Breaking
Breaking
Who are the invited b-boys at Red Bull BC One 2024?
Get the lowdown on the breakers who'll be battling for victory at this year's Red Bull BC One World Final in Rio de Janeiro.
At the Red Bull BC One World Final in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on December 6, the Top 16 contenders consist of the invited dancers, who go directly to the World Final stage, and the winners of the Last Chance Cypher – where the national champs compete to advance. Below are the wildcard dancers for the Red Bull BC One 2024 World Final with more names to be added as they're announced.
01
Menno
Menno dances in Rio de Janeiro
© Little Shao/Red Bull Content Pool
Back on my fave stage in one of my fave places in the world.
Born and raised in the city of Tilburg, in the Netherlands, and now living in Rotterdam, Menno started breaking when he was around the age of 12 years old, having two older cousins he looked up to that were both breaking.
Having the belief that “research and play is the best formula to create,” Menno is respected worldwide for creating his own original breaking style. He has also won almost every major solo title there in breaking, cementing himself as one of the most accomplished competitive b-boys in the world.
In 2019 Menno became the first breaker ever to win the Red Bull BC One World Final three times. If he can win the 2024 world final, Menno will be the only breaker in Red Bull BC One history to have won the world final four times.
02
Zooty Zoot
Zooty Zoot during his judge's showcase
© Spin Huang/Red Bull Content Pool
I'm going to prepare hard for the Red Bull BC One World Final.
Representing South Korea, Zooty Zoot is a 29-year-old breaker known for his unique style, which he describes as “my dance is like a drawing.” A member of the Jinjo, Baseus and Seoul Skillz crews, he's been breaking since 2007 and is celebrated for his versatility, blending all elements of breaking seamlessly. His signature move, the Leg Wrap Airflare, highlights his mastery of both power and originality.
Zooty Zoot’s journey has taken him across the global stage, securing notable victories, including the 2024 Japan Undisputed World Final Crew Battle and the 2024 Taipei City Crew Battle. His dedication to pushing boundaries in breaking is fueled by his crew’s support, his love for gaming, where he's a jungler in League of Legends, and the playful spirit of his three cats, whom he credits as his inspiration.
Determined to make his mark, Zooty Zoot is gearing up for his debut at the Red Bull BC One World Final, preparing rigorously to showcase his skill. Reflecting on his motivation, he says, “I’ve prepared hard and want to enjoy the stage of Red Bull BC One World Final.” For Zooty Zoot, this battle represents both a celebration of his journey and a platform to display his passion and dedication to the world.
03
Klash
B-Boy Klash
© Red Bull China
I will prove myself on that stage.
Born in the city of Alexandria, in Egypt, Klash started breaking when he was eight years old, inspired to become a b-boy by seeing people dancing in the streets of his city.
Supported by his crew and guided by lessons from past injuries, Klash has crafted signature moves that are known by dancers around the globe – a feat he once thought beyond reach.
Like many, it's been Klash’s dream to battle at the Red Bull BC One World Final, and he says that being able to, “show what I'm doing and loving at the 2024 World Final, motivates me to be a champion.” He's also someone who likes to speak through his actions, saying, “I will prove myself on that stage.”
04
Robb
Robb from the Style Invaders crew
© Little Shao
I'm here to represent my history and my perspective of breaking. And I want to win. For the homies!
Robb started breaking when he was eight years old, saying that it was his mum who got him into the dance. His first breaking teacher was B-Boy Alain, an OG breaker from Ghent, in Belgium. Robb then went on to be mostly taught by his crew member, B-Boy Morris, also from Belgium.
Robb says that for him, “breaking is a balance and fight between two things: foundation and creativity. You have to have a certain skill in foundation for me to consider you a breaker, but you also have to reach further and make your own out of that foundation.”
When Robb battles on the world final stage, he says he wants to shows, “my perspective, my crew's perspective and all of the inspirations that came before me.”
