china's liu qingyi seeks historic gold as breaking makes olympic debut
china's liu qingyi competes in the women's breaking final at the 19th asian games in hangzhou, china, october 7, 2023. /cfp
breaking, a captivating fusion of music, art, and competitive sports, is poised to make its historic debut at the paris summer olympics. for liu qingyi, a teenage chinese prodigy who has already made a name for herself on the global stage, it signifies a chance to move one step closer to her dreams.
at the age of 10, liu came across a group of people dancing on the streets while shopping with her parents in their hometown in henan province. mesmerized by the vibrant energy exuded by the dancers, she immediately expressed her desire to learn street dancing upon returning home.
although liu's parents had little understanding of what street dancing entailed, they wholeheartedly supported their daughter's passion. over six years of rigorous training, she showcased a clear talent for the sport.
liu had previously dabbled in activities like taekwondo, guitar and boxing, which laid a solid foundation for the uniqueness and finesse she brings to her breaking performances.
in september 2021, liu made a remarkable breakthrough by securing the first-ever women's breaking title at the national games, earning her a spot on the chinese national team.
liu's rise to worldwide prominence came at the age of 16, when she claimed the gold medal at the outbreak 2022 street dance competition. this milestone victory not only marked a significant moment for chinese breaking, but also made liu the first b-girl from the country to capture an international title.
she went on to solidify her reputation by winning the inaugural gold medal in women's breaking at the 19th asian games in hangzhou, ensuring her qualification for the upcoming olympics.
reflecting on her achievements, liu told the china media group (cmg), "i'm extremely happy to have won this championship, as it is a testament to the year-long preparation i have put in. the limited time for asian games preparation and adjustments posed a tremendous challenge, both physically and mentally. i am grateful that i persevered until the end."
despite her young age, liu has demonstrated a level of maturity and composure beyond her years. when asked about her calm attitude, she said, "for me, winning and losing are both learning experiences. dancing is an endless journey of self-improvement. i don't believe that the world will collapse if i lose, nor that everything will be perfect if i win."
now, the stage is set for liu to leave her mark at the iconic la concorde venue in the heart of paris. with such a unique setting awaiting her, liu is filled with anticipation for the games.
"at the olympics, there is only one competition, so there's no need to hold back in terms of technique," she said. "only by giving it my all do i have a chance to achieve good results. i hope that on the stage in paris, i can unleash my full potential and live up to the training and preparation i've put in over the past few years."
