Young hip-hop talent columérin were crowned world champions in Japan earlier this month. A look back at an exciting human and collective adventure.
In the heart of spring 2022, the Break’in Kids group of the Break’in School dance school became French Champion in Montpellier, thus opening the doors to the World Championship. In December, the nine young dancers aged 12 to 16 flew to Okinawa (Japan), and returned with the most prestigious title, that of World Champions, at the end of the legendary “Battle Of the Year international”.
Discussion with Abdel Chouari, director of the Break’in School, quadruple breakdance world champion, who has been training them for several years.
What was the journey of these young people?
They come from Colomiers or the metropolis of Toulouse. I had them from the “beginner” level to the Break’in School that I created in 2008. Our plan to participate in the French championship “took over” in 2020, during confinement. They trained hard, hyper motivated, on video and then live when possible. This very first preparation made them progress a lot. In Montpellier they won 2 titles, “Young” French Champions and Best Choreographic Show, and entered the Breakdance World Championship!
How did they prepare?
The technique is obviously important, as is the work of course: it’s a “sick” investment! The boys and their parents, the Break’in School staff for the physical preparation and coordination of everything, all gave their best. Having competed at this level myself, I also knew that the collective, the cohesion, the energy released by the group is essential. I insisted on these points and the strategy paid off as we won unanimously by the jury, against the Japanese who are still considered the best in the “young” category. Furthermore, this victory also allowed Break’in Kids to present their show on the mythical stage of the Okinawa Arena, during the adult competition. They finished in 10th position, just short of qualifying for the quarter-finals, it’s extraordinary.
And now ?
They want to continue this momentum, travel to match the best, keep the title for at least two years and represent France and our city at the highest level!
And now, why not dream of the Olympic Games…
This title obviously arouses the requests of many partners and sponsors, in particular Reebok, the Occitanie Region and the City of Colomiers, who have contributed financially to the travel of the competitors and their companions in Japan. Abdel Chouari “thanks them from the bottom of his heart for their commitment: other partners are also ready to support us until the 2024 Paris Olympics, and this is obviously essential! Our young people are enthusiastic and ready to give their all to access them. They have passed months training, about 25 hours a week on average, weekends included, and their parents have already made a lot of effort. Now we have to capitalize on our experience, mobilize ourselves on the essentials and go back to work, making sure it is compatible with their studies, the school is important!”
The next few months will be dedicated to retrospective analyzes and “the technique”, because Abdel is maturing another parallel project: “My goal would be to bring together “my adults” (adults), and the Kids, and why not me too, to appear in a major league. That would be our dream!” Meanwhile, the holidays have come at the right time to return to a more reasonable pace and savor the victory. At the dawn of the Paris 2024 Olympics where Breakdance will make its first appearance, it would be very surprising if some hadn’t spent a few nights imagining the best outcome of their adventure!
