Breaking: B-Girls
3pm BBC1, Olympics Extra, Eurosport 2
Alamy
The only brand-new sport at Paris may not boast any British breakers, but it should still be an invigorating and popular addition to the roster. Unlike figure skating, where competitors can prepare routines to a specific piece of music, breakers must interpret and respond to music played by DJs on the day, where they will battle one other breaker in a series of alternating routines (or throw downs). Breakers are judged on six criteria: creativity, personality, technique, variety, performativity and musicality. The tournaments — starting with B-Girls today and B-Boys tomorrow — begin with round robins before progressing to straight knockouts. Lithuania’s Nicka and US breaker Victor are the respective favourites, although the Japanese trio of B-Boy Shigekix and B-Girls Ami and Ayumi will fancy their chances. GABRIEL TATE
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THREE STEPS TO BREAKING GLORY
1 INDIAN STEP
A foundational breaking move of top rock, or moves performed while standing, the Indian step (aka two step) involves crossing one leg in front of the other while spreading your arms.
2 BABY FREEZE
Mid-routine, breakers will come to a stop — or freeze — in an unusual position. So-called because it is easy to learn (but hard to master), the baby freeze supports the body with both arms and the side of the head.
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3 HEADSPIN
The down rock is where the big scores are made with gravity-defying spins, footwork, transitions and power moves performed on the floor. The headspin is in effect a spinning headstand and dates back to the era of silent films
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