After cyphers in Johannesburg, East London, Cape Town, and Oudtshoorn, the prestigious breaking competition, Red Bull BC One, culminated in the crowning of South African champion B-boy Toufeeq. The record breaker not only impressed the judges but also had the crowd begging for more as he danced his way to the world finals which took place in Paris.
Red Bull BC One is a prestigious global one-on-one breaking competition that sees over a thousand breakers from around the world competing in their respective countries for the chance to compete at the world finals. This year’s world finals, which took place in Paris at the iconic Stade Roland-Garros, celebrated two milestones. The first is 20 years of Red Bull BC One World Finals, and the second is the official inclusion of breaking at the 2024 Olympic Games–this inclusion validates Red Bull’s continued commitment to the sport. In this exclusive interview, we delve into B-boy Toufeeq’s remarkable journey from winning the South African Cypher to representing his country at the illustrious Red Bull BC One World Finals in Paris. We discuss the significant challenges he overcame, his rigorous preparation and the training regimen that propelled him to the global stage.
MH: Can you share your thoughts and emotions when you found out you would be representing South Africa in the Red Bull BC One World Final in Paris?
B-boy Toufeeq: My thoughts and emotions when I found out I won the South African Cypher were definitely that it was long overdue. For the last four years, I haven’t made it through, and I have been upset with myself, wanting to give up on the competition. Then I told myself, “This is the year; whatever comes in my way better be ready.”
Could you describe your experience battling Kid Columbia in the Top 16 and your feelings when you realised you had made it to the Top 16?
Battling Kid Columbia was a highlight, although I couldn’t do my best as I had a blown-up elbow while battling him. But I think I did well. Also, making it to the top 16 inspired me as it was my first-ever last chance cypher, and I was the only SA B-boy to make the top 16 since B-boy Benny eight years ago. I was super overwhelmed, and what inspired me more was the B-boys I look up to appreciating my rounds.
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What were the major challenges you faced during the competition, and how did you overcome them to make it as far as you did?
I had an injury in the top 16 and although my arm was numb, I still pushed through, and that was a huge challenge. But making top 16, I was super excited just for making it.
You got a surprising reaction from the crowd when you hit the stage. How did their support and energy impact your performance?
I was super surprised that the French people were going off for my rounds. I didn’t expect them to go the way they did, and that hype made me feel like I was home in SA.
What was your strategy for competing, and did you make any adjustments along the way to adapt to different opponents?
I didn’t have a strategy; I just did what I could do in the best way possible and pushed the original moves that I created.
Can you tell us about the preparation and training you went through leading up to the Red Bull BC One World Final?
My preparation for Red Bull BC One was as good as it could get as I don’t have a venue to train. I pushed myself as much as I could and also ensured I rested my body to the fullest so I could perform well and represent my country.
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Looking back at this experience, what do you think you’ve learned from participating in your first World Final, and how will it influence your future in the world of breaking and dance?
Being surrounded by all the well-known boys in the scene worldwide and seeing how they train unlocked so many things I should change and train harder than I am right now. It also motivated me to keep opening doors, making a name for myself, and putting SA on the map in Breakdance.
