By Julie Jackson
The Red Bull BC One is the most highly acclaimed one-on-one b-boy competition in the world. The annual showdown attracts some of the world’s best breakers for a shot at the World Finals Champion title, with this year’s 10th anniversary event being held in Seoul next month.
“After years of participating in this event and going all over the world to compete in the battles, finally this time it’s going to be in our country,” said local b-boy Wing at a press conference in Seoul on Wednesday.
Wing is one of the 16 competitors from around the world ― Colombia, Italy, Morocco, Ukraine, Brazil, The United States and Japan ― who have fought and won the regional finals, earning them the right to strut their moves and battle it out on the world stage against some of the best breakers in the global b-boy scene.
“Because I will be representing Korea, I’m a bit nervous,” said Wing, who won the Red Bull BC One world finals in France in 2008. “But I am also very proud and I hope I will be able to repeat my success here.”
“I’m glad it (the Red Bull BC One) is being held here in Korea where the dance is respected,” said American b-boy Roxrite, the 2011 Red Bull BC One world champion. “It has grown to be the biggest one-on-one b-boy championship in the world ― basically the heavyweight championship fight of breaking.”
The 10th annual BC One competition this year in Seoul is expected to be one of the fiercest and most intense competitions in its near-decade long run. All eight previous World Champions, including two-time title winner Lilou, are returning to battle for the crown again. Despite the fun and excitement of watching the dancers flaunt their skills on stage, at the heart of it all, it is still an all-out battle that leaves only one with the bragging rights and the title of champion.
“Getting the chance to actually come back and get a shot at all the champions, to me, that’s what gives me the fire. … It gives you the desire to show the world that you still have what it takes to hang with the best of them,” Roxrite explained.
“I think that in itself tells you what this event is going to be about this year. Because, just like everyone else, I’m here to win.”
The Red Bull BC One 2013 Seoul World Finals will be held on Nov. 30 at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium.
(juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)