Breaking Festival unites Brazilian and international athletes in Rio
Breaking do Verão (Summer Breaking), the largest festival celebrating this dance style—now an Olympic sport starting with Paris 2024—kicks off this Thursday (Jan. 16) at Fundição Progresso in downtown Rio de Janeiro and runs until Saturday (Jan. 18).The event will feature 32 athletes, including 16 b-boys and 16 b-girls (or breakers). Among the b-boys, the standout is Frenchman Dany Dann, a silver medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Also making a mark is Leony from Pará, a member of the Brazilian national team and champion of the inaugural Breaking do Verão.Among the b-girls, international stars include Russia's Kastet, a two-time Summer Breaking champion, and India, a Dutchwoman who placed fourth at Paris 2024. Leading the Brazilian contenders is Mini Japa, the current national champi...