2025 Cloud Jam Breaking Open Finals in Kunming sees fierce competition

Spectators applaud performances given by dancers during the 2025 Cloud Jam (Tayun Jue) Breaking Open Finals in Kunming, Yunnan province, earlier this month. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The 2025 Cloud Jam (Tayun Jue) Breaking Open Finals lit up the night and drew to a close in Kunming, Yunnan province, earlier this month.

The event attracted the participation of 1,500 dancers from 15 province-level regions and countries such as Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, the United States, France and South Korea. The competition set up four major categories — Breaking Crew Battle, Breaking 2v2, Kids Breaking 1v1 and Kids Breaking Crew Battle — and unfolded over two days, from Aug 9 to the evening of Aug 10. Aug 9 was dedicated to grueling preliminary rounds, followed by elimination rounds on the 10th, culminating in a series of electrifying final showdowns on the evening of the 10th.

Adding to the spectacle was a captivating performance staged by national teams from China, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Malaysia. The crowd was also treated to a performance given by the judging panel itself, featuring luminaries such as Lian Jiulong — nicknamed Kowloon — who was a judge at the 2024 Olympic Games in breaking, and Mounir Biba, the head coach of the Chinese National Breaking Team and the legendary French b-boy.

After two days of fierce competition, the champions were crowned. Zhang Zhixun from Sichuan province claimed the title in Kids Breaking 1v1. 0831, a team from Yibin, Sichuan, dominated the Kids Breaking Crew Battle. Le Borthe from Vietnam won the Breaking 2v2 category. And finally, the Southeast Asian Team, a collaboration of breakers from Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Malaysia, took home the crown in the Breaking Crew Battle competition.

Dancers cheer for a performance presented by a young dancer. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Lian Jiulong, a member of the judging panel, gives a performance during the two-day event. [Photo provided to China Daily]

A dancer competes during the event. [Photo provided to China Daily]

A young dancer prepares to stage his performance. [Photo provided to China Daily]

A young dancer participates in the competition of Kids Breaking 1v1 category. [Photo provided to China Daily]

A young dancer shows his skill during the competition. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Members of the Southeast Asian Team dance for the Breaking Crew Battle competition during the event. [Photo provided to China Daily]

B4, a member of the Vietnamese National Breaking Team, dances during the event. [Photo provided to China Daily]