China achieved a historic milestone at the World Breaking Championships in Chengdu on Saturday, claiming two medals and marking its best-ever performance at the event. Paris Olympics bronze medalist Liu Qingyi clinched silver in the women’s category, while Wang Ruimiao secured bronze in the men’s division—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 over 180 athletes from 31 nations and regions. The stakes were high, as 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, showcased her exceptional talent by defeating Lithuania’s Dominika Banevich 2-1 to advance to the women’s final, avenging her previous defeat in the Olympic semifinals. In the title match against India Dewi Sardjoe of the Netherlands, Liu introduced several new elements to her performance. Despite her innovative moves, Sardjoe, who placed fourth at the Paris Games, claimed the gold with a narrow 2-1 victory.
“My main goal in this competition is to dance happily while exploring areas and methods that are not my strength,” Liu expressed after the finals. “Dance is an art form, and I don’t want to always win by performing in just one way. I want to express myself through various styles.”
On the men’s side, China saw two athletes advance to the last 16. Qi Xiangyu, who finished fourth in last season’s World Championships, narrowly missed a spot in the quarterfinals. His compatriot Wang Ruimiao, nicknamed B-Boy Monkey Z, made an impressive debut by defeating Ukraine’s Oleg Kuznietsov 3-0 to claim the bronze medal. The 19-year-old’s achievement marked China’s first-ever medal in the men’s division at the World Breaking Championships. Japan’s Isshin Hishikawa took home the gold in the men’s category.
The success of Liu and Wang reflects China’s growing prominence in the international breaking scene. Their accomplishments not only inspire a new generation of dancers in China but also signify the nation’s expanding influence in global cultural and sporting arenas.
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China celebrates historic success at World Breaking Championships
cgtn.com
