Europe’s best breakdancers are set to compete at a major event in Manchester ahead of the sport’s debut at the Olympics.
The city will stage the 2022 World Dance Sport Federation European Breaking Championships after the original event in Russia was cancelled following the invasion of Ukraine.
Held over the weekend of November 5 and 6, the event will feature Europe’s top male and female ‘breakers’ hoping to become potential contenders for the sport’s first Olympics.
Breakdancing – also referred to as ‘breaking’ – made its debut in major sporting competitions at the Youth Olympic Games at Buenos Aires in 2018 and following its success was added to Paris 2024. It follows surfing, skateboarding and BMX in being added to the Games in recent years.
And Oliver ‘Hooch’ Whittle, President of Breaking GB, said: “The Olympic Sports Programme in recent years reflects the changing nature of sports activities globally, ensuring that this iconic event stays culturally relevant.”
Breaking GB, the sport’s governing body in this country, won the bid to host this year’s event with support from Manchester City Council and the UK Sport National Lottery investment.
The event will be held at Belle Vue Sports Village and see hundreds of ‘B-Girls’ and ‘B-Boys’ from across Europe showcase their talent to a panel of judges throughout head-to-head rounds.
Sunni Brummitt, Karam Singh and Roxy Milliner will be among the UK’s hottest prospects taking on the best breakers from across Europe.
And organisers hope that in bringing the Championships to England, it will attract a new audience and help the sport grow.
Whittle said: “Even if you know nothing about breaking you’ll see some explosive performances that will take your breath away and leave you asking, ‘How did they do that?’”
Manchester has ranked as one of the top 10 global cities for sport. As well as two Premier League giants, this month it will host a major taekwondo event and next month the rugby league World Cup final at Old Trafford.
Tickets are on sale on the Breaking GB website starting from £12 for adult tickets and £7.50 for child and concession tickets.
Main image from the 2021 Breakdancing World Championship in Paris; photo by Little Shao
