2024-04-08 14:49:37
Mindaugas Bružas, director of the Break League of the Lithuanian Sports Dance Federation – Bboy M, says that it is important that there are break clubs and coaches in many cities of the country: “We can’t say that break is new in Lithuania – it was organized already in the mid-1980s, back in the Soviet era, I would say the legendary break festival “Papuga”.
Probably because the roots of this dance and sport go back several decades, there are enthusiasts and trainers all over Lithuania.
This year, the Break League started organizing competitions according to a certain system, and even we were surprised that we organized competitions with the help of local organizers in Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda – we are planning to do it in Šiauliai soon.”
The qualifying series break competition is new
Speaking about the new competition system, M. Bružas indicated that previously all breakers registered in the federation could participate in the Lithuanian Break Championship, but all competitions started with the selection rounds; therefore, the day was really long for the dancers of some groups.
“This year, you can participate in the qualifying series and, if you do well there, you can go directly to the playoffs in the Lithuanian championship, avoiding the selection,” said the head of the league.
Two qualifying series break competitions already took place in March in Kaunas and Klaipėda. “In Kaunas, we organized them together with the studio Planet 9, and in Klaipėda together with the dance club Žingsnis.”
The winners of both competitions in the series automatically enter the top 16 of the Lithuanian championship of various age groups.
Success has already smiled here on Emilius Bliūdius, Sim Kaušylus, Denis Ščiglo, Kamila Aralova, Ned Zybailo, Justa Vaitkevičiūta. By the way, it is interesting that guests from Latvia won in two groups in Klaipėda, so one prize – the right to participate in the Lithuanian championship without selection – had to be taken away from these winners,” joked Mindaugas Bružas.
The last event of the qualifying series before the Lithuanian Championship will take place at the end of April – it is organized in Šiauliai together with the Break League by the city’s dance school “Extreme”.
“Šiauliai, I would say, is a special place on the Lithuanian break map, and you will certainly be able to feel that in this competition, because it is also dedicated to the 25th birthday of the street dance group RTM, and also this year it will be possible to compete here for the first time in a new age category – 35 plus,” the director of the Break League was happy.
M. Bružas – Bboy M told that, in addition to qualifying events, this year more and more athletes and spectators are attracted to other break competitions, which recently attract sponsors, so athletes are awarded not only medals, diplomas and gifts, but also cash prizes.
“ANT” studio also organized a tournament in Vilnius last weekend. “Perhaps it stands out from other competitions in that we hold it in spaces close to the style of break, like street dance. We usually set up the stage at the Vilnius Outlet shopping center, so we get a lot of curious people – people are really interested, ask questions, watch and support the athletes – the atmosphere is fantastic!
I was afraid that we could only annoy the employees of the surrounding shops, because for half the day quite loud hip-hop-style music is playing, but it turns out that they also like it very much – after the first half hour, everyone is moving to the beat!” – the interviewer was happy with the synergy.
Among other things, he mentioned that the organizers of the competition do not shy away from more interesting formats: “At the official Lithuanian and world sports dance championships, the battles are one-on-one, but in other competitions we also organize doubles and team competitions – in them there are challenges of synchronicity and transitions.”
In the Lithuanian championship – Bgirl Nicka
The director of the Federation’s Break League also said that despite the achievements of D. Banevič, break is grateful for today’s attention: “Bgirl Nicka is a fantastic athlete with incredible abilities. Since she lives only on break, it is certain that her example inspires others. This year, Nicka has been the leader of the world ranking table for some time – so it’s amazing that in our small country we can emulate an athlete of this level.”
According to M. Bruža, D. Banevič will be seen dancing in Lithuania only once before the Paris Olympic Games – at this year’s Lithuanian championship. “This year, the championship will be held on May 19. The Lithuanian hip-hop championship will also be held in Vilnius, in the “Litexpo” spaces.
So we invite everyone to watch the performances of girls, men, young people and children. And yes – until Paris, it will probably be the only chance to see Dominica competing here, because no more national competitions are planned, and on the Olympic Day in June, although the Break League will participate, Nick’s busy training schedule will probably not allow him to come there,” said Mindaugas Bružas.
2024-04-08 14:49:37