B-Boy Hongten - Republic of Korea - qualified 

BUDAPEST - Comments from Republic of Korea's B-Boy Hongten after he beat B-Boy Issin of Japan 2-1 to finish third in the OQS Budapest Breaking competition on Sunday.

B-Boy Hongten - Republic of Korea - qualified second (overall ranking position)

On the physical test of the day’s battles:

“Honestly, at the beginning it was OK. I thought my stamina was really good. I need to take that back. Not at all. I’m so tired, it felt like I was going to die. I thought I wanted to give up. I’m really happy now, because it’s all done.”

On competing at age 39:

“I’m the oldest in the B-Boy competition. My opponent is maybe 20 years younger. They have more energy, better physical bodies. When we have to freestyle, they can control their body whatever way they want. For me, I can’t do that anymore. I could before. Now, I know my limit. If I try to do something, sometimes it happens, but most of the time it doesn’t.”

On going to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games:

“It’s another challenge for me. Of course, the Olympics is good, the biggest thing in my life. It’s another challenge. At my age, in my long breaking journey, training for 26 years - it’s been a long time. I always keep going. I want to prove myself to everyone that we can do it, if we want. That’s the meaning of this challenge for me."

OIS mc/xl/lcm