Breaking for gold in Morocco

Breaking, a dance style that rose out of hip hop culture in the US in the 1970s, is set to feature in the Paris Olympics in 2024. In preparation for the prestigious event and to get the chance to break for a gold medal, African competitors faced off in the first ever World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF) African Breaking Competition.

The competition held in Rabat, Morocco, included B-boys and B-girls, as the dancers are known, from across the continent. B-girl Courtnaé Paul's from South Africa.

Courtnaé Paul: "This is my first time in Morocco. I'm very excited to be here. I've been on the WDSF journey for the last three years. I've won my nationals twice. I went to Seoul to compete, I just came back from Japan. So, this is a really big one for me and yeah, I am hoping to bring it home."

Breaking involves acrobatic movements, stylised footwork and great strength. The DJ, who 'breaks' the music by looping or chaining tracks together, also plays a vital role. Although breaking's roots are firmly linked to hip hop music, break music now includes funk, soul, disco, electro and jazz funk. Competitions, like the one held in Rabat, are divided into battles between two B-boys or B-girls trying to outdo each other with their moves.

However, the breakers maintain a deep sense of respect and friendship amongst themselves. B-boy JC Kanane from the Democratic Republic of the Congo loves the sense of community.

JC Kanane: "To meet dancers from different countries is already a good thing, because there are competitors from Angola, the Ivory Coast, Morocco, Algeria and Nigeria. So we meet here, we're united. It also allows us to get to know each other as dancers and it creates a union between us as a community. So, for me it's a pleasure to be here."

But we'll have to wait until 2024 to see who wins the first breaking gold medal.

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