B-Boy Dany Dann: From French Guiana and working as a nurse to chasing an Olympic dream in breaking
French B-Boy Dany Dann is among the favorites to book a place for Paris 2024 in this week’s breaking event at the 2023 European Games.
Breaking
Double French champion, European champion 2022, former world number one, B-Boy Dany Dann is going into the 2023 European Games as the man to beat in the breaking event, with the final taking place on Tuesday 27 June, live on Olympic Channel.
“I hope that I am going to take first place,” Dann told Olympics.com. “I am going to focus all on this and just go enjoy it.”
However, B-Boy Dany Dann’s journey started far away from Poland and the European Games - in French Guiana. Growing up with seven siblings in the South American region, nothing indicated that the now 34-year-old breaker would become one of the best in the world.
B-Boy Dany Dann: "What is he doing there?"
It was in 2003 that Dany Dann discovered the sport. The 14-year-old was strolling down the street like any other day, when he noticed a family member.
“I remember walking past a window and seeing my cousin in the middle of a breaking class,” the French Guianese recalled.
“I thought to myself, 'what is he doing there?' I did not know what it was at the time. Then, one day I went there for a class with my cousin, and from then on I just kept going again and again.”
Since going to the first class with his cousin, breaking has almost been an addiction for Dany Dann. He started practising day and night with his cousin and best friend, and he progressed quickly.
B-Boy Dany Dann on moving to France
After five years of breaking in his home country, Dann and his best friend made the decision to move to France in 2008, so they could compete in breaking events.
“We decided to leave our families and our home and go to France. We arrived in Paris, and it was very very cold. In the Guianas it was 31 degrees [88° fahrenheit], and when we arrived in Paris there was seven degrees [45°f]. It was crazy,” he evoked.
The best friends quickly got to be part of the breaking environment in France, and they started practising and battling with other B-Boys and B-Girls.
After settling in France, Dann met B-Girl Marion, at the Hip Hop Addict event in Perpignan, and they started dating. Dann moved in with Marion in Perpignan in Southern France when they became a couple.
Dany Dann or Dany Nurse?
Today Dann and Marion share two sons. It was shortly after moving there that the 2022 European champion discovered another passion.
“I worked in the hospital as a nurse with my wife, and I really liked it. I love helping people. For me the best thing was that the patients did not know about Dany Dann, they only knew Dany nurse,” the French breaker said, before revealing that this passion is paused for now while persuing his dance sport aims.
“I had to quit recently, so I can focus on Paris 2024. The French federation has asked me to focus on qualifying. Now I have more time to practice, and they give me the support that I need, and I do not have to think about how I pay my house and things like that. Now breaking is my job.”
Breaking and family life
Trying to qualify for next year’s Paris Olympics has also meant a lot of travelling and time away from the family for last year’s European champion. Nonetheless, Dann travels around the world to chase his dream of representing France at the Olympics. Knowing that his family is behind him gives an extra boost to perform.
“My family support me a lot. They text me every day and that gives me the motivation to compete,” he said before revealing his sons are not into breaking.
“They prefer to play football,” he told smiling. “But I want to be a role model for them, teach them to stay focused and work hard.”
How a tragedy changed B-Boy Dany Dann’s mindset
This year, Dann will reach an impressive anniversary, as he has practised breaking for 20 years. But a tragic incident three years ago changed the way Dann looks at breaking, and now he appreciates it more than ever.
“Something changed after 2020, where I lost my best friend B-Boy Tonio. Now I just enjoy the moment and feel free. I am not thinking about winning,” he said.
“I focus on dancing and having fun. What really inspires me is to share a moment with people.”
B-Boy Dany Dann on the Olympics: ”I will try to go for gold”
The double French champion hopes to share a special moment with the French people next year at the Paris 2024 Games. Place de la Concorde, in the heart of the French capital, will take center stage as the venue where breakers compete for the first time at an Olympics.
“If I get to go to the Olympics, I will try to go for gold of course. I am going to represent France in France and get all the energy from the crowd,” Dann said.
“It is going to be a historic event. Everybody knows what the Olympic Games are, and I am just looking forward to showing the world what breaking is about.”
Dann's 2023 European Games quest is to earn one of 32 qualifying berths for the Paris 2024 Olympics, where 16 B-Boys and 16 B-Girls will compete head-to-head to become the first ever Olympic champion in the sport.
Breaking Life
Discover the world of breaking through the eyes of five young dancers practicing this new Olympic sport around the globe. What does it mean to be a B-Girl or a B-Boy today? What challenges do they overcome and what does it take to be an athlete in this emerging art form that is evolving from the streets onto the world’s biggest stage.