Electric Youth Battles Spark Opening Day in Shanghai at the 2025 WDSF Asian Breaking Championship Youth

The energy was sky-high today in Shanghai as the 2025 WDSF Asian Breaking Championship Youth officially got underway at the iconic Luwan Gymnasium. A total of 169 young breakers – 122 B-Boys and 47 B-Girls representing 12 Asian nations – stepped onto the floor, ready to prove their skills and battle their way into the Top 16.

The opening day brought excitement, emotion, and athletic artistry in equal measure, as the crowd witnessed the next generation of Breaking talent set the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable weekend.

B-Boy Brilliance: From Preselection to Pre-Qualifier Showdowns

The day began with the B-Boy Preselection, where groups of four breakers performed under the watchful eye of the judging panel. Their youth may have been evident, but so was their exceptional level of technical prowess, musicality, and raw energy.

From this first stage, 64 athletes advanced to the Pre-Qualifier, where the format shifted to 1 vs 1 battles over two rounds. In case of a tie, total judge votes determined the winner, and a third round may be required if total judge votes are also tied. After a fierce round of head-to-heads, 32 breakers advanced to the final Pre-Qualifier phase – and from there, the best 16 B-Boys earned their spot in tomorrow’s knock-out stage.

Among the top names to watch is Jason (CHN), who led the ranking with a dominant showing, followed closely by fellow countryman Jierong (CHN) and Wato (JPN). Jason, 14th at last year’s WDSF World Youth Championship, looks poised for a breakthrough, but Jierong – who finished 6th in that same event – is not far behind.

Top 16 B-Boys – Pre-Qualifier Ranking:

1. Jason (CHN)
2. Jierong (CHN)
3. Wato (JPN)
4. Bo Z (CHN)
5. Renren (JPN)
6. Lil Kong (JPN)
7. Purple One (CHN)
8. Holy Rain (CHN)
9. Jiaju (CHN)
10. Zhigao (CHN)
11. Shengbo (CHN)
12. Saturn (TPE)
13. Yongqiu (CHN)
14. Jiashu (CHN)
15. Guangjunlin (CHN)
16. Shiqi (CHN)

B-Girls Bring the Fire: Top 16 Ready to Shine

Later in the day, it was the B-Girls’ turn to take the spotlight with their Preselection phase. Based on their scores, the Top 16 secured their place in tomorrow’s knockout stage.

Royal (CHN) led the pack with an impressive display of style and presence. A Top 8 finisher at the first-ever WDSF World Championship Breaking Youth in Wuxi last year, she now looks determined to claim the continental title on home soil.

Challenging her at the top of the rankings are Japan’s elite duo Hiyo and Hio, who placed second and fourth today. Both stood on the podium at the World Championship in Wuxi—Hio taking third and Hiyo fourth—right behind their acclaimed teammate Riko, who narrowly missed qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games due to the quota limitation.

With such talent concentrated at the top, tomorrow’s B-Girl battles promise to deliver absolute fireworks.

Top 16 B-Girls – Preselection Ranking:

1. Royal (CHN)
2. Hiyo (JPN)
3. Cocoa (JPN)
4. Hio (JPN)
5. Ziyan (CHN)
6. Siqi (CHN)
7. Mira (JPN)
8. Mirei (JPN)
9. Xichen (CHN)
10. Zitian (CHN)
11. Yirun (CHN)
12. 7G (JPN)
13. Ren (JPN)
14. Elsa (TPE)
15. Koharu Python (JPN)
16. Yoyo (CHN)

What’s Coming Tomorrow: Top 16 Showdowns and Adult Championship Launch

The action heats up even more tomorrow as the Youth Top 16 battles get underway – with both B-Boys and B-Girls set to face off in knockout quarter-finals. With the level we've seen today, surprises are guaranteed, and no ranking is safe.

At the same time, the 2025 WDSF Asian Breaking Championship Adult division will kick off its first rounds, adding another layer of excitement to what’s shaping up to be a historic weekend for Breaking in Asia.

A Crucial Step Toward Dakar 2026

Beyond the titles at stake, this Championship plays a key role in shaping the path to the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026. While this event does not directly qualify athletes, performances here may influence their nomination by National Olympic Committees (NOCs). National Member Bodies must submit their athlete nominations by 15 July, with final NOC selections due by 31 July.

With that in mind, every round, every battle, and every vote counts.

As Day 1 came to a close, WDSF President Shawn Tay reflected on the event, highlighting both the remarkable performances and the excellence of the local organization:

“The WDSF extends its deepest thanks to the Chinese DanceSport Federation (CDSF) for hosting a world-class event, and to DanceSport Asia for its continued commitment to elevating the sport. The outstanding level of delivery and organization on this opening day sets the tone for what promises to be a phenomenal championship. Just as impressive has been the level of talent on the floor – these young athletes continue to raise the bar and showcase the incredible future of Breaking.”

Watch it Live – Be Part of the Movement

Tune in to the action tomorrow on the WDSF YouTube channel and witness the drama unfold live from Shanghai.

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Published on 27 June 2025