B-Boy Shigekix: Things you did not know about the Japanese breaking star
From Osaka, Japan to Paris, France: B-Boy Shigekix is on a mission for Olympic glory in 2024. Get to know how the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic bronze medallist got to where he is today and who he is away from the dance floor.
The name Shigekix and breaking go hand-in-hand.
The Japanese breaker plans to make an ever bigger name for himself at Paris 2024 when the first Olympic medals in the sport are awarded.
Nakarai Shigeyuki - also known as B-boy Shigekix - is on a quest for Olympic glory, but his love for freestyle dancing came long before 2020, when it was announced that breaking would be added to the Olympic programme in France.
Read on to learn more about the 20-year-old, who - after winning bronze at The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama - is looking to conquer the breaking world.
Origins and style: Shigekix
Shigekix began breaking when he was seven.
He was introduced to the sport by his sister B-Girl Ayane. His older sibling is his biggest inspiration and the pair are both members of the K.A.K.B dance crew.
While he has world-class B-Boy status now, his skills were established from starting out as a freestyle dancer.
His style is fast, strong and technical. Not only does he move well, but his transitions and sold freezes impress.
His signature move is having his eyes closed while doing explosive power moves.
Making a name on the global stage: Shigekix
Coming up through the ranks, Shigekix impressed early.
In 2014 he won the under 12s Chelles Battle Pro in France. This was a breakthrough moment in his career.
More success came in 2016 when he won 1on1 Nothing2Looz World Final Kids battle, 2016 Hustle event and the Freeze solo battle. Later that year he won the 2016 Marseille Battle Pro 1on1 Kids battle.
At just 15 years old, the Japanese teen was the youngest ever breaker to be invited to compete at 2017 Red Bull BC One World Final in Amsterdam, Holland. He made it to the semi-finals.
Shigekix has tasted success at the Youth Olympics too. He competed at the Buenos Aires 2018 and won bronze.
In 2020 his career reached new heights when he won the Red Bull BC One World Final 2020. At 18 years old he made history again, becoming the youngest ever champion.
In January 2022 he defended his All Japan Breaking Championship crown, another indication that he is one to watch for Paris 2024.
Training: Shigekix
In addition to doing breaking dance training, Shigekix does a lot of other workouts to improve his explosive power.
He focuses on balancing conditioning, fitness and breaking practice.
The Japanese sensation does strength training in the gym 3-4 times a week to reduce the chance of injury and keep his body in prime condition.
"I try to build my stamina because breaking is hard. If I have explosive power, it's okay for the first round, but if a contest is going to be two or three rounds then I need good endurance as well. I do a lot of cross training which I think helps a lot." - Shigekix after winning BC One final.
In the week or two before competitions he likes to concentrates on technical practice.
Off the dance floor: Shigekix
Creativity is Shigekix's passion.
When he's not on the dance floor moving his body, he is being creative and expressing himself in other ways.
He's a keen artist, and likes drawing, doing 3D art and also taking photos.
Ideal holiday
When you're an athlete travelling the world and constantly training and competing, there is little time for vacations.
But if Shigekix was to take a break from that, then he would love to travel.
"I want to spend a week in a place near the beach or in a place with beautiful nature. Relaxing so I don't think about anything," he tells Olympic ski jump champion Kobayashi Ryoyu in a one-on-one interview.