A 13-year-old breakdancer with the "Drunken Master" style became a world champion

At the Juste Debout 2026 World Finals, 13-year-old Li Yongqiu from Chongqing, China, defeated dancers from over 40 countries with a breakdance performance featuring elements of traditional Chinese martial arts. He won the title of Absolute World Champion in the youth category, demonstrating a vibrant blend of Chinese cultural traditions and contemporary international street dance.

Initially, Li Yongqiu only planned to travel to Paris to observe the competition and broaden his horizons, hoping to advance to the next round. However, in the finals, he incorporated Drunken Fist (Zuiquan) moves into his floor routine and finished his performance with a spectacular headstand. The precision and expressiveness of his movements earned him top marks from the judges. The Juste Debout tournament is considered one of the world's largest street dance competitions, and winning requires not only skill but also individuality. Li Yongqiu's style is shaped by traditional Chinese wushu, and this cultural blend has vividly introduced the world to a new generation of Chinese dancers.

Li Yongqiu first saw breakdancing on television at the age of eight and was immediately captivated. With his parents' support, he began training at a dance studio and competing. His journey began with a silver medal at the 2023 Chongqing Youth Street Dance Championships, followed by victories at city tournaments in 2024, then to the semifinals of the 2025 Asian Youth Breakdancing Championships and a victory in the Juste Debout China Finals. His path to success was filled with hard work and achievements. After his victory, he remains modest and speaks of his desire to connect more and learn from dancers from different countries.