Hong Kong breakdancers dream of the world stage

South China Morning Post

20 hours ago

Sze Kwong-yik is part of a group of Hong Kong breakdancers who want to show the city's talent to the world.
Known as B-boy Sosze, the 29-year-old has been breaking for nearly 18 years. He is one of six male breakers on the Hong Kong team that is hoping for a spot in the 2026 Asian Games.
Sze said the sport could be a lifeline for some young people in Hong Kong.
'Breaking gave us focus; it kept us grounded … It taught us discipline and life lessons we'd never have learned otherwise,' he said.
Learning from the best
More than 100 breakdancers from 20 countries came together for a showdown at Hong Kong's largest breakdancing event in March.
The competition was organised by UTLR852 Breaking Club, which is based in Hong Kong. It was judged by Olympic gold medallist Philip Kim – also known as Phil Wizard – and Narumi, Team Japan's head coach for the Paris Olympics.
With intricate footwork, powerful moves and head spins, the event was a place for B-boys and B-girls from around the world to connect and battle.
It was also a chance for local breakers to learn from international dancers.
'Many of these international dancers – some of them world champions – are on another level. We can absorb so much from them,' Sze said.
B-boy Child Kin at this year's UTLR2025: The Comeback Kidz, Hong Kong's largest breakdancing event. Photo: Handout
More than just a dance
The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris was the first time that breaking was an official Olympic event. This competitive dance sport combines artistry, rhythm and acrobatic moves. It began in the 1970s in New York, the United States.
'With the Olympics … more people understand breaking now, and more kids are getting into it,' said 24-year-old B-boy Lai Tsz-kin. 'There's more attention, support and respect for what we do.'
Also known as B-boy Child Kin, Lai began breaking at the age of 11. He learned about the sport when he saw a group of teens spinning on their heads on a basketball court.
'Everyone has their own style, and the way you dance says, 'This is me.' That's what makes it so challenging – and why I'm still passionate about it,' Lai said.
Sze started breaking because of an online dance battle game called Audition Online.
'I saw these cartoon characters spinning so impressively, and I thought, 'There's no way real people can do that,'' he recalled.
Then, he came across Lollipop, a famous Taiwanese boy band that had breakdancers.
'Seeing them spin just as amazingly made me realise it was possible – and that's what sparked my interest,' he said. 'We use different parts of our bodies to create movements – things you'd never do in everyday life.'
'Creating new moves … is what's kept me breaking ever since,' he added.