Wikipedia

Battle of the Year

For the 2013 feature film based on this event, see Battle of the Year (film).

Battle of the Year, commonly referred to as BOTY, is an annual international breakdancing competition that began in 1990. It has been regarded as the premier b-boying competition in the world [1] and has been referred to as the "World Cup of B-Boying".[2] Regional qualifying tournaments, also known as preliminaries, are held worldwide culminating in the BOTY International, the world finals event which is currently held at Sud de France Arena in Montpellier, France.

For the first twenty-three editions, Battle of the Year was a crew competition; in 2013, a one-on-one competition was added. Since 2014, the one-on-one portion of Battle of the Year is one of ten tournaments that are a part of the World BBoy Series.

The competition spawned the 2007 documentary Planet B-Boy as well as a 2013 eponymously named feature film Battle of the Year, both directed by Benson Lee. It has also gained attention for positive promotion of hip-hop culture and social unity.[3]

Past Battle of the Year results

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In 2006, 2 semifinal battles were implemented, with the winner of each battle advancing to the finals. The losers of the semifinal battles do not battle each other; therefore, there is no longer a fourth-place award.

Year First place Second place Losing Semifinalists Best show
2023   Predatorz   Flow XL   The Ruggeds /   Foundnation   Foundnation
2022   The Ruggeds   Flooriorz   Rock Force Crew /   Mortal Combat   The Ruggeds
2021   Jinjo Crew   The Ruggeds   Squadron /   Flooriorz   Jinjo Crew
2019   Last Squad   Artistreet   Body Carnival /   Team Vinotinto   Artistreet
2018   Jinjo Crew   Foundnation   Top Coalition /   Vagabonds   Jinjo Crew
2017   Flooriorz   Vagabonds   Kienjuice /   Mortal Combat   Flooriorz
2016   Flooriorz   Melting Force   Body Carnival /   Kienjuice   Melting Force
2015   Flooriorz   Kienjuice   U-Taipei /   Doble K.O.   Doble K.O.
2014   Predatorz   Fusion MC   Body Carnival /   S.I.N.E. Crew   Fusion MC
2013   Fusion MC   The Ruggeds   B-Town All Stars /   Flooriorz   Flooriorz
2012   Vagabonds   Flooriorz   Pockémon /   Morning of Owl   Vagabonds
2011   Vagabonds   Battle Born   Nine State B-boyz /   TPEC   Vagabonds
2010   Jinjo Crew   Mortal Combat   Gamblerz /   La Smala   Mortal Combat
2009   Gamblerz   Top 9   All Area Crew /   Phase-T   All Area Crew
2008   Top 9   T.I.P. Crew   Formosa /   Smokémon   Top 9
2007   Extreme Crew   Turn Phrase Crew   Legiteam Obstruxion /   Funk Fellaz   Turn Phrase Crew
2006   Vagabonds   Last For One   Drifterz /   B-Town Allstars   Vagabonds

Until 2006, one battle was held solely for first place and one battle was held solely for third place.

Year First place Second place Third place 1 Fourth place Best show
2005   Last For One   Ichigeki   Gamblerz   Phase-T   Ichigeki
2004   Gamblerz   Fantastik Armada   Stuttguard   Break the Funk   Break the Funk
2003   Pockémon   Expression Crew   Gamblerz   Fire Works   Fire Works
2002   Expression Crew   Vagabonds   Deep Trip   Top 9   Vagabonds
2001   Wanted   Team Ohh   HaviKoro   Visual Shock   Visual Shock
2000   Flying Steps   Waseda Breakers   Scrambling Feet   South African Allstars   Waseda Breakers
1999   Suicidal Lifestyle   Rock Force   Bag of Trix   The Family    Spartanic Rockers
1998   Rock Force   The Family   Phase 2   Suicidal Lifestyle   Spartanic Japan
1997   Style Elements   South Side Rockers   Black Noise   Suicidal Lifestyle   South Side Rockers
1996   Toys in Effect   Enemy Squad   Wedding B-Boys & Flying Steps   Passo Sul Tempo None awarded
1995    The Family   Enemy Squad   Out of Control   Flying Steps None awarded
1994   Vlinke Vuesse   Enemy Squad   Always Rockin Tuff   Crazy Force Crew None awarded
1993   Always Rockin Tuff   Fresh Force   Enemy Squad   TDB None awarded
1992   Battle Squad   Second 2 None   Enemy Squad   TDB None awarded
1991   Battle Squad   TDB   Enemy Squad   Fresh Force None awarded
1990    TDB   Crazy Force Crew   City Rockers   Robot Force

