Breaking battle has arrived at the Olympics 2024, and it’s making waves. As the first battle kicked off, the crowd was met with a beat that instantly transported them back to the golden age of hip-hop, from none other than Shaquille O’Neal. The energy in the air was already electric, but when a familiar bass resonated, it wasn’t just any beat—it was a cultural flash point. What track could unite the worlds of hip-hop and the Olympics so perfectly?

The buzz around Breaking Battle’s Olympic debut gained added attention when Big Diesel’s voice boomed across Place de la Concorde. The track? “What’s Up Doc? (Can We Rock)” by Fu-Schnickens, starring O’Neal himself. This song, from the early ‘90s, set an appropriate tone for the clash of cultures—sports, music, and dance. J.E. Skeets, a respected voice in sports media, couldn’t control his excitement. “The first-ever breaking battle at the Olympics featured ‘What’s Up Doc?’ from Fu-Schnickens and @SHAQ. I’m hooked,” tweeted Skeets on Twitter.

The pre-qualifier took place between India Sarjoe of the Netherlands against the refugee team’s Manizha Talash who is originally from Afghanistan. B-Girl India with her power moves—headspins, air flares, and windmills made headlines by winning the first-ever breaking battle. Talash, however, brought something distinct to the floor. Besides her routine filled with top rocking and complex footwork, she unfurled a cape that integrated a striking visual statement – “Free Afghan Women.”

The stakes were higher as the round-robin phase unfolded. In this phase, four breakers will break off against each other one by one, where only two will emerge from each round-robin group before the quarterfinals and semifinals. Eventually, the final matchup will determine who emerges at the top at the end of the evening. But, before this, let’s look at how breaking works in the Olympics.

The rules and judging criteria for breaking in the Olympics

As breaking made its Olympic debut, how breakers were judged became a focal point of debate. The judging criteria were carefully created to ensure that every aspect of a breaker’s performance was evaluated fairly, considering both technical skill and artistic expression. These included five key criteria: technique, execution, musicality, originality, and vocabulary.

Each match in the Olympics consisted of breakers facing off in one-on-one matchups. The battles were split into three rounds, known as “throwdowns,” where each breaker had 60 seconds to showcase their skills. The music, selected by a DJ, was unknown to the breakers beforehand, adding an element of spontaneity and improvisation that is core to the culture of breaking.

The judges used a digital slider to score the breakers in each of the five categories. This real-time scoring allowed the judges to modify their evaluations as the performance developed, ensuring that every part of the routine was considered.

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As breaking debuts at the 2024 Olympics, there is nothing better than the mix of hip-hop culture with the precision of professional sports. From Shaquille O’Neal’s nostalgic beats to the intense battles on the floor, it is something that will cater to every audience. As a breaking battle is underway, share your thoughts in the comments below!

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.