The addition of breaking to this year's Olympic Games has captured the attention of fans across the globe, including aspiring breakers from New Zealand.
This year's Olympics pledge to be "urban, young, and revolutionary" with a focus on inclusivity and youth through fan-favourite sports such as surfing, speed climbing, and skateboarding as well as the newly-introduced breaking.
Wellington's breaking community was buzzing with excitement as their sport reached new heights.
"It's definitely something they can reach for and aspire to get to that level and try compete with the big guys," said Erana McNutt from Breaking Limits Wellington.
Although local dancers didn't qualify for Paris, the sport's inclusion has sparked fresh aspirations for those back home.
Breaking's roots are deeply embedded in hip-hop culture, demanding balance, strength, and flexibility from its performers.
"Breaking tells a story with each move," said Aotearoa Breaking Association's Dujon Cullingford.
Cullingford said the energy and camaraderie of the sport offered a refreshing contrast to traditional, more serious sports and that breaking had a well-established global competition network.
"Maybe people on the outside of breaking [think] 'oh these guys don't compete, how do you judge that?' But actually there's a lot of good frameworks and judging systems and a very long history of competing against other countries," he said.
Breakdancing transforms lives
Originally emerging from the Bronx as a form of hip-hop expression, breaking captivated audiences globally at this year's Olympic Games in Paris.
Leon Carswell, a veteran B-boy from the US said it was "real dope to see the next generation taking it to the next level".
Le Journal: Day 15 from the Paris Olympics
Your morning Olympics catch-up on the action you might've missed from overnight, and a look behind the scenes at what’s going on in Paris.
5:30am
0:20
Cringy moves and white b-girl's durag prompt Olympic breaking questions
“It's almost like they are mocking the genre,” wrote one user on X.
Sun, Aug 11
Afghan refugee breaker disqualified for wearing 'Free Afghan Women' cape
“I’m here because I want to reach my dream. Not because I’m scared,” she said.
Sun, Aug 11
His crew, which had been breaking for over 30 years, flew in from California specifically for the event. Carswell highlighted how breaking transformed lives by "making something out of nothing, and changing people that were bad into good".
"It's a form of art that offers an outlet for those who can't afford gymnastics. It's like 'ghetto gymnastics,' providing a goal and a path to success."
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