A breakdancing test event for China's 15th National Games concluded on August 26 at Guangzhou Sport University's Asian Games Basketball Arena. Thirty-seven young dancers from across Guangdong competed in individual battles, providing a preview of November's main competition.
Athletes executed gravity-defying moves—headspins, windmills, and one-handed freezes—syncing precisely with dynamic shifts in music. The arena's 1,200 spectators witnessed a fusion of power and creativity, as dancers combined technical precision with emotional storytelling through their routines. Judges scored performances based on technique, variety, execution, musicality, and originality.
Zhao Zujun, Cheng Zixuan, and He Rui claimed the top three spots in the men's division, while Fan Xiangning, Liao Yuwen, and Yang Yuanyuan led the women's category. During breaks, a cultural performance titled "Three Drums Revitalization" mesmerized the audience. It wove together four intangible cultural heritage dances: Yao ethnic long-drum routines, Zhuang bronze-drum ceremonies, Chaoxing Yingge martial arts, and the Southern lion dance—bridging tradition with urban street culture.
The Asian Games Basketball Arena, built for the 2010 Asian Games, proved ideal for breakdancing's spatial demands. Its 5,000-seat capacity and advanced acoustics received praise from athletes and judges. Organizers rigorously tested competition systems, volunteer coordination, and emergency protocols, addressing minor timing delays in scoring displays.
The test event confirmed Guangzhou's readiness to host the National Games' breakdancing finals on November 18-19.
Reporter: Feng Huiting
Photo: Guangzhou Daily
Editor: Huang Qini, James Campion, Shen He
