On May 16, the Shanghai leg of the Paris Olympic Qualification Series kicked off. During the event, a wealth of sports, art, music and cultural activities allowed the audience to immerse themselves in the warm Olympic atmosphere. Among them, the young team members led by Chen Xiaodong, the head coach of the Jiading District Break Dance Team, also took to the stage to shine, showing the charm of Chinese dancers to the world. For Chen Xiaodong and his team members, this is not only a performance, but also a dream-chasing journey.
From the practice room to the stage closest to the Olympics
"We are jumping on the stage of dreams, we are jumping on the Shanghai of love..." At the welcome ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Qualification Series Shanghai Station on the evening of May 15, The four events of break dancing, sport climbing, freestyle BMX and skateboarding were displayed in turn. In the break dance demonstration session, break dancers selected from all over the city jumped wildly, with fast and powerful steps and smooth body rotations, showing the vitality and dynamics of youth to the world. Chen Xiaodong, the head coach of the Jiading District Break Dance Team, and Jia Junwen, a team member , Gu Yinfei is one of the many performers.
"When I heard that the Shanghai Sports Dance Association was recruiting breakdance performers for the Olympic Qualification Series, I was very excited and signed up without hesitation." Chen Xiaodong said frankly that he was more nervous than excited, "Performance is very important for movement skills. , visual effects and other aspects are very demanding, and the team members are relatively young. After signing up at the time, I was worried about whether they could successfully complete the performance project. "
The Jiading District break dance team led by Chen Xiaodong was established in November last year. The team members are from 6 years old. Composed of teenagers up to 16 years old. Chen Xiaodong said that although this demonstration was very challenging, no one gave up easily. "For us, this is the closest one to the Olympics, so we are going all out, just like every event." Chen Xiaodong said.
Gu Yinfei (left), Jia Junwen (front), Chen Xiaodong (back), and Li Minghui (right) at the qualifying match
In addition to the break dance performance at the welcome ceremony, several team members including Chen Xiaodong, Jia Junwen, and Gu Yinfei He also appeared in the outfield break dance exhibition area of the qualifying series, competing with break dance enthusiasts from all over the world to learn dance skills and exchange experiences. In the entertainment competition in the break dance exhibition area on May 16, although 8-year-old Jia Junwen was the smallest break dancer in the competition, he won the final victory after half an hour of elimination round by round.
Chen Xiaodong said that break dancing pays attention to skills and diversity. Every athlete has his own style. This exhibition also gives everyone a stage to show their personal charm. "Usually, break dancing players from all over the world may only be able to perform during competitions." We gathered together, and this time we took the opportunity of the qualifying series to put down our scores and rankings and dance together. The atmosphere was very good, and it also brought break dancing into the eyes of more people. "
From an after-school hobby to belonging to the "Z generation". "The sports dream
goes to the sky, goes to the ground, soars, flies... Every sport in the qualification series is from the streets to the Olympics, facing the challenge of gravity, with the word "Young" engraved in the DNA. Character.
"From receiving the invitation to standing on the stage, the rehearsal time was extremely limited, but the thought of being able to show my favorite dance in front of the whole world made me full of power." from Beishuiwan Branch of Jiading District Experimental Primary School Jia Junwen has been practicing break dancing for a year and a half. He fell in love with this sport when he first came into contact with hip-hop.
Jia Junwen said that being so close to the Olympics made him particularly excited, "My dream is to dance in the Olympics. My current level may not be good enough. I believe that if I practice for another four to five years, I will definitely get better at those moves and steps." .”
Jia Junwen (fifth from right)
Although Gu Yinfei from Qiliang Middle School in Jiading District is only 12 years old, he has already been “experienced in many battles.” Whether it is the China Street Dance League in 2022 or the Shanghai Break Dance Championship in 2023, Gu Yinfei has achieved good results.
"I have to do hundreds of push-ups every day, day after day, but when I stand on the stage or in the competition field and get my ideal results, I am very happy and all the hard work is worth it." Gu Yinfei said.
"He has been quite active since he was a child and sometimes dances to music, so we are very supportive when we see him find a hobby he likes." Gu Yinfei's mother Li Yuxi said.
Gu Yinfei (first from left)
jumping, spinning, landing... In the days leading up to the Olympic qualifying series, Jia Junwen and Gu Yinfei's lives revolved almost entirely around break dancing. In addition to completing their studies every day, everything else Spend your free time practicing. "Break dancing has become an indispensable part of our lives." When talking about their love for break dancing, the two expressed the same thoughts to reporters.
Today's Huangpu River has become a trendy place for young people of the "Z generation". Fifteen years ago, Chen Xiaodong, who was only 15 years old, would not have thought that the sport he fell in love with and that was considered "unprofessional" in the eyes of adults would now become one of the top international sports events. The break dance team he leads and The club has also won nearly 20 competition honors, large and small. Every step forward brings him and his team members closer to the Olympics.
As sung in the competition promotion song "Leaping to Shanghai": "We are leaping to the top, I can make it alright." It is this belief and dream that drives countless "Z generation" people like Jia Junwen and Gu Yinfei. "Continuously surpassing oneself allows fans like Chen Xiaodong to persevere and love. In this unique Olympic experience that integrates sports, music, art and culture, they can show the charm of break dancing to the world and convey the power of dreams and the value of persistence. .
Source: Shanghai Jiading
