China has achieved its best-ever performance at the World Breaking Championships in Chengdu, securing two medals on Saturday. Paris Olympics bronze medalist Liu Qingyi clinched silver in the women’s event, while Wang Ruimiao earned bronze, marking the country’s first-ever podium finish on the men’s side.
This year’s World Championships, the first since breaking made its Olympic debut at Paris 2024, attracted more than 180 athletes from 31 nations and regions. The men’s and women’s winners and runners-up earned direct entry into the 2025 World Games.
Liu Qingyi, also known as B-Girl 671, defeated Lithuania’s Dominika Banevich 2-1 to reach the women’s final, avenging her semifinal defeat at the Olympics. Liu introduced several fresh elements in the title contest against India Dewi Sardjoe of the Netherlands. However, the effects were not as significant, and Sardjoe, who placed fourth at the Paris Games, claimed gold with a 2-1 victory.
“My main goal in this competition is to dance happily, while also exploring areas and methods that are not my strength,” said Liu. “Dance is an art form, and I don’t want to always win by performing in just one way, as I want to express myself through various styles.”
In the men’s division, two Chinese athletes advanced to the last 16. Qi Xiangyu, who placed fourth at last season’s World Championships, missed out on a spot in the quarterfinals. His compatriot, Wang Ruimiao, nicknamed B-Boy Monkey Z, made an impressive debut, finishing with bronze after defeating Ukraine’s Oleg Kuznietsov 3-0.
The 19-year-old Wang earned China’s first-ever medal in the men’s division at the World Breaking Championships. The gold medal went to Japan’s Isshin Hishikawa.
China’s historic success at the championships reflects the nation’s growing prowess in the sport of breaking and highlights the talent and dedication of its young athletes.
Reference(s):
China celebrates historic success at World Breaking Championships
cgtn.com
