The 2025 Battle of the Year World Final has officially wrapped in Korea.
Held Sept. 20-21 at the Hwaseong Sports Complex Indoor Arena, the two-day takeover marked the first time the world’s longest-running, largest international breaking competition brought its World Final to Korea in its 37-year history. Nearly 1,000 dancers from 33 countries hit the floor.
Staging the event in Hwaseong added extra resonance: the city was once home to Jaeincheong, a renowned performers’ guild in the late Joseon era―bridging centuries of performance culture with today’s global breaking stage.
Day 1’s standout was Canada’s Phil Wizard, who conquered the 1v1 Breaking bracket. Fresh off his men’s breaking gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the star delivered another dominant run, further cementing his legend status.
In 2v2 Open Style, a Red Bull-backed France-Switzerland duo―Jean Michel Cruel and Stala―snapped up the title with razor-sharp chemistry and inventive moves. China’s Louis Shan took the Kids Battle Royale, showcasing next-level skills that signal a bright future for Asia’s breaking scene.
The marquee Crew Battle saw the Netherlands’ The Ruggeds claim the crown, a win that underscored how widely and creatively breaking is evolving across the globe.
Japan’s Body Carnival earned Best Show in the Crew Performance category, a reminder that breaking isn’t just a sport―it’s a full-fledged art form. The energy surged even higher with sets from YANGHONGWON, Kid Milli, Don Mills, Roh Yun Ha, BewhY, and dance powerhouse 1MILLION.
With hosting rights secured through 2027, the Korea Breaking Federation said it will build on this year’s success to broaden the domestic breaking culture and develop more athletes. The organization noted that bringing Battle of the Year―launched in Germany in 1990―to Korea for the first time in 37 years helps cement the country’s standing as a hub for Asian breaking.
Fans can catch the 2025 Battle of the Year World Final on SBS Sports on Sept. 29 at 10 p.m. KST, starting from the quarterfinal battles.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)