The Battle Heats Up in Shanghai: Preselection Power and Rising Intensity on Day 2 at the 2025 WDSF Asian Breaking Championship
A Surge of Energy as the Adult Championship Takes Flight
The atmosphere inside Luwan Gymnasium reached new heights today as the Adult category officially kicked off at the 2025 WDSF Asian Breaking Championship. With the Youth finals still to come, fans were already on their feet, witnessing a full day of explosive movement, bold performances, and high-stakes competition.
The day began with the B-Girls Preselection, where 16 athletes emerged from group performances to claim their place in tomorrow’s Top 16 bracket. Among the leaders were Riko (JPN), 671 (CHN), and Royal (CHN) – all delivering strong statements of intent from the start.
Top 16 B-Girls – after Adult Preselection:
- Riko (JPN)
- 671 (CHN)
- Royal (CHN)
- Jia Li (TPE)
- Ayane (JPN)
- Starry (KOR)
- Fresh Bella (KOR)
- Ding (CHN)
- Luofan (CHN)
- Ziyan (CHN)
- Sayora (KAZ)
- Plus One (CHN)
- Sophia (TPE)
- Yell (KOR)
- Silky (CHN)
- Jinx (TPE)
Following the B-Girls, the B-Boys took the stage for their Preselection and moved quickly into the Pre-Qualifier round – a 1 vs 1 format where round victories and judge votes determined who would advance. Intensity built with every battle, and by the end of the session, the Top 16 was locked in.
Top 16 B-Boys – after Adult Pre-Qualifier:
- Shigekix (JPN)
- Lithe-Ing (CHN)
- X-Rain (CHN)
- Jasper (TPE)
- Monkey Z (CHN)
- Quake (TPE)
- Crazy C (CHN)
- Leon (KOR)
- Killa Kolya (KAZ)
- Millie Mil (KOR)
- Rosin (TPE)
- Tsukki (JPN)
- Quicksilver (CHN)
- Guangjunlin (CHN)
- Crit (CHN)
- Shihao (CHN)
Once again, the format difference between B-Girls and B-Boys added a distinct rhythm to the day — driven mainly by the number of athletes in each category. While the B-Girls’ Preselection was decided by individual scores in four-athlete rotations, the B-Boys followed a two-step process: an initial score-based Preselection, followed by a Top 32 knockout phase where 1 vs 1 face-offs made every round and judge’s vote crucial on the road to the Top 16.
Youth Top 16: Clashes and Comebacks Set the Stage for the Quarter-Finals
The Top 16 of the Youth B-Girls division brought non-stop action and some emotional showdowns, as Asia’s brightest young talents battled for a spot among the final eight.
- Royal (CHN) defeated Yoyo (CHN), advancing with strength and confidence. Her next challenge: Xichen (CHN), who overcame Mirei (JPN) in a tight and technical battle.
- In another standout match-up, Hio (JPN) advanced after eliminating Ren (JPN), and now prepares to face 7G (JPN), who earned her place by taking down Ziyan.
- Hiyo (JPN) stayed in control to beat Koharu Python (JPN), setting up a highly anticipated clash against Mira (JPN), who outperformed Zitian (CHI) to secure her quarter-final ticket.
- Finally, Siqi (CHN) made it through after a solid win over Yirun, and was ready to face Cocoa (JPN), who advanced with a clear win over Elsa (TPE).
The quarter-finals confirmed the dominance of the day’s best performers:
- Royal kept her momentum and overcame Xichen to secure her spot in the semis.
- Hio took a hard-fought win over 7G, proving her consistency and focus.
- Hiyo delivered another high-level performance to eliminate Zitian.
- Cocoa, always fierce under pressure, outclassed Siqi to move forward.
Youth B-Boys Top 16: Bracket Battles Bring the Heat
The Youth B-Boys Top 16 delivered an intense round of face-offs, where every step, freeze, and round win shaped the road to the quarter-finals.
- Jason (CHN) started strong, defeating Shiqi (CHN) with power and presence. His quarter-final rival: Holy Rain (CHN), who advanced after beating Jiaju in a clean, confident battle.
- Saturn (TPE) brought the heat and overcame Renren (JPN), earning his spot in the Top 8. Waiting for him: Yongqiu (CHN), who edged out Bo Z (CHN) in a close encounter.
- Jierong (CHN), with calm control and explosive execution, got past Guangjunlin, and now faces Purple One (CHN), who eliminated Zhigao (CHN) with flair.
