B-Boy Fever Grips Nation

30 May, 2011

B-Boy Fever Grips Nation

Red Bull BC One the world’s most globally recognised B-Boy break dancing competition, exercised its ‘pulling power’ across the country this weekend as the search for New Zealand’s best B-Boy continued. Competitors in the Auckland and Wellington cyphers battled their way into two of 16 places available in the Red Bull BC One Asia Pacific Qualifier, which will be held later this year.

The atmosphere at both events was electric with hundreds of excited fans supporting their favourite competitors. MC Juce1 kept the crowd pumped up as around 80 B-Boys battled each other to hip hop beats, spun by Red Bull Thre3Style 2011 Champion DJ Spell.

In Auckland the final battle turned into a showdown between B-Boy Akorn (Christchurch, 22 years) and Grub-D (Christchurch, 27 years), last year’s NZ Red Bull BC One Asia Pacific representative. With the judges still undecided, a sudden death round had to be called before Akorn eventually took the title.

Judge Khymer praised the calibre of B-Boying and the incredible new moves of those competing. “It was a very tough call, but Akorn won the battle with his consistent execution, originality and hunger in the heart”.

In the Wellington cypher the tension was obvious. Contestants fought their way through the tight circle around the dance floor, eager to show the judges their moves. However, for the three judges the final winner was obvious from the first round. Judge Swerv said, “It was pretty clear cut. I found it quite easy to pick - Grub-D came out top”.

Passionate and determined Grub-D was stoked to earn another place in the Asia Pacific qualifiers. “I was lucky enough to get into the top 16 last year at the qualifiers and I have been working really hard on improving my moves for the competition for this year, which paid off. The night was amazing. I’m so amped”.

B-boy pioneer and Red Bull BC One cypher judge Swerv says “It’s awesome that such a prestigious, global event has finally come to New Zealand. I’m glad that Red Bull came and put this on for us. Red Bull BC One is a big international event so to have it in a small country like New Zealand is awesome. I think it’s a really important thing that we continue this and help build and grow it throughout the country. We definitely have an international standard here”.

Akorn and Grub-D will now represent New Zealand in the next level of the competition, the BC One Asia Pacific Qualifier where they will battle fellow B-Boys from Australia, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, South Asia, Laos and Vietnam in an attempt to reach the BC One world final, this year held in Rio de Janerio.

You can check out all the photos at www.redbull.co.nz/bcone to see all of the action.

Notes:
B-Boying is form a type of Break dancing, typically danced to Hip Hop music.
The Red Bull BC One is the premiere competition for B-Boying and it consistently attracts the best dancers international.
Red Bull BC One was voted best B-Boy Event 2011 at the World of Dance Awards.
How the Red Bull BC One Works:
1. Cyphers: National preliminary events. The winners proceed to the Qualifiers.
2. Qualifiers: Regional events where the winners of the Cyphers from several countries battle each other for a place in the final.
3. Finals: The winners of the 6 Qualifiers, the officiating champion and 9 nominated B-Boys battle for the title of world champion.

ENDS

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