Shah, Navin Paris-bound to represent Pakistan

Breakers win national championship to book spot in Red Bull BC One Cypher global finals

KARACHI:

In a dazzling showcase of skill and passion, the grand finale of Red Bull BC One Cypher Pakistan 2023 unfolded at the iconic Karachi Arts Council. The stage was set ablaze as the 20 finalists, including 16 B-Boys and 4 B-Girls, brought forth their electrifying performances.

The audience eagerly awaited the crowning of the new national champions who would represent Pakistan in the global finals. Little did they know that this edition would witness the rise of two extraordinary talents: B-Boy Navin and B-Girl Shah the national champions of Pakistan.

B-Boy Navin, representing Evolution Xtreme Dancers (EXD) and Anarchy crew, had been dancing since the age of 12, inspired by the iconic Step Up movies. His dedication and relentless training had brought him to this moment, and this edition of the Cypher was different for him in more ways than one.

"This edition was very different as I came in well-trained," B-Boy Navin reflected. "In the last edition, I was more involved in organising the event. This year, I stepped away from that and focused solely on my training. It was better than last year because we had the privilege of two workshops with B-Boy Neguin, from which we learned a lot. The whole edition was top-notch and done very well."

The change in preparation was evident in B-Boy Navin's performances. "I trained for 210 days, dedicating myself to breaking. Then I spent the remaining days focusing on cardio to lose weight for the competition to be fully prepared for the event."

As fate would have it, B-Boy Navin's journey in the previous edition ended prematurely. But this time, he was determined to make a different mark. "Last year, I lacked confidence and was overwhelmed by nerves," he admitted. "But this year, I knew I had to bring my energy, my presence, and my character from the moment I stepped on the stage. It was a long story that I needed to finish, and I feel like I have completed this chapter."

Unique in his own right, B-Boy Navin acknowledged the advantages he possessed. "From a background of 15 years of breaking, I learned things from the B-Boy generation that came before me," he said. "I think my discipline and dedication to my work also set me apart. I always put in the time and effort, and that reflects in my performance." He added that to his journey the most important role that played in his winning performance was from his fellow breakers and trainers Dwayne Lucas, Brandon Dsouza and Naqi Nix.

On the other side of the spectrum was B-Girl Shah, a newcomer to the breaking scene who started her journey just a year ago after being inspired by the first edition of Red Bull BC One Cypher Pakistan. Despite her limited experience, she made up for it with sheer skill and raw talent.

Before her awe-inspiring performance, B-Girl Shah admitted to feeling the weight of the stage. "The energy on this Red Bull BC One stage is electrifying," she confessed. "It takes a special kind of performer to thrive in this atmosphere." However, she channelled her nerves into a powerhouse performance that left everyone in awe.

After being crowned the champion, B-Girl Shah expressed her happiness and excitement for the global finals in Paris. "With the joy of victory filling my heart, I eagerly look forward to the global finals in Paris," she declared, her voice brimming with determination. "I am determined to push my limits and train even harder for the challenges that lie ahead."

Their contrasting stories, B-Boy Navin's years of experience and B-Girl Shah's rapid rise to prominence, added to the allure of their triumph. With their unmatched skills and unwavering passion, they had earned the title of national champions, setting their sights on the world finals in Paris.

As B-Boy Navin and B-Girl Shah prepare for the ultimate showdown on the global stage, they carry with them the dreams and aspirations of their crews and the entire breaking community in Pakistan. Each step, each move, and each battle would bring them closer to their goals, but they knew not to take any opponent lightly.