdown.
Despite this situation, the competition was allowed to go ahead, with dancers strictly quarantined and monitored before been allowed out of their room to practice in an designated space. Shigekix says that the event was very well organized, and the unusually intense atmosphere allowed him to focus even more.
Although millions tuned into watch online, the championship itself had no spectators.
"I usually draw energy from the crowd, or improvise according to how the spectators are responding. So that was one less element. Instead I focused on the music "
Shigekix says he is "super excited to win the championship that he has dreamed for so long"
His sister Ayane, was there in full support.
"She came and gave me a big hug, and was crying so much that I kind of missed my moment to be in tears myself" he laughs.
Ayane lost in the semi-final round to Kastet (Russia) ,who went on to win the championship.
Shortly after Shigekix's history making win, breaking became an official sports for the 2024 Paris Games. Now, all eyes are on the breaking sibling, who holds a big chance in taking home gold in both the men's and women's event.
"I do believe it can come true"
Breaking first made its Olympic debut in 2018, when it was included in the Summer Youth Games in Benos Aires. Shigekix represented Japan and took home a silver medal.
"I've always watched the Olympic Games and I had always hoped for breaking to be included in the event"
In the interview with SBS Japanese, Shigkix described how the competition will be run and judged at the Olympic Games as well
LISTEN TO
ブレイクダンス世界チャンピオンShigekix
SBS Japanese
29/12/202013:59
