On December 7 in Rio de Janeiro, Dutch b-boy Menno van Gorp and b-girl India Sardjoe took home the winners’ belts at the 2024 Red Bull BC One World Finals, one of the most prestigious and longest running breaking competitions. It also marks the first time that both winning breakers have been from the same country.
In addition to being champions from the Netherlands, Menno and India have a few more things in common. This isn’t the first time they’ve won Red Bull BC One—India won the 2022 b-girl event, and Menno has won three times prior to this unprecedented fourth. They both competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics as well. Lastly, despite being 17 years apart in age, the two are in the same crew, Hustle Kidz. When asked to say a few words after winning the b-girl bracket, India mentioned that “he’s [Menno] going to kill it,” and sure enough, the Dutchman won his battle shortly after.
Standout moments
Breaking battles that night were full of electrifying moments. The performances of the three Brazilian competitors were especially inspiring, and the support from their home crowd was energizing. Hometown heroes Samuka and Toquinha fought their way to the semifinals of the b-boy and b-girl brackets respectively, showing off their undeniable “axé.”
The b-girl side was extremely competitive, with five Olympians and two past BC One champions in the lineup. As an example of how tough the bracket was, French breaker Syssy battled Lithuanian Nicka in the first round and lost—both participated in the Olympics and Nicka was the silver medalist. She also took second place at this Red Bull BC One, narrowly missing out on the win.
Other b-girls who stood out were France’s Kimie and Japan’s Yasmin. Kimie wowed with her highly technical combinations and concepts, while Yasmin took a freestyle, music-first approach that made her a crowd favorite. She also showed her fiery side in a moment against Royal in the top 16, responding to a kick burn (a gesture meant to demoralize the opponent) by launching a kick of her own over the other b-girl’s head.
Breaths of fresh air
On the b-boy side, USA’s own Icey Ives and Belgium’s Robb were breaths of fresh air who brought their unique breaking styles to the stage. Ives, originally from Alaska, had an unbelievable run that started with winning the Red Bull BC One USA National Cypher, then the Last Chance Cypher to make it to the World Finals. His explosive moves, ear for music, and wholehearted spirit then helped him progress to the finals against Menno.
Robb’s style is also explosive, but he structures his dance in an unexpected and unorthodox way. His approach is different in its directions and transition while maintaining form and difficulty, relying on his great body control to execute. In Rio, Robb successfully showed that style and blew minds with some never before seen combinations.
At the end of the day
The talent, the stage, the music, the crowd—everything has to come together for an event like Red Bull BC One to hit right, and this time did not disappoint. While some might be happier than others about the Dutch duo’s repeat wins, there’s plenty more to celebrate: Brazilian breakers putting on for their country, some of the best b-girls going full steam, and new standouts on the b-boy side, to name a few.
The 2025 Red Bull BC One World Finals has already been announced for November 9 in Tokyo, and it’s sure to be an exciting one.
Video footage from the event can be found on the Red Bull BC One YouTube page, as well as elsewhere on YouTube.
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