Seventeen-year-old Dominika Banevič from Vilnius, who goes by B-Girl Nicka, sailed through Friday’s competition, becoming the very first Olympic vice-champion in breaking.
Breaking – more commonly called breakdancing – is making its Olympic debut at the 2024 Paris Games.
“It’s hard to believe at the moment, but I’m happy to have won silver. But first of all, I’m happy that I managed to do what I do best and enjoy it. That medal was like a fruit of everything I do. I’m happy that I won the medal, but first of all, I’m happy that I managed to overcome my thoughts, to enjoy the scene. As you could see, I was smiling the whole time because I love breakdancing and I wanted to show the world what it’s all about,” said Banevič after the awards ceremony, with the Olympic silver around her neck.
The final battle pitted Nicka against Ami from Japan who won 3-0.
“I accept any result. I’m glad Ami won, she is an amazing dancer. I’m glad it was our final, we showed the highest level of breakdance. In a championship of this level, the colour of the medal doesn’t matter, we are all winners because we are doing what we love,” said Nicka.
Nicka faced off China’s 671 in the second semifinal, winning 2-1. B-Girl 671 went on to beat Netherlands’ India 2-1, to win bronze.
Nicka is the youngest member of Lithuania’s team in Paris. She won the 2023 European Championships title. At the age of 16, she became world champion in Leuven in 2023.
That same year, Nicka won the Lithuanian national championships for the fourth time.
Breaking is part of the new wave of sports that the International Olympic Committee has ushered in as part of a broader effort to add an urban flair to the Summer Games. It follows the addition of sports such as skateboarding and surfing, which debuted at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
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