Ami wins first Olympic gold in breaking
- Ami Yuasa from Japan claimed gold in the first ever breaking event at the Olympics held in Paris.
- She triumphed over 16 competitors, winning every round against Lithuania's b-girl Nicka.
- This marks a significant achievement for breaking as an emerging Olympic sport.
PARIS (AP) — In a historic first for the Olympics, Japan’s b-girl Ami Yuasa, known as Ami, secured the gold medal in breaking, a high-energy dance competition held at Place de la Concorde stadium. Competing against 16 dancers, Yuasa triumphed in all three rounds against Lithuania’s Nicka (Dominika Banevič), showcasing her skills through spinning, flipping, and toprocking. Yuasa expressed her passion for breaking, stating, “It’s an expression, an art, but I want to say that breaking also could be part of sports.” The competition featured a panel of nine judges, all experienced b-boys and b-girls, who evaluated the dancers using the Trivium judging system, which considers technique, vocabulary, execution, musicality, and originality. Each aspect contributed equally to the final score. The b-girls began their performances with toprocking, followed by intricate footwork, all set to surprise soundtracks provided by DJs, allowing them to showcase their unique styles and individuality, which are vital to hip-hop culture. A total of 33 breakers from 15 countries, including the Refugee Olympic Team, made history by participating in this inaugural event. While breaking was introduced as an Olympic sport for Paris, it will not be included in the upcoming Los Angeles Games in 2028. The crowd particularly cheered for the b-girls from France and the U.S., highlighting the global appeal of this vibrant art form.