Dublin, are you ready for this?
On Sunday February 16th, b-boys and b-girls from all over Ireland will descend upon the Button Factory in Dublin hoping to end the day as one of two Red Bull BC One national champions. The ultimate prize is in store for the winning b-boy and b-girl: a place at the Red Bull BC One World Finals in Tokyo this November.
Red Bull BC One is the world’s premier breaking competition. Split into b-boy and b-girl brackets, breakers face off in intense one-on-one battles, hoping to win the favour of the judges. Judges score the breakers’ respective style, character, creativity and musicality - essentially, how they break to the music and the attitude and uniqueness with which they do it.
The action kicks off in the Button Factory with the preliminary rounds at 1pm, when breakers will battle it out for a spot in the Red Bull BC One National Cypher later that evening. Those keen to take part can sign up on the day from 11.30am to 12.30pm, or register online. The preliminary rounds are free to attend, with tickets available now on www.RedBull.ie/BCOne.
B-Boy Zooty Zoot performs during Red Bull BC ONE World Final in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on December 7, 2024. // Marcelo Maragni / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202412100397 // Usage for editorial use only //The Red Bull BC One National Cypher will then begin at 7pm, with doors open from 6pm. Tickets are on sale now via the Red Bull website, priced at €5 each excluding booking fee.
Hotly fancied at the Dublin Cypher will be B-Boy Leon, who has been making a name for himself on the international breaking scene for years now, and recently fell just short of Olympic qualification in 2024. Ireland’s national breaking champion, Dwyer reached the Top 32 of the Olympic World Series before being knocked out.
However, with applications open to the public, there is a chance that a dark horse could emerge in both the B-Boy and B-Girl brackets to scoop the top prize. And with the talent on show in Ireland’s breaking scene, many will fancy their chances of causing an upset.
All will be trying to impress the three judges who will be overseeing proceedings at the Dublin Cypher. Dutch breaker B-boy Menno is a four-time Red Bull BC One champion, and recently competed in Paris 2024. Joining him will be B-Girl Roxy, the renowned UK breaker who holds the world record for headspins completed in 60 seconds (71). Finally, bringing his knowledge of the Irish breaking scene to the fold will be B-Boy Doke, part of the well-known Bad Taste Cru.
This national qualifying event, known in breaking circles as a cypher, is the first step on the road to Tokyo - where the Red Bull BC One World Finals will take place in November. There, Ireland’s two national champions will face stiff competition from over 30 countries for the top prize.
For breakers looking for last minute tips and tricks, or those who want to get a taste of the action, B-Boy Menno, the current Red Bull BC One World Champion, will be hosting a BC One workshop in Fade Street Studios on Saturday February 15th, ahead of the Dublin Cypher. Taking place from 2pm to 4pm, this is free to attend and those interested in taking part can register now on the Red Bull website.
Roxy performs at the Red Bull BC One Holland Cypher in Rotterdam, Netherlands on March 5, 2023. // Koko / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202303060259 // Usage for editorial use only //Breaking is enjoying its time in the sun following Paris 2024, when it made its debut at the Olympic Games. Its story goes back much further, however, with origins in the African American dance scene in the Bronx in the late 1970s and early 80s. Since then, it has expanded globally with international competitions first taking place in the 1990s.
Red Bull has been on the breaking scene since 2004. Since the first World Final that year, 21 have taken place in major cities across the globe with the BC One series championing the world’s best talent through events, workshops and tours, hoping to inspire the next generation of breakers.
To keep up to date with all things Red Bull BC One, follow @RedBullIre on Instagram and TikTok, or visit www.RedBull.ie/BCOne.
