Getting her big break

The Chinese DanceSport Federation now organizes numerous competitions, Mike said, while funds are allocated to training facilities.

The only downside, according to the coach, is that some Chinese dancers do not necessarily fully understand the culture of break dancing, which originated in New York in the 1970s.

"The (skill) difficulty level in China is exceptionally high. However, the understanding of dance and the depth of exploration into dance artistry remains insufficient," he lamented.

"This is an area where we need to learn from Western nations," Mike said. "With break dancing, and other street dance styles — their essence is innovation. I believe that by understanding the core of this culture, Chinese children will become more creative."

Royal is keen to push the sport's creativity.

"I really want to inspire the next generation of B-girls," she said.

"And to do that by passing on the history and the culture of breaking, and developing a style of breaking that's unique to girls."

AFP