Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
At the Juste Debout 2026 World Finals, 13-year-old Li Yunqiu from Chongqing, China, defeated dancers from over 40 countries with a breakdance performance featuring elements of traditional Chinese martial arts. He won the title of Absolute World Champion in the Youth category, demonstrating a vibrant blend of Chinese cultural tradition and contemporary international street dance.
Initially, Li Yongqiu only planned to travel to Paris, observe the competition, and broaden his horizons, hoping to advance to the next round at best. However, in the finals, he incorporated Drunken Fist (Zuiquan) moves into his floor routines and finished his performance spectacularly with a headstand. The precision and expressiveness of his movements earned him top marks from the judges. The Juste Debout tournament is considered one of the world's largest street dance competitions, and winning requires not only skill but also individuality. Li Yongqiu's is shaped by traditional Chinese wushu, and this cultural blend has brilliantly introduced the world to a new generation of Chinese dancers.
Li Yongqiu first saw breakdancing on television at the age of eight and was immediately captivated. With his parents' encouragement, he began training at a dance studio and competing. His career progressed from a silver medal at the 2023 Chongqing Youth Street Dance Championship to victories at city tournaments in 2024, then to the semifinals of the 2025 Asian Youth Breakdancing Championship and victory in the Juste Debout China Final. His path to success was filled with hard work and achievements. After his victory, he remains modest and speaks of his desire to connect more and learn from dancers from different countries.
Li Yongqiu's success is rooted in his daily training: after school, he practices for at least two hours. While preparing for competitions, he not only practiced various dance styles but also studied traditional Chinese wushu, which became his greatest asset on stage. According to coach Lei Kai, Li Yongqiu's key strength is his ability to persevere even during monotonous training and maintain his passion for the craft through endless repetition. It was this persistent, "hard work" that allowed him to confidently emerge on the world stage. Lei Kai also noted that Li Yongqiu became the first breakdancer in the history of the tournament to win the title of absolute world champion in the youth category. This demonstrated the potential of the new generation of Chinese dancers and inspires great expectations for the future of the Chinese street dance scene.
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