- The final bracket sees Lil Kong (JPN) advancing after beating Shengbo (CHN), setting up a high-stakes battle against Wato (JPN), who overcame Jiashu (CHN) to close out the Top 16.
In the quarter-finals, the energy only intensified:
- Jason powered through Holy Rain with authority, securing a semifinal spot.
- Saturn continued his momentum and defeated Yongqiu to advance.
- Jierong, sharp and composed, took the win over Purple One.
- Lil Kong, blending precision with performance, outmatched Wato in a memorable clash.
Semifinal Showdowns: Power, Pressure, and the Road to the Final
The semifinals of the Youth division delivered everything Breaking fans could ask for — sky-high energy, elite execution, and raw determination as the last four athletes in each category battled for their place in the final. With a continental title within reach, every round felt heavier, every vote more decisive.
B-Girls: Fire Meets Focus
In the first semifinal, Royal (CHN) — still riding the wave of her spectacular run from Preselection — faced one of the division’s strongest challengers: Hio (JPN). With laser-sharp execution and unmatched composure, Royal dominated the battle with a clear 3–0 win, earning her spot in the final on home ground and igniting the crowd inside Luwan Gymnasium.
The second semifinal was an all-Japanese clash between Hiyo and Cocoa, both known for their explosive style and battle intelligence. The showdown went the full distance: Hiyo took the win by 2–1, clinching the last ticket to the final and setting up a blockbuster clash with Royal.
B-Boys: Precision, Pressure, and the Final Leap
The B-Boy semifinals brought even more fireworks. Jason (CHN) made a statement with a dominant 3–0 victory over Yongqiu, showing total control and maturity beyond his years. His performance left no doubt — he was ready for the final.
Meanwhile, the second semifinal between Jierong (CHN) and Lil Kong (JPN) was a battle of momentum shifts. Jierong claimed the first round with power and clarity, but Lil Kong came back swinging, taking the second and third rounds to win the battle 2–1 and secure his place in the final.
The stage was now set: Royal vs Hiyo and Jason vs Lil Kong — two gold medals, two final battles, and one unforgettable conclusion to an incredible Youth championship.
Before the gold medal showdowns, the battles for third place brought one last burst of emotion.
In the B-Girls bronze battle, Cocoa (JPN) delivered a composed and sharp performance to defeat Hio (JPN) and claim her spot on the podium. Her journey through the bracket proved she’s not only one of Japan’s brightest young talents, but also a fighter when the stakes are high.
On the B-Boys side, Jierong (CHN) secured a well-earned 3–0 victory over Yongqiu (CHN) to take the bronze medal. But it was Yongqiu who captured the hearts of the crowd. Despite a notable age and size difference compared to many of his opponents, his fearless attitude and expressive style stood out throughout the event. Proof of his rising popularity? A clip of his battle has already gone viral, nearing 400,000 views across social media.
Incredible battles, unforgettable stories — and the finals still to come.
Youth Finals: A New Generation Rises
The Youth finals left no doubt — the future of Breaking is already here. These young athletes proved they’re not just promising talents, but rising stars ready to lead the next era of the sport.
In the B-Girls final, Royal (CHN) delivered a flawless performance to defeat Hiyo (JPN) with a dominant 3–0, earning unanimous votes from all judges. It was a dream moment — a home victory, surrounded by the energy of the crowd, and a title that represents years of dedication. But her journey isn’t over yet: Royal is also competing in the Adult division, and after securing a spot in the Top 16, she now chases history — aiming to become the first-ever Asian Breaking champion in two age groups at the same event.
On the B-Boys side, it was Jason (CHN) who soared in the final. In a spectacular, high-flying battle against Lil Kong (JPN), Jason claimed the title with a clear 3–0 win, igniting Luwan Gymnasium once again. Both Youth gold medals stay in China, marking a proud moment for the home crowd and a thrilling conclusion to a championship that will be remembered for years.
Reflecting on the day’s powerful display, WDSF President Shawn Tay shared a heartfelt message of admiration and inspiration:
“The talent we’ve seen in this Youth Championship is almost hard to comprehend. The level, the maturity, and the creativity these young B-Boys and B-Girls bring to the floor is a direct reflection of their commitment, discipline, and passion. These are values we proudly share within WDSF, and they are perfectly aligned with the Olympic spirit. What we’ve witnessed here in Shanghai goes far beyond medals — it’s a glimpse into the future of Breaking, and the future looks extraordinary.”
Watch the Replays – Follow the Movement
Missed the action? Rewatch the full Youth Top 16 battles and finals now on our official WDSF YouTube channel and relive every explosive round, emotional celebration, and game-changing moment.
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