In the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic Games, Australian breakdancers are on a mission to reshape the public's perception of their sport. Picture this: within the grand halls of Brisbane City Hall, the air vibrates with energetic beats as nearly 200 breakdancers from 33 different nations come together for a thrilling competition.
This weekend marks an important moment as the World Dancesport Federation holds its event, which is part of the broader effort to ensure breaking is included in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane in 2032.
Among the talented participants is a group of passionate Australian dancers who are eager to carve out a unique identity for their representation on the Olympic stage, especially in light of the previous Games where Raygun—an individual performer—dominated the spotlight.
"It was just a fleeting moment; there’s so much more to breaking than that," shared Benji Cogdell-Baird, known globally as Benmx and celebrated for his skills.
At just 18 years old, Benji has been breaking since he moved to Queensland from South Australia at the age of seven. He recalls that challenging period when his family faced a medical emergency with his brother experiencing a cardiac arrest. "That time was incredibly stressful for my parents, and they decided to introduce me to breaking to help me focus on something positive amid the chaos."
He fell in love with the sport instantly, describing it as explosive and powerful. Now, he hopes to ignite a similar passion among Australians for a sport that hasn't received the recognition it deserves on home turf. "I want to demonstrate to the world how entertaining breaking is and how unique it can be. When was the last time you saw someone effortlessly spinning on their head?"
The term ‘Australian breakdancer’ became closely associated with one standout competitor, Raygun, during the 2024 Olympics, where she represented Australia dressed in vibrant green and gold yet unfortunately did not score any points in her three matches. Although her performances made headlines internationally, Luke Brown, the General Secretary of DanceSport Australia, believes it’s time for a broader array of athletes to shine.
"While Raygun’s participation in Paris 2024 was a remarkable event for breaking, it’s crucial that we also highlight other athletes who bring their unique styles and personalities to the forefront," he explained.
Jeff Dunne, a professional breaker known by the name J-Attack, experienced the thrill of competing at the Paris Olympics. "It was a tremendous honor and privilege to represent Australia on such a prestigious platform," he remarked. With an audience of five billion viewers tuning into the Paris Games, Mr. Dunne is optimistic that breaking will attract just as many viewers during the Brisbane Games six years from now.
"I want Australians to appreciate the difference between watching breaking on screen and experiencing it live. It creates opportunities for competitors to travel around the globe, connecting with others who share the same passion and dedication."
Seventeen-year-old Guo Pu, who goes by the stage name B-Girl Royal and holds the title of world youth champion, emphasized that breaking is a global community, vibrant and active everywhere, including Australia. "There isn't a significant divide among communities; we all dance because of our shared love for this sport and art form," she stated. "We aim to invite more people to witness and appreciate the beauty of breaking."
Luke Brown noted that new talents are indeed accepting this invitation, as evidenced by the growing participation in World DanceSport Federation competitions. "We’re witnessing a rise in registrations both globally and throughout Australia, not a decline," he noted proudly.
As breaking competes with numerous other sports for inclusion in the international Olympic and Paralympic committees’ program for the 2032 Games, he added, "Our goal is to create a sports program that reflects the core values of the Olympic and Paralympic movements while also being operationally viable and supporting the commercial, sustainable, and engagement objectives of Brisbane 2032."
With breaking absent from the 2028 Los Angeles Games, its future in Brisbane will be determined by the committees later this year. Shawn Tay, President of the World DanceSport Federation, remarked that the recent competition in Brisbane serves as a hopeful indicator of Australia's enthusiasm for global breakdancing events. "This weekend’s gathering may be one of the most critical events before the Olympic Games Committee decides on including new sports for Brisbane 2032. Many of our top athletes, including several young world champions, are here to showcase their exceptional breaking skills."