Past Battle of the Year Solo Champions results

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Year Winner Crew Runner-up Crew
2023   Phil Wizard United Rivals / 7 Commandoz   Onton Supernaturalz / United Rivals
2019   Zeku Future Force Crew / Monster B-Boys   Pac Pac Bad Trip Crew / Tekken Crew
2018   Dany Vagabonds   Beetle Navi
2017   Onel Black Out Crew   Mowgly Marittima Funk
2016   Bruce Almighty Momentum Crew   Nasso Melting Force/Arabiq Flavor
2015   Menno Hustle Kids/Def Dogs/RBBC1AS   Alkolil Original Breakers Circle
2014   Alkolil Original Breakers Circle   Kleju Funky Masons/Polskee Flavour
2013   Menno Hustle Kids/Def Dogs/RBBC1AS   Thesis Knuckleheads Cali/Massive Monkees
2012   Niek The Ruggeds   Hill Unik Breakers
2011   Niek The Ruggeds   Vicious Victor MF Kidz/Squadron
2010   Thesis Knuckleheads Cali/Massive Monkees   Alkolil Original Breakers Circle
2009   Lilou Pockemon/RBBC1AS   Morris Fallen Kings/Rock Force

Past Battle of the Year Bgirl Champions*

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Year Winners Crew
2023   Ayumi and    Sarah Bee Body Carnival / Zamounda crew
2019   Lil Mami Hardcore Detroit/Venus Fly
2018   Ayane KAKB
2017   Yasmin and Miju KAKB/Sparky Jewel
2016   Ayu and Ami Good Foot crew
2015   Ayane and Noa KAKB
2014   Shie-chan and Nagi Air Real/Qween of Qweenz
2013   Kanami and Myw KANAMYM
2012   Nao and Nagi Qween of Qweenz
2011   Eri Fenesis and Yurie Qween of Qweenz
2010   Ayumi and Micchan Body Carnival
2009   Shie-chan and Narumi Air Real/Body Carnival/Qween of Qweenz
  • The event was called We B Girlz until 2015.

The event is a 2 on 2 battle, but was a solo battle in 2018 and 2019.

2016 season

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2016 World Finals results

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First RoundSemifinalsFinals
1  Melting ForceW
6  STOL5  KienjuiceL
5  KienjuiceW1  Melting ForceL
2  FlooriorzW
2  The FlooriorzW
4  Taoyuan City Top CoalitionL3  Body CarnivalL
3  Body CarnivalW

Best Show:   Melting Force

2016 International 1 on 1 Battle results

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Round of 16Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
 
 
 
  Bruce Almighty W
 
 
 
  Inside L
 
  Bruce Almighty W
 
 
 
  Fernandinho L
 
  Fernandinho W
 
 
 
  Elia L
 
  Bruce Almighty W
 
 
 
  Poter L
 
  Poter W
 
 
 
  Kid Colombia L
 
  Poter W
 
 
 
  Ayumi L
 
  Ayumi W
 
 
 
  Zoob L
 
  Bruce Almighty W
 
 
 
  Nasso L
 
  Nasso W
 
 
 
  Aleks L
 
  Nasso W
 
 
 
  Lil Zoo L
 
  Lil Zoo W
 
 
 
  Admiracles L
 
  Nasso W
 
 
 
  Taisuke L Third place
 
  Taisuke W
 
  
 
  Spin L
 
  Taisuke W  
 
 
 
  Pac Pac L  
 
  Pac Pac W
 
 
  Akorn L
 

Bruce Almighty ( ) earned a bid to the Undisputed World BBoy Series in Prague at the end of the 2016 year by winning BOTY Solo.

2015 season

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2015 World Finals results

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First RoundSemifinalsFinals
1  Doble KOL
4  MB CrewL5  KienjuiceW
5  KienjuiceW5  KienjuiceL
2  The FlooriorzW
2  The FlooriorzW
3  U-TaipeiW3  U-TaipeiL
6  MOS CrewL

Best Show:   Doble KO

2015 International 1 on 1 Battle results

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Round of 16Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
 
 
 
  Menno W
 
 
 
  Rafastil L
 
  Menno W
 
 
 
  Shigekix L
 
  Shigekix W
 
 
 
  Lawson L
 
  Menno W
 
 
 
  Sunni L
 
  Sunni W
 
 
 
  Kacyo L
 
  Sunni W
 
 
 
  El Niño L
 
  El Niño W
 
 
 
  Taower L
 
  Menno W
 
 
 
  Alkolil L
 
  Alkolil W
 
 
 
  Akorn L
 
  Alkolil W
 
 
 
  Victor L
 
  Victor W
 
 
 
  Lagaet L
 
  Alkolil W
 
 
 
  Fleau L Third place
 
  Fleau W
 
  
 
  Onel L
 
  Fleau W  
 
 
 
  Poter L  
 
  Poter W
 
 
  Dany L
 

Menno ( ) earned a bid to the Undisputed World BBoy Series at the end of the 2015 year by winning BOTY Solo.

