As breakdancing prepares to make a highly anticipated debut at the Olympic Games, Durban’s Courtnae Paul believes the qualifiers for Paris 2024 are “game-changing”.
Following a successful campaign in 2018’s summer youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, breaking – short for breakdancing – was added to the sports roster for the Paris spectacle.
Paul, 32, describes the sport as a mixture of martial arts and gymnastics as she prepares to book her spot at the Games.
Forty female dancers from around the globe will participate in qualifiers over the next two months, and the best 16 will make the trip to Paris.
Paul got into the sport by chance after initially dabbling in kickboxing, among other sports.
After moving to Johannesburg with dreams of a successful dancing career, she practised the street dance style but did not initially see much scope for it.
“There was nowhere for me to take it – no platforms existed,” she said, the Citizen reported.
Her consistency, usually at her own expense, has finally paid off now that the Games have recognised the sport.
“Breaking has been added as an official Olympic sport. I couldn’t believe it. The circuits that have been built around Olympic qualifiers are game-changing,” she said.
“I’ve worked as hard as I can, and I’m as ready as I can be. A self-assured person is a dangerous one!”
Pictured above: Courtnae Paul.
Image source: @courtnae_paul
