Gamblerz become B-Boy Legends

Battle of the Year 2009 is over !! And the world famous Korean B-boys Gamblerz won 1st Place !! First Crew Ever to win BOTY twice*!  While Japan's All Area Crew took down the Best in Show!

BOTY is break dancing, or "b-boying's" ultimate competition. Started in 1990, the top crew from each of the 18 countries come together in Germany to compete or "battle"

However, I'm not really going to talk about BOTY, if you want to know more, I'd check out the documentry Planet B-Boy directed by Benson Lee. One of the most well put together documentaries about b-boying to date. What I enjoyed about this doc, was that it looked beyond the dance, and opened up the roots and culture behind b-boys.

If you look at the past winners, or runner up, you'll notice a trend.

*Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Year

Year	Champion	Runner Up	Best Show
2009	Gamblerz	Top 9	All Area Crew
2008	Top 9	T.I.P.	Top 9
2007	Extreme Crew	Turn Phase Crew	Turn Phase Crew
2006	Vagabonds	Last For One	Vagabonds
2005	Last For One	Ichigeki	Ichigeki
2004	Gamblerz	Fantastik Armada	Break the Funk
2003	Pockémon	Expression	Fire Works
2002	Expression	Vagabonds	Vagabonds
2001	Wanted	Team Ohh	Visual Shock
2000	Flying Steps	Waseda Breakers	Waseda Breakers
1999	Suicidal Lifestyle	Rock Force Crew	/ Spartanic Rockers
1998	Rock Force Crew	The Family	Spartanic Japan

What The Blood Sausage!?!?!! Ever since 2001, the Korean B-boys have been running things!!! Before 2000 they were virtually unheard of, USA being the birth of b-boying, and Europe took it to another level in the 90's....

So where did these guys come from? how did they get so good?

One way to look at is that the Koreans boys are required to have military training  in which they must attend for 2 years. This takes place when they are in their early 20's. Like any young adult it is a scary unknown. For b-boys, its an added fear they will lose their skills. Therefore before being enlisted in the military, they have one simple philosophy "GO ALL OUT". On top of a rising dance culture, Koreans, are known for their ego, pride, emotion, and competitiveness (especially against Japan); which adds that fuel to the fire. Their mentality to be the best is shown in BOTY. As of right now, Korean power moves are the best in the World.

The Japanese on the other hand,  are one of the most innovative countries in the world. This reflects and can be seen in the b-boy culture as well; along with a rich history of art culture, the Japanese b-boys really understand the artistry side, in dance. Combined together with their intrinsic passion, and hard work ethic, they put together amazing amazing shows, which they have won 7 of the past 12 years in the Best of Show category.


But why can't Japanese b-boys win battles? I mean All Area came close, by beating Gamblerz in BOTY Asia 2009, but other than that, they can't seem to win battles! In my personal opinion, I feel they lack aggression, that battles demand. or maybe Power moves? or are they too nice? I still have yet to figure it out! =/ 

Heres a link to Japan's BOTY performance in 2005, which was also documented in Planet B-boy

So this was just a very quick General blog, if this generates more interest, i will write a Part 2 that will look at the b-boy culture more into depth. Perhaps ill touch on topics like why USA, the creators of b-boy can't seem to win. Also... I did speak highly of the Koreans and the Japanese, but I can't forget about France, who have been very dominant in BOTY as well. Or even other rising countries in Asia, such as Vietnam and Taiwan who have very respectful b-boys. But for now Korea and Japan seem to dominate the b-boy world !

.

if you have more interest in the b-boy culture. I recommend these links.

Battle of the Year - http://www.battleoftheyear.de/

IBE - http://www.thenotoriousibe.com/

B-Boy forum - http://www.bboy.org/

*Battle Squad did win twice when BOTY first started 91 & 92, but IMO it didn't really count since it was like only 6 teams