2014 season

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2014 World Finals results

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First RoundSemifinalsFinals
1  Fusion MCW
4  InfamousL5  Body CarnivalL
5  Body CarnivalW1  Fusion MCL
2  PredatorzW
2  PredatorzW
3  RuggedsL6  S.I.N.E. CrewL
6  S.I.N.E. CrewW

Best Show:   Fusion MC

Crew List for 2014 World Finals

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Crew Qualification
  Fusion MC Winner, BOTY Korea 2014
  Black Out Crew Winner, BOTY BALKAN 2014
  Body Carnival Winner, BOTY Japan 2014
  Last Alive Winner, BOTY Italy 2014
  619 Fellerz Winner, BOTY Nigeria 2014
  Street Son Crew Winner, BOTY Brazil 2014
  Soul Mavericks Winner, BOTY UK 2014
  Predatorz Winner, BOTY Rusia 2014
  Crazy Elements Winner, BOTY West Africa 2014
  Infamous Winner, BOTY France 2014
  Ten Years in a Moment Winner, BOTY Taiwan 2014
  Gravedad Zero Winner, BOTY Central America 2014
  S.I.N.E Crew Winner, BOTY SEA 2014
  The Saxonz Winner , BOTY Germany 2014
  The Ruggeds Winner, BOTY BeNeLux 2014
  Unstopabullz Winner, BOTY Israel 2014

2014 International 1 on 1 Battle results

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Round of 16Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
 
 
 
  Gravity W
 
 
 
  Hugga L
 
  Gravity L
 
 
 
  Alkolil W
 
  Alkolil W
 
 
 
  Kacyo L
 
  Alkolil W
 
 
 
  Kazuki Roc L
 
  Kazuki Roc W
 
 
 
  Ziprock L
 
  Kazuki Roc W
 
 
 
  Kid Columbia L
 
  Kid Columbia W
 
 
 
  Rafastil L
 
  Alkolil W
 
 
 
  Kleju L
 
  Noe L
 
 
 
  TRock W
 
  TRock L
 
 
 
  Benny W
 
  Benny W
 
 
 
  Onel L
 
  Benny L
 
 
 
  Kleju W Third place
 
  Kleju W
 
  
 
  Mini Joe L
 
  Kleju W  
 
 
 
  Lil Zoo L  
 
  Lil Zoo W
 
 
  Khalil L
 

Alkolil ( ) earned a bid to the Undisputed World BBoy Series at the end of the 2014 year by winning BOTY Solo.

2013 season

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2013 World Finals results

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Like in 2012, Battle of the Year 2013 included an additional semifinals placer to add additional battles to the tournament. Six crews qualified after the showcase stage of the competition consisting of the two highest scoring crews automatically qualified for the semifinals and four crews competing for the two remaining places against them.

Semi final placersSemifinalsFinals
1  B-Town All StarsL
3  Fusion MCW0  Fusion MCW
6  Vino TintoL  Fusion MCW
  The RuggedsL
2  The FloorriorzL
4  The RuggedsW0  The RuggedsW
5  KGB TC UnitedL

Best Show:   The Floorriorz

Crew List for 2013 World Finals

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Crew Qualification
  WaveOmatic Winner, BOTY Balkans 2013
  De Klan Winner, BOTY Italy 2013
  KGB TC Unity Winner, BOTY Taiwan 2013
  The Floorriorz Winner, BOTY Japan 2013
  Unstopabullz Winner, BOTY Israel 2013
  Hunters Crew Winner, BOTY Central Europe 2013
  Space Unlimited Winner, BOTY Nigeria 2013
  B-Town Allstars Winner, BOTY Germany 2013
  Soul Mavericks Winner, BOTY UK 2013
  S.I.N.E Crew Winner, BOTY SEA 2013
  Melting Force Winner, BOTY France 2013
  Knuckle Head Zoo Winner, BOTY USA 2013
  Fusion MC Winner, BOTY Korea 2013
  Vinotinto Winner, BOTY Central America 2013
  The Ruggeds Winner, BOTY BENELUX 2013

2013 International 1 on 1 Battle results

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Round of 16Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
 
 
 
  Pocket W
 
 
 
  Mat L
 
  Pocket L
 
 
 
  Issei W
 
  Issei W
 
 
 
