• 11/10/2024

Hong Kong B-boy C Plus may have missed out on the Paris Olympics, but that will not stop him breaking

Hong Kong Free Press

Breakdancers may give the impression that they are confident, perhaps even aggressive, but not B-boy C Plus. The Hongkonger is both humble and easy-going, despite his ability in a break battle.

Bboy C Plus poses for photos in a dance studio at Tai Kok Tsui area on 31 July 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Bboy C Plus poses for a photo in a dance studio in Tai Kok Tsui, on July 31, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Also known as Sze Ka-yam, C Plus began breakdancing in 2009, taking part in competitions of various sizes before representing Hong Kong in the Olympic qualifiers last year. He placed 44th but failed to secure a spot at the Paris Games, which added breaking as a new sport to its programme. Quarter finals for the B-girls began on Friday, with the B-boys set to begin their medal battles on Saturday.

Having given up his full-time job two years ago, C Plus acknowledges the significant challenges of being a full-time athlete in Hong Kong. He trains for at least four hours every day: working on his balance; practising breakdance skill sets and rhythms; and dedicating time to muscle training.

Bboy C Plus close his eyes and feels the music before the next battle in the shopping mall “Olympic City” on 30 June 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
B-boy C Plus closes his eyes and feels the music before a battle in a Hong Kong shopping mall on June 30, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Due to a lack of government support for the sport, C Plus has to seek out his own physical trainer, therapist, and sponsors. Currently, his income mainly comes from teaching classes, performing in showcases, and earning prize money from competitions.

In a typical breakdance battle, dancers face off one-on-one, improvising their moves to a soundtrack provided by a DJ within a set timeframe. It requires strength, stamina and flexibility to perform dance elements including footwork, freezes, power moves and toprock, which refers to a set of upright dance moves performed at the beginning of a breakdancing routine.

The winner is determined by a panel of judges, who score breakers on creativity, personality, technique, variety, showmanship, and musicality.

Bboy C Plus performing during a battle round in the shopping mall “Olympic City” on 30 June 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
B-boy C Plus breaks during a battle round in a Hong Kong shopping mall on June 30, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

C Plus is currently concentrating on retaining his ranking so that he can continue to represent Hong Kong at future international events.

“The next major goals are the National Games and the World Games next year, as well as the Nagoya Asian Games in 2026,” he told HKFP in Cantonese. “I always feel that once a B-boy is not competing, then he is not a B-boy.”

“If you have the right training and practice in a proper environment, breaking isn’t as dangerous as many people imagine,” C Plus said. “Some famous B-boys are still competing in global competitions at 40 years old, which shows we can avoid serious injuries with proper training,” he added.

“Freedom is what I enjoy the most about breakdancing, I can do my own style or moves and no one can challenge them. Other dance forms may have rules or expectations, but breakdancing has no such limitations.”

Bboy C Plus won the first place of “Hong Kong Breaking Ranking 2024” tournament first round, 30 June 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
B-boy C Plus places first in a round of the Hong Kong Breaking Ranking 2024 tournament, on June 30, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Bboy C Plus cools down after a match, 30 June 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
B-boy C Plus cools down after a battle on June 30, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Favorite meal of C Plus is Hai Nan chicken rice, 31 July 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
B-boy C Plus buys his favourite meal of Hainan chicken rice, on July 31, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
C Plus watching news replay of Hong Kong players in Paris Olympic games in a dance studio at Tai Kok Tsui area on 31 July 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
B-boy C Plus watches a replay of Hong Kong athletes at the Paris Olympics from a dance studio in Tai Kok Tsui, on July 31, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Training schedule of C Plus, 10 July 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
The training schedule of B-boy C Plus, on July 10, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Balance training of C Plus in a dance studio at Tai Kok Tsui area on 10 July 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
C Plus practises balance training in a Tai Kok Tsiu dance studio, on July 10, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Balance training of C Plus in a dance studio at Tai Kok Tsui area on 10 July 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
C Plus does balance training in a Tai Kok Tsui dance studio, on July 10, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
C Plus walks in front of an advertisement at Tsim Sha Tsui on 8 August 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
C Plus walks in front of an advertisement in Tsim Sha Tsui on 8 August 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
C Plus Discussing with stage manager before a performance in the convention and exhibition center on 12 July 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
C Plus discusses with stage manager before a performance at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center on July 12, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
C Plus performs with his crewmate in the convention and exhibition center on 12 July 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam.
C Plus performs with his crewmates at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on July 12, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam.
C Plus said he ate chicken rice for dinner for 4 or 5 days already, he said it is the most convenient meal, 8 August 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
C Plus eats Hainan chicken rice four or five times a week, on August 8, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Sliding on the ankle is one of the signature moves of Bboy C Plus, this original skill set is the scoring point during battles. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Sliding on his ankle is one of C Plus’ signature moves. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
This unusual freeze pose is another signature of Bboy C Plus. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
This unusual freeze pose is another signature of B-boy C Plus. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
It can be challenging to understand the dynamics of competition among Bboys. The scoring criteria typically include factors such as skill, difficulty, and musicality, somewhat resembling competitions in diving or gymnastics. (multi-exposure photo) Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
It can be challenging to understand the dynamics of competition among B-boys. The scoring criteria typically includes factors such as skill, difficulty, and musicality, somewhat resembling competitions in diving or gymnastics. Multi-exposure photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
C Plus waiting at traffic lights in the Tai Kok Tsui area on 8 August 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
C Plus waits at traffic lights in Tai Kok Tsui, on August 8, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
C Plus shops in a sports brand at Tsim Sha Tsui area on 8 August 2024. Outfit is important for athletes, he mostly would pick smooth texture clothing as he can slide easier during battles. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
C Plus shops in Tsim Sha Tsui, on August 8, 2024. Outfits are important for athletes, he mostly chooses clothing with a smooth texture to allow him to slide better during battles. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Muscle training of C Plus in a dance studio at Tai Kok Tsui area on 8 August 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
C Plus works on muscle training in a dance studio in Tai Kok Tsui, on August 8, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Freeze skill training of C Plus in a dance studio at Tai Kok Tsui area on 10 July 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
C Plus does freeze skill training in a dance studio in Tai Kok Tsui, on July 10, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Bboy C Plus poses for photos in a dance studio at Tai Kok Tsui area on 31 July 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
B-boy C Plus poses for a photo in a dance studio in Tai Kok Tsui, on July 31, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Bboy C Plus poses for photos on a rooftop at Tai Kok Tsui area on 31 July 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
B-boy C Plus poses for a photo on a rooftop in Tai Kok Tsui, on July 31, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

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