Japan Claims First-Ever Women's Breakdancing Gold

Aug 10, 2024 | News On Japan

PARIS, Aug 10, 2024 (News On Japan) - In a historic moment for the sport, AMI, a 25-year-old dancer from the Good Foot Crew, secured the gold medal in the women's breakdancing event, which was newly introduced in this year's competition. This victory crowns her as the first-ever Olympic champion in the event.

AMI, whose real name is Ami Yuasa, has previously won the world championship titles in 2019 and 2022. She advanced smoothly through the preliminary rounds with three straight wins, followed by dominant performances in the quarterfinals and semifinals, earning her spot in the final.

In the final, AMI faced 17-year-old NICKA from Lithuania in a three-round battle. In the first round, AMI showcased seamless footwork and powerful spins. The second round saw her using the space creatively, freezing her moves with precision, drawing applause from the audience. By the third and final round, AMI displayed rapid footwork transitions leading into dynamic spins, sealing her victory with a perfect 3-0 score.

After the battle, AMI reflected on her performance, saying, "I just wanted to enjoy the final and give it my all." She added with a smile, "It still feels surreal; I’m kind of floating right now." Expressing her gratitude, AMI acknowledged the support she received, stating, "The cheers from everyone, the support from my family who came to watch, and the backing of Team Japan really made this possible."

Breakdancing, which originated from the hip-hop culture of New York in the 1970s, is known for its high degree of freedom in performance. In this competition, dancers faced off in one-on-one battles, improvising to music played by a DJ. The judges assessed the performances based on five criteria: technical skill, variety, execution, originality, and musicality.

With this victory, AMI has not only etched her name in history but has also elevated the profile of breakdancing on the global stage.

Source: TBS

Typhoon No. 9 Batters Okinawa as Extreme Heat Grips Japan

Typhoon No. 9 (Bavi) battered Okinawa on July 11 with destructive winds, torrential rain, widespread power outages and extensive transport disruptions, while much of the rest of Japan experienced dangerous heat, including the highest temperature recorded nationwide this year.

Typhoon No. 9 Disruptions to Continue on Some Okinawa Routes Sunday

Transport disruptions caused by Typhoon No. 9 (Bavi) are expected to continue on July 12, with airlines warning that some flights serving Okinawa’s outlying islands may still be delayed or canceled even after the storm has moved away from the prefecture.

JAXA Successfully Lands Reusable Rocket Test Vehicle

JAXA successfully landed a small experimental vehicle for a reusable rocket on July 11, marking a step toward technology that could increase the frequency of space launches while helping reduce costs.

Bear Sightings Surge With 50 Cases in Iwate in One Week

A wave of bear sightings across Japan has forced the cancellation of traditional summer events, while one animal entered a home and came within inches of a sleeping resident's face.

Brutal Heat to Grip Japan as Heatstroke Risk Climbs

Japan is expected to remain under intense summer heat through next week as the Pacific high-pressure system continues to dominate the country, bringing widespread temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius and increasing the risk of heatstroke.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Sports NEWS

Koshien Rivals Rally in High School Baseball Thriller

Waseda Jitsugyo held off a ninth-inning rally by Hachioji to win a first-round showdown between two schools with Koshien experience in the West Tokyo high school baseball tournament on July 10.

Japan Coach Says Day Will Come When National Team Wins World Cup

Japan national soccer team coach Hajime Moriyasu, captain Ko Itakura of Ajax, Daizen Maeda of Celtic, Yukinari Sugawara of Bremen and Japan Football Association President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto visited Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Yohei Matsumoto on July 8 following Japan's campaign at the FIFA World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Ohtani Becomes First Japanese Player to Hit 300 MLB Homers

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers became the first Japanese player to reach 300 career home runs in Major League Baseball, hitting a solo shot in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies in Los Angeles on July 7.

210 Million Yen Colt Shonan Galleon Wins in Record Debut at Hakodate

Shonan Galleon, a 210 million yen colt by Flightline, made a striking debut at Hakodate Racecourse on Sunday, July 5, winning the fifth race over 1,800 meters on turf in record time for a 2-year-old on the course.

Two Yokozuna Perform Ceremonial Ring Entry at Atsuta Shrine

Two yokozuna seeking to rebound after time away from the ring drew loud cheers from about 5,000 spectators on July 4 as they performed the traditional ceremonial ring entry at Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya ahead of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.

King Is Back: Conor McGregor is the new 1xBet ambassador

Some names change the game, and Conor McGregor is one of them.

Martinelli Breaks Japan Hearts as Brazil Win 2-1 in World Cup Thriller

Japan’s World Cup campaign ended in the cruelest possible fashion on June 29, as Gabriel Martinelli scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time to give Brazil a 2-1 victory over the Samurai Blue in their knockout match in Houston. Japan had led in the first half and were still level at 1-1 in the final moments, but Martinelli’s late strike sent Brazil into the Round of 16 and eliminated Japan from the tournament.

Athletes to Stay Across Containers, Cruise Ship and Hotels for Asian Games

The Asian Games, opening on September 19, will be held without a traditional athletes village, with organizers instead planning to accommodate athletes and officials in container-style housing, a cruise ship and hotels across Nagoya and surrounding prefectures.

< 2 3 4 5 >