Breaking
Breaking
It takes power to become a B-Girl champion, just ask Ayane
Discover how top Japanese B-Girl and Red Bull BC One world finalist Ayane is determined to battle her way to the Games.
Having started breaking at just 10 years old after witnessing prolific Japanese B-Girls Shie-Chan and Narumi tear up the floor during a battle in Osaka, Ayane knew immediately that she wanted to carve out her own legacy.
B-Girl Shie-Chan became her first teacher and before too long Ayane was developing her own dynamic style and making a name for herself on the breaking scene.
"I wanted to achieve what other B-Girls don't. I still do. But I also want to travel and engage in competitions as a professional athlete."
Watch Ayane in action at the Red Bull BC One 2020 World Final in the video below.
6 min
Ayane vs Kami – round of 8
B-Girls Ayane and Kami face off in a one-on-one battle for a chance to make it to the semi-finals.
From the get-go, Ayane executed power moves with ease, with her fierce athleticism catching the eye of a number of respected Japanese breakers. One of which was B-Girl Nagi, who pushed Ayane to new levels and proved that her power could give her the upper hand in any battle.
"The key to becoming a successful athlete and B-Girl is speed, strength and character," Ayane reveals. "I'm focused the most on my footwork and speed because many B-Girls tend to move slowly."
Since starting out, Ayane has secured plenty of accolades and won numerous titles. She was victorious in 'The Battle of The Year' 2018 B-Girl final and most recently made it to the semi-finals of the Red Bull BC One World Final 2020. She’s also cemented her status as one of Japan’s top B-Girls.
Ayane knows that experience is vital
© Little Shao/Red Bull Content Pool
"I'm lucky because what I love to do has become my job," she beams. "I train as much as possible because what you need to win is character, quality and control over your mind."
Now Ayane’s job could see her competing at the Games in France. And if anyone understands what it takes to compete on the biggest stage of all, it’s Ayane.
For me, the Games is one of my big goals
Not only did she inspire her younger brother Shigekix to follow in her footsteps, but she was with him floor side when he won the bronze medal in Buenos Aires in 2018. "Before the Youth Games, Shigekix and I practised like a real competition. We did three rounds each so many times."
Off the back of his success at the Youth Games, Shigekix's career blew up, as did Ayane's skillset, thanks to their shared competitive spirit and dedicated training regimes.
"Shigekix helps me a lot. He advises me about my new stuff and my rounds and I do the same to enhance his breaking. When we can't practice together, we sometimes send videos of new stuff to push each other harder," Ayane reveals.
On and off the floor, Ayane and Shigekix's support for each other runs deep. At the Red Bull BC One World Final, Ayane rushed the stage to congratulate her brother for becoming the youngest ever breaker to win the title, just minutes after she tirelessly battled her way to the semi-final of the competition.
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Now back in Tokyo, Ayane is busy training with the KAKB crew and KOSÉ 8ROCKS as she strives to take her breaking to the next level and ensure she competes at the Games. “For me, the Games is one of my big goals. Winning a medal would give me confidence and confidence makes me stronger. It'll also provide me with a chance to experience some amazing things.”
Over the past year, Ayane has already proved her unstoppable flex across a decent stint of prelims. "I practice every round like it's the real competition. I started last year. First the WDSF in Nanjing, then the WUG in Hungary and so on. There are many rounds and they're really tough. You need to have good physical strength. In the end, your ranking over the competition acts as a precursor to the Games.”
Ayane shows her acrobatic flex at the Red Bull BC One World Final 2020
© Little Shao/Red Bull Content Pool
The scene might still be divided about whether or not the technical judging and the Games’ platform is the right place for a culture that was born and thrived in the streets. But Ayane believes the addition of breaking is a huge positive. "In my opinion, the plus of breaking being added to the Games is big business. Since the Youth Games, you can already feel that it's impacted the scene in Japan. Companies are paying attention to breaking and the possibilities for kids, B-Boys and B-Girls to live like athletes have expanded."
"The possibility to become a professional dancer can be achieved more easily now," she explains. "On the other hand, when it comes to breaking at the Games, there may be negative pressure to win. And characteristics can be lost, I think."
What is clear is that breaking will be opened up to a new audience and Ayane has some advice for the next generation of breakers, adding: “Experience is the key to be strong."