05
Alvin
B-Boy Alvin defies gravity in NYC
© Little Shao/Red Bull Content Pool
I'm preparing to be able to keep my energy and stamina high, and plan to create epic moments so that each battle will be historical.
Alvin was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, grew up in Valencia, Venezuela, from the age of 4, and currently lives back in Colombia, in the city of Medellín. He started breaking when he was nine years old, mentored by a b-boy named H2. Now, he has b-boys Shekinah and Lil G as mentors.
Alvin has developed a high level, power moves-based style where he has the phenomenal ability to perform crazy blow ups with unbelievable control and musicality.
This is Alvin’s second world final wild card, which he says, “means a lot to me because I feel that I have continued fighting for my dreams.” Having gained experience on the world final stage, this time Alvin says, “I'm preparing to be able to keep my energy and stamina high, and plan to create epic moments so that each battle will be historical.”
06
Victor
Victor returns to the Red Bull BC One World Final after winning in 2022
© Little Shao/Red Bull Content Pool
I love the feeling of competitive breaking.
B-Boy Victor, is a Mexican-American breaker from Florida who was introduced to the art of breaking by his father and uncle (both breaking pioneers) at the young age of six.
He has been breaking for 20 years and boasts numerous impressive achievements, including having his own signature move named after him, becoming a two-time Red Bull BC One World champion, being on the cover of the New York Times, making an appearance at the Emmy Awards and writing history in Paris as a Team USA Olympian and bronze-medal winner.
Despite his victories, Victor has also experienced plenty of set-backs, but has always persevered and stayed positive “I loved losing because it pushed me to do more. I remember training hard, going to all these events and not placing, and I’m like, 'Ugh, I gotta go back and train harder.' Then I’d go into another event and place but lose. I’d be like, ‘I gotta get better.' The more I started losing, the better I started getting."
With that mindset Victor is returning to the world stage to take a shot at his third Red Bull BC One title.
07
Samuka
Samuka at Outbreak Europe
© Little Shao
I want to show the world that the impossible is an opportunity to explore.
Samuka was born in Recanto das Emas - Distrito Federal, Brazil. Growing up, he was a championship basketball player with dreams of becoming a professional soccer player. However, both of those were cut short when he lost his leg due to cancer. After he lost his leg, he felt lost himself, depressed and excluded. Thankfully, he was inspired to start breaking after seeing Tommy Gun LY from ILL Abilities breaking with one leg and began believing that his body could do the same.
Samuka's journey is a testament to remarkable personal power and determination. Still, he credits many dancers for playing a crucial role in his journey. His greatest inspiration initially came from Robin and Yuri from DF Zulu and his other friends from the crew, who visited him at home and encouraged him to pursue breaking.
This year, 2024, will be the first time Samuka battles at a Red Bull BC One World Final, but it certainly is not his first time on stage. His proudest achievements have been performing on the world stage and the Paralympics, breaking on America's Got Talent. Samuka beams that traveling worldwide and inspiring people with his dance is a dream come true.
08
Quake
B-Boy Quake at the Red Bull BC One Cypher TWN
© Jasmine Chang/Red Bull Content Pool
Red Bull BC One is the coolest stage for me, so I've got to win it.
Sun Chen, aka Quake, was born in Hsinchu City, Taiwan, the same day an earthquake called the 921 Earthquake Taiwan took place. His breaking name is a mix of that, his Chinese name (Chen), which has the same meaning, and his style of breaking, which he refers to as "Quaking the floor."
Today Quake lives in Taipei City, where he's attending college and training in the national sports centre in Kaohsiung as a breaking athlete representing Taiwan. He's a member of the City4KGB and SightTeam crew, who he loves and thinks are amazing people.
In the future, he wants to promote the breaking scene in Taiwan and showcase how amazing breaking is from both the athletic side and as an art form – as well as showing how strong the community is. Quake would also like to create a breaking and arts foundation or school for kids who have dreams they want to achieve.
