Imagine pouring your heart and soul into a sport, only to have its Olympic image defined by a single, perhaps less-than-stellar performance. That's the challenge facing Australian breakdancers as Brisbane gears up for the potential 2032 Olympic Games. They're not just dancing; they're on a mission to redefine what it means to be an Australian 'breaker' on the world stage.
Deep inside Brisbane City Hall, the bass is thumping. Nearly 200 breakdancers from 33 countries have converged for the World Dancesport Federation competition. This isn't just a dance-off; it's a crucial step in securing breaking's spot at the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games. The energy is palpable, the stakes are high, and the Australian contingent is determined to make a statement.
Leading the charge is a group of talented Australian athletes eager to forge their own Olympic identity. They're looking to move beyond the shadow cast by Raygun's performance at the last Games. "It was just that small snippet: there's so much more to breaking," insists Benji Cogdell-Baird, known internationally as Benmx. He’s not wrong; breaking is a complex blend of athleticism, artistry, and individual expression.
Benmx, an 18-year-old who's been breaking since his family moved to Queensland from South Australia when he was seven, has a deeply personal connection to the sport. "When we moved up here, my brother had a cardiac arrest. At the time, it was very stressful for my parents having to manage all of that," he shares. "They put me in the sport to take my mind off all the things that were happening." Breaking, with its explosive energy and demanding physicality, became his outlet. "It was explosive and powerful. I just ended up falling in love with it straight away."
This Gold Coast teenager wants more Australians to experience that same passion. He feels the sport isn't "too exposed" in Australia yet. "I'd like to show the world that it's such an entertaining sport and it's like none other. When was the last time you saw [someone] spinning on their head?" It's a fair point. Breaking is visually arresting, technically challenging, and brimming with personality. But here's where it gets controversial... How much does a single performance define a sport's image?
The 2024 Olympics saw the words 'Australian breakdancer' become almost synonymous with Raygun, who, decked out in green and gold, didn't manage to score any points in her three battles in Paris. While the routines generated international headlines, Luke Brown, general secretary of DanceSport Australia, believes it's time for a broader representation. He wants to showcase the depth and diversity of Australian breaking talent, both Olympic and non-Olympic breakers.
"Paris 2024 was an amazing success for breaking. Raygun represented Australia, and she went forward and bought what she thought was her best performance," Brown acknowledges. "But we're moving forward in a way that showcases all of our athletes and their own individual personalities and flavours." This is where the narrative shifts. It's no longer about one person; it's about a collective of athletes, each bringing their unique style and story to the dance floor.
Jeff Dunne, a professional breaker known as J-Attack, experienced the Olympic atmosphere firsthand at the Paris Games. "Just being able to represent Australia at one of the highest sporting areas is such an honour and such a privilege," he says. He hopes breaking can captivate a similar audience in Brisbane, considering the five billion viewers who tuned into the Paris Olympics two years ago. And this is the part most people miss... It's not just about the performance itself; it's about the global community it creates.
"I'd like Australia to understand the difference between watching breaking and seeing it live," Dunne emphasizes. "It also allows competitors to travel across the world to meet new people that share the same experience as you, who have put in all that hard work and discipline." The sense of camaraderie and shared passion is a powerful draw for breakers worldwide.
17-year-old Guo Pu from China, ranked number one in world youth under the stage name B-Girl Royal, echoes this sentiment. She says the art form is thriving globally, including in Australia. "I don't think there is a big difference in communities because we are altogether dancing for our love of this sport and art form," she explains. "We hope to invite more people to experience and appreciate breaking." It's a global village built on beats and breaks.
According to Mr. Brown, that invitation is being accepted, with World DanceSport Federation competitions seeing increased participation. "We're seeing an increase of participation across the country, we're not seeing a decrease," he confirms. "We're seeing an increase of registrations worldwide and in Australia as well." The future looks bright for breaking, but the Olympic decision looms large.
Breaking is just one of many sports vying for inclusion in the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic program. A Brisbane 2032 spokesperson stated, "We are focused on designing a sport programme that reflects the values of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements, is operationally viable, and supports Brisbane 2032's commercial, sustainable and engagement and experience objectives." With breaking absent from the 2028 Los Angeles Games, its fate in Brisbane rests on the committees' decision later this year.
Shawn Tay, President of the World DanceSport Federation, believes the Brisbane competition is a positive indicator of Australia's enthusiasm for global breakdancing. "This is perhaps the most important event before the Olympic Games Committee makes its decision to include new sports in Brisbane 2032," Tay said. "Many of our top athletes are here, including many young world champions, to showcase what they do best in breaking." The pressure is on, and the dancers are ready to deliver.
Ultimately, the question remains: Can Australian breakdancers successfully redefine their Olympic image and secure a place for their sport in Brisbane 2032? More importantly, should a single performance dictate the perception of an entire sport and its athletes? What do you think? Will breaking be a highlight of the Brisbane Olympics, and what does it need to do to win over the hearts (and eyes) of the Olympic committee and the global audience?
