The breaking competition of the 15th National Games will start on Nov 18 at the Asian Games Basketball Gymnasium of Guangzhou Sport University. The two-day event will award the women's individual gold medal on the first day, followed by the men's individual gold medal on the second.

Originating in New York City during the 1970s, breaking is characterized by floor moves and spinning techniques. It has incorporated elements from Capoeira, gymnastics, and Chinese martial arts.

The dance style includes four main elements: top rock, footwork, freezes, and power moves. After making its Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 Games, breaking is evaluated on five standards: technique, variety, performance, musicality, and originality. It is also one of the few Olympic sports that permits athletes to compete under stage names.

The National Games breaking competition includes individual events for men and women, featuring 34 competitors. The top eight performers will be recognized, with the top three awarded medals — gold, silver, and bronze — and certificates of achievement.

Chinese breaking athlete Liu Qingyi, who secured the women's bronze medal at the Paris Olympics and became the first women's breaking gold medalist in Asian Games history, will represent Henan province. In the men's event, Qi Xiangyu from Jiangsu, a bronze medalist at the Hangzhou Asian Games and a Paris Olympian, is a top contender.

Liu Qingyi performs during the women's breaking event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/chinadaily.com.cn]