09
Hiro10
Hiro10 is known for gravity-defying acrobatics
© Jason Halayko/Red Bull Content Pool
I just want to show myself to the world and want everyone to know who Bboy Hiro10 is.
Born and raised in Kanazawa, Japan, Hiro10 started breaking when he was nine years old. He was inspired to take up the dance when he followed his sister to her hip-hop class to try it out and saw a breaking class taking place in the same studio. Shocked by seeing kids doing head spins, he says he knew straight away, "I want to do this!"
Mentored by B-Boy Katsu One, Hiro10 says Katsu helped him develop his mentality and the way he thinks about breaking. What drives Hiro10 is how much fun breaking is for him, all the good, real people he's met through the scene and how breaking has taken him all around the world.
When Hiro10 steps onto the world final stage, he says: "I want to show my style, energy and all the moments of enjoyment. Honestly, I just want to show myself to the world and want everyone to know who Bboy Hiro10 is.”
10
Leony
Leony does an airchair in Zurich prior to the Red Bull BC One World Final
© Little Shao/Red Bull Content Pool
The belt is the only thing missing from my collection.
Born and raised in Belem, the capital of Brazil's Para state, Leony started breaking when he was 12, introduced to the dance by his cousin. Coming up, he never had a specific teacher, but was helped a lot by his crew when it came to learning.
Through breaking, Leony has learned to stop caring about the opinions of others, is proud that he gets to show the world the style of breaking from the northern region of Brazil and is looking forward to the day he gets to dance alongside his son at an event.
Leony says that receiving a wildcard for the 2024 world final is, “realization and confirmation that I am on the right path to being the best in the world." To prepare he's been training a lot and focused on improving his best breaking skills. When he gets onto the world final stage, Leony says he wants to show the world, "the potential that breakers in Brazil have, especially breakers from the northern region of the country."
11
Khalil
Khalil won the Last Chance Cypher at the Red Bull BC One 2023 Camp Paris
© Little Shao
I want to put my name in the Red Bull BC One history books.
Khalil was born in the small French city of Sète and grew up in Montpellier. He started breaking at 11 years old after seeing b-boys dancing in the streets of his neighborhood and then – even though he didn't actually want to go, his mother took him to Battle of the Year – in 2002, when it came to his city. That was the first time Khalil saw a breaking competition and he fell in love with the art form. After that, he began to connect with the b-boys in his neighborhood.
Khalil has learned that you need to enjoy everything about your breaking or else, he believes, "you’ll dance with fear." What drives his passion, he says, is that, “breaking is unlimited, you can always create a new path, threads and moves. That’s what gives me motivation every day. It's an endless process you can always express yourself through."
Motivated to the win prestigious championship Red Bull BC One belt and show new moves at the 2024 World Final, when asked how it felt to once again receive a wildcard, Khalil said: "It means a lot to me. It’s my second wildcard and I don't want to waste it. I have a chance to win the biggest 1on1 competition in the breaking scene and I want to put my name in the Red Bull BC One history books."
12
Dias
Dias is the champion of the first-ever Red Bull BC One Footworkerz Battle
© Ghosto
I'll show everyone my fresh breaking style.
From the Kazakhstan capital city, Astana, Dias started breaking when he was 10, inspired when he saw guys breaking at his school and in his neighborhood. Liking what he saw, Dias started to practice the moves and learn from different videos. He then went on to be taught and influenced by B-Boy Dom from the Simple System crew.
Through breaking, Dias has learned that the most important thing is to, "stay yourself and listen to your heart." He's also most proud of being able to enter contests worldwide and win big battles representing his crew, Predatorz, who he says, "are my brothers in spirit who give me a big boost."
Dias has been watching the Red Bull BC One World Final since he started breaking and now he has the chance to compete in the competition. He says his motivation is "to show everyone my fresh breaking style."
