BC One World Champion Victor Montalvo at Rome World Final
B-Boy Victor takes out World Breakdance Title
American B-Boy Victor became the new World Champion at the Red Bull BC One World Final in Rome, Italy on November 14. Victor survived a series of breakdance battles that were both physically and creatively challenging to emerge the winner. Victor Montalvo, 21, comes from Florida and has danced since age six. A favorite for the win since the start of the competition, he faced Portuguese B-Boy Bruce Almighty in the final, an unusual rival who’s focusing on the comedic side of breakdancing.
“The crowd was screaming his name but I didn’t care,” said Victor. “To win Red Bull BC One means so much to me because I’ve been trying to win this battle since I was a young kid. I used to dream about just being on this stage and finally I won this. It feels so good.”
Sixteen B-Boys faced each other in one-on-one battles throughout the night in Rome’s Palazzo dei Congressi. American rapper Supernatural and Italy’s Tromba emceed the night, and France’s DJ Marrrtin laid down an evening of all-original beats.
The five judges – Cico, Wing, Poe One, Focus and Lamine – rated the competitors on their artistic skills, choreography, innovation, character, and on their combinations of B-Boy essential moves.
DanceLife has been following the BC One world breakdance competition as Australia’s own B-Boy Blond made it through to the Asia Pacific Final in October, where he was beaten by Korean B-Boy Leon to go on to the World Final in Rome.
Since its inception in 2004, it has become the premier competition in the world of B-Boying, consistently attracting the best individual breakers in the world.
Red Bull BC One cycles through three seasons each year to select the best dancers out of a 1,500-strong crowd: Cypher, Finals and World Final. Winners of 90 city and then 70 national Cyphers earn a spot to battle in their region’s Final. All six Finals Champions continue to the World Final, along with a selection of Wild Card entries.
The 13th Red Bull BC One World Final will be held again in Japan next year. Read about Australia’s B-Boy Blond’s BC One journey here and here.
Visit www.redbullbcone.com to learn more.
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