Running against Ronnie

No B-Boy has been more successful than Ronnie at Red Bull BC One. And now in Paris there are 15 challengers who want to stop the American from hauling in his second victory.

Who’s the best B-Boy in the world? ‘I am,’ say the 16 breakers from 11 countries, who will take part in this year’s Red Bull BC One finals. On November 5 they want to dance the five-person jury dizzy in the three rounds of head-to-head duels. Most of them already did so in the national qualifyers; the rest of them, due to their excellent reputation in the scene, received wildcards.

Wanted: a break dancing multi-talent

That he’s one of the best in the scene, each of the participants already proved in numerous international contests. But only one will be able to take the Red Bull BC One champion title away from Paris – the one who shows the most elaborate technique, the most creative moves and the most charismatic stage presence. This may include Just Do It, for example, or Menno the Seagull, two newcomers from the Netherlands. Just Do It, known as ‘The Flying Dutch Man’, was already one of the favorites last year, but suffered an injury shortly before the event. Now he’s doubly motivated to get revenge.

Challengers from the Netherlands, South Korea, Japan and France

Due to an injury, South Korean Baek wasn’t able to participate in 2008 either. Together with his compatriot Wing he’s a representative of the strong South Korean B-Boy community, which delivered the winner in 2006. His name is Hong 10, and now he’s on the jury, supporting the competitors from Japan (Taisuke, quarter final contestant in 2007) and France (Mounir, member of the famous Vagabound Crew and winner of Battle of the Year 2006) as title contenders.

Five-time contestant; five times up on the podium

But those wanting to win first have to get past Ronnie from Las Vegas, member of Full Force and Super Crew. The 26-year-old is the only one to take part in every Red Bull BC One to date, and also the most successful B-Boy in BC One history, coming second in 2004 and 2006, third in 2005, and winning in 2007. ‘During the battle I just forget everything around me,’ he says. ‘I don’t even hear the crowd any more, I’m that focused.’ November 5 is his most important day this year. ‘Since I’ve realized that B-Boying is my true passion, I live for it 24 hours a day. To win Red Bull BC One again would be the most awesome thing!’

A list of all participants

These are the 16 B-Boys competing in the battle for the Red Bull BC One Champion 2008 title on November 5:

BAEK, South Korea

BENNY, South Africa

CICO, Italy

JUST DO IT, Netherlands

KID DAVID, USA

KOLOBOK, Ukraine

LIL CENG, Germany

LIL G, Venezuela

LIL KEV, France

MENNO, Netherlands

MOUNIR, France

NASA, Australia

RONNIE, USA

TAISUKE, Japan

WING, Korea

PELEZINHO, Brazil