US B-Girls Fall Short in Historic Olympic Breaking Debut

Breakers captivated the audience with stunning displays of headspins, windmills, and backflips during an intense three-hour round-robin tournament in Paris.

PARIS, France — A significant setback faced the U.S. in the debut of breaking at the Olympics on Friday. Both American b-girls, Logistx and Sunny, were eliminated in the first round, marking a tough day for the nation credited with birthing hip-hop culture. This event could be breaking’s sole appearance in the Games, with no plans for its inclusion in Los Angeles 2028.

B-girl Logistx, known legally as Logan Edra, and b-girl Sunny, or Sunny Choi, did not make it past the first round despite their top international rankings. B-girls from the Netherlands, China, Lithuania, France, Japan, and Ukraine dominated the competition, advancing to the quarterfinals. The round-robin format cut the field from 16 participants.

Logistx reflected on her participation, stating, “I feel like I still shined and represented the dance. It was a huge platform, and I’m happy we made it here.”

Her Olympic journey was fraught with challenges, including illness that isolated her from other athletes in the Olympic Village post-opening ceremony. Despite these obstacles, she was ready to compete.

“I’m proud of myself. Life’s been challenging, but I’ve pushed beyond my limits,” she added.

A nine-judge panel, all accomplished b-boys and b-girls, evaluated performances using the Trivium system, assessing technique, vocabulary, execution, musicality, and originality, each weighted equally.

One competitor, b-girl Syssy from France, expressed her delight: “I’m thrilled to be competing here. The audience’s support was incredible, and I can’t wait for tonight.” The crowd’s enthusiasm was palpable, amplifying her every move.

Throughout the event, breakers executed intricate routines starting with “toprocking” before transitioning to floor-based footwork. DJs added an element of surprise by spinning records behind the judges, ensuring each performance was dynamic and unique.

The judging area featured a circular floor designed to resemble a record, with a boombox replica nearby, celebrating the musical roots of breaking. This setup highlighted the significance of the breakbeat, where DJs loop the beat for dancers.

Breaking’s scoring system, rooted in its artistic origins, uses a sliding scale to adjust points in real-time, reflecting the performance’s quality across various criteria. Emcees animated the crowd, responding to and amplifying breakers’ signature moves.

B-girl India from the Netherlands, or India Sardjoe, topped her group in the initial phase. She bested refugee team member b-girl Talash in the first Olympic breaking battle.

Manizha Talash, an Afghan b-girl, secured a spot in the event following a late addition approved by the International Olympic Committee. This move recognized her defiance of Taliban restrictions.

Sardjoe began her routine with power moves, while Talash focused on toprocking and footwork, later unveiling a cape inscribed with “Free Afghan Women.”

The advancing b-girls will compete in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final face-off to crown the champion by evening’s end.

The event’s excitement soared with a surprise appearance by American rapper Snoop Dogg, who entered the stadium to his hit “Drop it Like it’s Hot.” His arrival energized the stands, setting the stage for an electrifying night.