Lithuanian breakdancing star Dominika Banevič, known as B-Girl Nicka, finished second at the Red Bull BC One World Final in Japan, falling just short of her dream to finally claim the world champion’s belt.
The 18-year-old advanced confidently to the final round, where she faced Japan’s B-Girl Riko, who had strong support from the home crowd. The judges awarded Riko a 3–1 victory, leaving Banevič once again the runner-up.
Some experts were surprised by the result, believing the Lithuanian dancer deserved the win. Darius Marcinkus, director of the Lithuanian Breaking League, said Banevič clearly dominated the stage, though he did not question the judges’ professionalism.
“We truly expected the best,” Marcinkus said. “Seeing her performance and dominance, I hoped this would be the moment she came back as champion. Her final rounds were impressive – she represented herself, breaking, and Lithuania beautifully. The result was disappointing, but small details often decide these battles.”
Banevič’s mother, Alina Banevič, said her daughter felt “robbed” after the final, claiming Riko repeated moves and made mistakes that should have cost her points. She said one judge even admitted he did not understand why B-Girl Nicka’s victory had been taken away. The dancer herself did not comment on the outcome.
Marcinkus said questions remain about the transparency of judging at Red Bull BC One, noting that competitions under the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) and the Olympic system provide clearer scoring structures.
“Judges see battles from only one angle, while viewers on the broadcast get every camera shot,” he said. “In my view, Nicka performed better, but we may never know why the Japanese dancer won.”
This was Banevič’s third straight appearance at the BC One World Final. She reached the semifinals in her 2023 debut and finished second in Rio de Janeiro last year, losing to B-Girl India of the Netherlands.
Known for her distinctive style and consistency, Banevič has become one of the most recognisable figures in women’s breaking, with younger dancers increasingly imitating her moves.
“Nicka is creating her own style, she’s no longer just classic breaking,” Marcinkus said. “You can recognise her instantly. Many B-Girls are already copying her, which shows her influence on the global scene. She’s only 18, but she’s already contributing as much as some veterans.”
In the men’s division, Japan’s B-Boy Issin claimed the world title. Marcinkus noted that the level of breaking in Asian countries is rapidly rising.
“Countries like China, Japan, and South Korea invest heavily in breaking, and their level is growing fast,” he said. It’s natural that local dancers succeed more often at home, he added, although “based on what I saw in Tokyo, Nicka was absolutely worthy of being called a champion”.
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