AUSSIE MISSES OUT AS KOREAN B-BOY SPREADS HIS WINGS
On Wednesday, 5 November in the heart of Paris, Korean B-Boy Wing prevailed over 15 of the most talented dancers in the world, including Australian competitor B-Boy Nasa, to win the most important event on the B-Boying calendar, the 2008 Red Bull BC One break dance championships.
The sixteen B-Boys hailing from 12 different nations were battling each other like gladiators in the arena judged by an international jury of B-Boys with a long list of titles. Competing against the best B-Boys from around the world, Wing used a combination of stylish acrobatics and highly technical moves to defeat the favoured Taisuke from Japan in the finals. Ronnie, the 2007 champion from the U.S failed to meet expectations when he was defeated by newcomer Kolobok from the Ukraine.
B-Boy Nasa gave it his all against local favourite, French B-Boy Mounir who knocked Nasa out of the competition in just the first round. Nasa made a name for himself when he wowed the audience with his own style of drops, footwork, transitions and freezes – this is what sets Nasa’s style apart from the other dancers. All eyes were on Nasa as he unveiled his signature moves which include “The Gift” which involves a series of threads that give the illusion of a gift unwrapping and “Stress” which is a full body thread motion to a freeze.
In the end, it was Wing who stole the show with his lightening style and dazzling combinations. In the first round, he defeated South African B-Boy Benny, in the quarter finals French B-Boy Mounir with 4 votes against 1. Then in the hotly contested semi-finals, Wing showed the Ukrainian B-Boy Kolobok that he still had moves up his sleeve by throwing some complex combinations on the musical beats of DJ Tee.
US judge Ivan declared, “Throughout the whole competition, Wing showed a variety of creative moves while following the beat and keeping the battle interesting. Wing has a proud attitude in his battle.”
According to judge Lilou, the 2005 champion from France, “You could see the determination in Wing’s eyes.” He continued, “Being a judge at the event and sitting on the sidelines triggers great motivation to participate in next year’s Red Bull BC One and become the first judge ever to come back win. I am not ready to retire yet!”
Wing exults, “Winning Red Bull BC One is just the beginning. Now, my goal is to become the first B-Boy in the world to win this event twice. I am just warming up for next year’s event!”
For more information on Red Bull BC One or B-Boy Nasa, visit www.redbullbcone.com or www.redbullbcone.com/nasa