Australian Breaking community chasing Brisbane 2032 Olympic comeback

The Australian breaking community is chasing an Olympic comeback at the Brisbane 2032 Games and the world’s best have been drafted to help make this dream a reality.

The Australian Breaking community want to make an Olympic comeback for the Brisbane 2032 Games and have drafted in the world’s best to elevate and improve their sport after the Raygun fallout from the Paris Olympics.

Breaking’s Olympic debut in Paris was overshadowed by the performance of Australia’s own Rachael Gunn, otherwise known as Raygun, who became a viral sensation for her three performances.

But it looked as though it might be one and done for the new sport with the confirmation well before the Paris Games that it would not be a part of LA 2028.

However, the Australian community remains optimistic that there is a massive audience and interest in the sport and they want to get it back into the Olympics.

Rachael Gunn became a viral sensation at the Paris Olympics. Picture: Odd Andersen/AFP

“The ultimate goal is really to try and get breaking back into the Olympics in 2032,” Lowe Napalan, president of AUSBreaking said.

“And in the lead up to that, we’re trying to get across other games as well, like the recent confirmation of being in the Asian Games.

“I’ve been in touch with some of the younger kids (after Paris) and it’s interesting to see how their interest has changed from a dance aspect to, ‘Oh wow, you can actually become an Olympian’. Dealing with that is actually quite cool.

“(The biggest challenge) is just the funding aspect, because every country is so different. So, if we’re successful in gaining that sponsorship or partnership outside of government/Olympic grants, I think it would make it a higher success rate to go and get into 2032.”

As a result, AUSBreaking has collaborated with Japan to host a three-day camp this week to help pass on skills to some of Australia’s most promising stars.

Raygun performs at the Paris Olympics. Picture: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Japan’s B-girl Ami took out the gold in the women’s category in Paris, while her compatriot Ayumi also finished fifth. In the men’s category, Shigekix narrowly missed out on the medals for Japan with a fourth-placed finish.

Japan team coach Katsuyuki Ishikawa will be in attendance for the camp to pass on his expertise. Also in Sydney for the week will be America’s Jeffrey Louis who finished in fifth place at Paris.

“Because Japan’s such a powerhouse in the worldwide breaking circuit we have contacts there and we were able to organise something for our youth breakers here in Australia,” Napalan said.

“Other than witnessing the top level of the Japanese breakers in person, I think it’s going to be great to see how they actually train.

“This is probably going to be their first time, and maybe potentially the only time, some of these kids will see international breakers actually in a training environment. And it’s going to be unique to see how much hard work they put in compared to what they may think is hard work here.”

Japan's Ami Yuasa, known as Ami, won gold at the Paris Olympic Games. Picture: Odd Andersen/AFP

Ishikawa said it was important to help grow the sport of Breaking in Australia.

“Australia has high-level breakers and a lot of potential in the next generation to represent internationally with the right training, support and mindset,” Ishikawa added.

“We look forward to working with Australian breakers to create a better future for breaking so there will be more recognition, opportunities and support.”

While the focus in Australia was understandably on Raygun post the Olympics, Napalan believes that there are so many encouraging signs for breaking going forward.

That includes teenager Jeff Dunne, who competed in Paris as J-Attack, being invited to compete in several international events on the back of his impressive Olympics performance.

J-Attack was overshadowed by Raygun at the Olympics but has enjoyed himself on the international circuit since. Picture: Getty Images

But he knows the only way for Dunne and others to continue their growth in the sport is to find a way for breaking to become a sustainable career for all, and he hopes this week’s camp is the first step in that direction.

“With J-Attack getting invited to events, it opens kids eyes and hopes,” Napalan said. “It’s like, ‘Oh yes if we work hard and get good, we can travel overseas, experience cultures and different events’.

“Our objective is to find more sustainable opportunities with breaking in general. In Japan, their breakers get paid to train and compete, so that’s the ultimate goal.

“It’s so that someone can become a breaker and not just perform at theatres as a form of payment. You actually get paid and flown overseas to compete. That’s the dream for most breakers.”

Originally published as Australian Breaking community chasing Brisbane 2032 Olympic comeback