Breaking at OQS Shanghai: Preview, schedule and how to watch the action live

Are you ready to battle?

From 18-19 May, 40 B-Boys and 40 B-Girls will compete at the inaugural Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China.

The two-part qualifying series - the second stop is in Budapest from 20-23 June - is the last chance to secure Paris 2024 Olympic Games quota* spots in breaking, BMX freestyle, skateboarding and sport climbing.

Breaking appeared at the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018 and will now make its full Olympic debut in Paris with a total of 32 athletes (16 men and 16 women) competing in the iconic Place de la Concorde on 9-10 August.

A total of seven B-Boys and seven B-Girls will secure quotas for Paris 2024 through the OQS. Quotas will be obtained based on a points system: a maximum of 50 points is available in Shanghai, with another 50 in Budapest.

*As National Olympic Committees have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Games, athletes' participation at the Paris Games depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation at Paris 2024.

Click here to see the official qualification system for each Olympic sport.

• Breaking at the Olympic Qualifier Series: Everything you need to know
• Here are the athletes that will compete in breaking at the Olympic Qualifier Series
• Qualification and points system unveiled for Olympic Qualifier Series

OQS Shanghai 2024: Meet the B-Girls

Japan will be well represented with three B-Girls with current world number one Riko and former world champions Ayumi (2022) and Ami (2019) battling for a maximum of two places in Paris.

B-Girl Logistx will be one of the top contenders in Shanghai along with fellow USA breaker La Vix who was second at the Pan American Games to teammate Sunny who has already obtained a quota.

Ukrainian B-Girl Stefani, Anti of Italy and Luma from Colombia are other athletes expected to challenge for top honours at the OQS.

France will be represented by Syssy, Senorita Carlota and Sarah Bee, while China's Ying Zi and Ziyan will receive plenty of home support with team-mate B-Girl 671 having already obtained a quota by winning Asian Games gold in October.

Full list of B-Girls competing:

1. Midian Leah (RSA)
2. Courtnae Paul (RSA)
3. Alma (MAR)
4. Stefani (UKR)
5. Syssy (FRA)
6. Anti (ITA)
7. Luma (COL)
8. Logistx (USA)
9. Ayumi (JPN)
10. Ami (JPN)
11. Kate (UKR)
12. Madmax (BEL)
13. Jilou (GER)
14. Senorita Carlota (FRA)
15. Paulina (POL)
16. Ying Zi (CHN)
17. Molly (AUS)
18. Hannah (AUS)
19. G-Clef (AUS)
20. La Vix (USA)
21. Riko (JPN)
22. Vanessa (POR)
23. Fresh Bella (KOR)
24. Alessandrina (ITA)
25. Tiff (CAN)
26. Emma (CAN)
27. Swami (MEX)
28. Furia (ESP)
29. Camine (BEL)
30. Starry (KOR)
31. Nadia (ISR)
32. Sarah Bee (FRA)
33. Pauline (GER)
34. Spidergirl (ITA)
35. Kim (UKR)
36. Raw Law (ESP)
37. Ziyan (CHN)
38. Csenge (HUN)
39. Jeanny (TOG) – universality
40. Tris Naomi (GHA) – universality

The lists of athletes are subject to change and all quotas allocated for the OQS are the responsibility of the respective International Federation.

OQS Shanghai 2024: Meet the B-Boys

Current world number one Wing from Republic if Korea will be one of the biggest stars to watch in Shanghai alongside Japanese pair Issin (ranked four) and Hiro10 (six). Issin and Hiro10 are vying for one available spot in Paris after compatriot Shigekix took the Asian Games title.

Kazakhstan’s B-Boy Amir, winner of the Breaking for Gold Series in Japan in 2023, will be another prominent figure in Shanghai.

Jeffro leads the American challenge after going down in the Pan American Games final to Canada's former world champion Phil Wizard. With Victor taking the 2023 world title, Jeffro and Gravity will battle for the one remaining Paris quota for Team USA.

Ukraine’s Lussy Sky and Spain’s Xak are others to watch with the hosts represented by X-Rain, JwFresh and Lithe-ing who was fourth at last year's World Championship.

Full list of B-Boys competing:

1. Tawfiq (MAR)
2. Chakib (ALG)
3. Zoo (ALG)
4. Menno (NED)
5. Lee (NED)
6. Lil Zoo (AUT)
7. Jeffro (USA)
8. Gravity (USA)
9. Wing (KOR)
10. X-Rain (CHN)
11. Lithe-ing (CHN)
12. Mighty Jimm (BEL)
13. Alvin (COL)
14. Kid Karam (GBR)
15. Lussy Sky (UKR)
16. Hongten (KOR)
17. Benmx (AUS)
18. Kid Tek (AUS)
19. Mighty Duck (AUS)
20. Matita (CHI)
21. Amir (KAZ)
22. Issin (JPN)
23. Lagaet (FRA)
24. Kuzya (UKR)
25. Wigor (POL)
26. XAK (ESP)
27. Hiro10 (JPN)
28. Sunni (GBR)
29. Quake (TPE)
30. Daniel (NOR)
31. Sheku (GBR)
32. Khalil (FRA)
33. Kill (KOR)
34. Tirock (BEL)
35. Leony (BRA)
36. Neosan (FRA)
37. JwFresh (CHN)
38. Noris (HUN)
39. Peter Giwi Kal (PNG) – universality
40. Edison (ESA) – universality

The lists of athletes are subject to change and all quotas allocated for the OQS are the responsibility of the respective International Federation.

OQS Shanghai 2024 – Breaking Schedule

All times local Chinese Standard Time (UTC+8). Start times of events are provisional and subject to change.

Saturday 18 May

• 15:15 B-Boys Pre-selection
• 15:15 B-Girls Pre-selection

Sunday 19 May

• 10:00 B-Girls round robin
• 13:45 B-Boys round robin
• 17:30 B-Girls final
• 17:30 B-B-Boys final

How to watch breaking at OQS live

You can watch all the action from OQS in Shanghai including the breaking live on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com and the official Olympics app for mobile devices.

If you are a breaking fan, do not miss the Olympic Channel Original series Breaking Life.