16 B-boys to audition for world competition

CHACHAYA Extreme Battles in conjunction with the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is set to host auditions for the world breakdance competition dubbed R16 on February 28 at the Long Cheng Plaza.

The auditions will see only 16 B-boys (breakdancers) making it to the final slated for June 20, with only one of them proceeding to represent the nation in Morocco at the Africa Middle East finals in July.

This will take place before joining other finalists at the World's grand finale in two months' time in Seoul, Korea.

"I was given an R16 licence by the organisers so I can host these auditions which will be judged by Moroccan judges after they watch the videos online," said Carlos Ndawi, the founder of Chachaya Extreme Battles.

He added that the competition was a step in the right direction in boosting local arts development: "Local breakdancers are happy about the introduction of this competition on the local scene as it will render them some real opportunities which include exposure for endorsements by potential brands."

Ndawi said their main aim was to accommodate as many local B-boys next year onwards to fully appreciate the vast talent in the country.

"We are starting on a low note this year, but will expand and have auditions all over Zimbabwe next year to accommodate as many local participants as we can," he said, adding that this year he had even got responses online from some dancers in Bulawayo who had qualified for the auditions.

The competition is a first of its kind in R16 is one of the biggest Korean breakdance and urban arts festivals in the world which started in 2007, primarily supported by the Korea Tourism Organisation and Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

It is also responsible for some of the choreography in an American movie titled Battle of the Year starring popular American RnB singer Chris Brown.