The World Games Shines on Jinniu District | Introduction of Chengdu World Games Events - Sports Dance (Break Dance, Latin Dance and Standard Dance)

       The World Games is an elite international multi-sport gathering for non-Olympic sports, serving as a world-class platform for a wide array of athletic competitions. Organized by the International World Games Association (IWGA), it is held every four years - always in the year following the Olympic Games. Up to now, eleven sessions have been successfully organized, beginning with the inaugural event in California, USA, in 1981. The World Games primarily focus on non-Olympic sports, encompassing both competitive and demonstration events, with athletes selected based on the procedures and standards set by respective international sports federations.

The Chengdu World Games comprise 34 major sports, 60 sub-categories, and 255 events, of which the 34 major sports encompass Aerial Sports, American Football, Archery, Baseball/Softball, Billiard Sports, Bocce Ball, Canoeing, Cheer Dance, Sports Dance, Faustball, Floorball, Flying Disc, Gymnastics, Handball, Jujitsu, Karate, Kickboxing, Korfball, Lacrosse, Lifesaving, Muay Thai, Orienteering, Motorboat Racing, Powerlifting, Racket Sports (Short Court), Roller Skating, Sambo Wrestling, Rock Climbing, Squash, Triathlon, Tug of War, Underwater Sports, Water Skiing, and Martial Arts.

The Sports Dance Events at the Chengdu World Games include 3 sub-events: Standard Dance, Latin Dance and Break Dance.

Break Dance

Break Dance, originated in the Bronx district of New York City in the mid-1970s, is an significant component of hip-hop culture. It comprises 4 basic elements, top-rock (upper body rocking steps), foot-work (complex leg movements on the floor), power-moves (impressive spinning tricks) and freezes (holding challenging poses). The appeal of Break Dance lies not only in its technical skills and challenges, but also in the spirit it conveys - prioritizing personal self-expression.

Break Dance was included in The World Games in 2022 and officially became a competitive event at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024. At the Chengdu World Games, Break Dance features two sub-events, men's individual and women's individual. The competition will last for two exciting days, with a total of 32 awesome athletes joining the battle.

The battle venue is a circular stage measuring 7.5 meters in diameter, where athletes compete in one-on-one "battles". The contest is carried out in a way where the red and blue teams take turns to battle and each performance must last no more than 60 seconds. Based on the music randomly selected by the DJ, athletes freely pick and mix their moves on the spot to create their own distinct competition style. Judges will assess their performances based on five standards, technicality, diversity, originality, completion and musicality, and the one with the highest score wins.

Break Dance competitions integrate sound, light, and the dazzling moves of the dancers, creating a powerful sensory stimulation and offering the audience a a dual feast for both their eyes and ears. The audience can wholeheartedly cheer and yell for the amazing displays of the dancers, clap in time with the music played by the on - site DJ, and have a blast interacting with the host.

Standard Dance and Latin Dance

Evolved from social dances, Standard Dance and Latin Dance really took off in Britain in the early 19th century. Standard Dance gradually grew into 5 cool dance styles, Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot and Quickstep. Latin Dance,  in turn, developed its own set of 5 fabulous styles, Samba, Cha-Cha-Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive. In Standard Dance, the male dancers usually wear tailcoats while female dancers wear long gowns. The real deal here is moving with grace and ease while using super - precise techniques. Latin Dance, however, focuses on explosive rhythms, passionate emotional expression and intense physical tension.

Photo of Chinese dancers (Yan Bangbang and Du Yujun) competing at the WDSF Latin Dance World Open 

Standard Dance and Latin Dance officially became part of The World Games in 1997. At the Chengdu World Games, both Standard and Latin Dance have a Mixed Doubles event each. The competitions for these two dance styles will each last a day, with 96 athletes taking part altogether.

The dance venue is a wooden-floor pool measuring 25 meters in length and 16 meters in width. The judges will make their assessments based on four standards, technical execution, musicality, partnering skills, and choreography and presentation.

When the dancers are performing in the dance pool, the audience is required to remain quiet and enjoy the performance, so as to create a concentrated artistic vibe for the dancers. Once the performance is over, the audience is warmly welcome to express their appreciation for the dancers' wonderful show with wild applause.

The three sub-categories of Dance Sports are like stars with their own special shine. Standard Dance is known for its grace and smoothness, Latin Dance for its passion and energy and Break Dance for its cool and dynamic moves. When they all come together, it's like a magical mix of strength and beauty, showing just how amazing it can be when sports and art collide! (Written by Hao Bin, Photo from the official website of the Chengdu World Games)