  Hulk L
 
  Issei L
 
 
 
  Menno W
 
  Tonio L
 
 
 
  Menno W
 
  Menno W
 
 
 
  Nori L
 
  Nori W
 
 
 
  Lil Zoo L
 
  Menno W
 
 
 
  Thesis L
 
  Slav L
 
 
 
  Thesis W
 
  Thesis W
 
 
 
  Wing L
 
  Wing W
 
 
 
  Bootuz L
 
  Thesis W
 
 
 
  Lil G L Third place
 
  Lil G W
 
  
 
  Titris L
 
  Lil G W  
 
 
 
  Robin L  
 
  Cherry L
 
 
  Robin W
 

2012 season

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2012 World Finals results

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Battle of the Year 2012 included an additional semifinals placer to add additional battles to the tournament. In 2012 six crews qualified after the showcase stage of the competition consisting of the two highest scoring crews automatically qualified for the semifinals and four crews competing for the two remaining places against them.[4]

Semi final placersSemifinalsFinals
1  FloorriorzW
3  Morning of OwlW0  Morning of OwlL
6  FormosaL  FloorriorzL
  Vagabond CrewW
2  Vagabond CrewW
4  De KlanL0  Pockemon CrewL
5  Pockemon CrewW

Best Show:   Vagabond Crew

Crew List for 2012 World Finals

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Crew Qualification
  Vagabonds Champion, BOTY International 2011
  Dead Prezz Winner, BOTY Balkans 2012
  Prodigy Winner, BOTY Central Europe 2012
  Supremos Winner, BOTY Iberica 2012
  Pockemon Winner, BOTY France 2012
  Flooriorz Winner, BOTY Japan 2012
  Kosher Flava Winner, BOTY Israel 2012
  Hunters Crew Winner, BOTY Belarus 2012
  Upper Underground Winner, BOTY North Africa 2012
  Reckless Gang Winner, BOTY Germany 2012
  De Klan Winner, BOTY Italy 2012
  Formosa Crew Winner, BOTY Taiwan 2012
  Radical Force Winner, BOTY SEA 2012
  Space Unlimited Winner, BOTY Nigeria 2012
  Team Shmetta Winner, BOTY BeNeLux 2012
  Unity Crew Winner, BOTY South Africa 2012
  Lhiba KingZoo Winner, BOTY West Africa 2012
  Morning of Owl Winner, BOTY Korea 2012

kamikaz crew Algeria

2011 season

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2011 World Finals results

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Semifinals Finals
      
1   Battle Born W
4   Nine States B-boyz L
  Battle Born L
  Vagabonds W
3   Vagabonds W
2   TPEC L

Best Show:   Vagabonds

Crew List for 2011 World Finals

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Crew Qualification
  Jinjo Crew Champions, BOTY International 2010
  Battleborn Winner, BOTY USA 2011
  CT Group Winner, BOTY Scandinavia 2011
  Vagabonds Winner, BOTY France 2011
  Nine States B-Boyz Winner, BOTY Japan 2011
  TPEC Winner, BOTY Taiwan 2011
  Kosher Flava Winner, BOTY Israel 2011
  Simple System Winner, BOTY Kazakhstan 2011
  Guatemaya Crew Winner, BOTY Central America 2011
  Maximum Crew Winner, BOTY Korea 2011
  Battle Born Winner, BOTY USA 2011
  Amazon B-Boys Winner, BOTY Brazil 2011
  Ruff'n'X Winner, BOTY Switzerland 2011
  Fusion Force Crew Winner, BOTY North Africa 2011
  Flavaz Army Winner, BOTY West Africa 2011
  Reckless Bunch Winner, BOTY Germany 2011
  OnePiece UD Town Winner, BOTY SEA 2011
  Hoochen Crew Winner, BOTY Benelux 2011
  De Klan Winner, BOTY Italy 2011
  Slam Fam & Over Boys Winner, BOTY Middle East 2011
  BMT & Mafia 13 Winner, BOTY Russia 2011

2010 season

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2010 World Finals results

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Semifinals Finals
      
1   Jinjo W
4   Gamblerz L
  Jinjo W
  Mortal Combat L
3   Mortal Combat W
2   La Smala L

Best Show:   Mortal Combat

Crew List for 2010 World Finals

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Crew Qualification
  Gamblerz Champion, BOTY International 2009
  Jinjo Winner, BOTY Korea 2010
  Mortal Combat Winner, BOTY Japan 2010
  Top Coalition Winner, BOTY Taiwan 2010
  La Smala Winner, BOTY France 2010
  Big Toe (S.I.N.E) Winner, BOTY SEA 2010
  De Klan Winner, BOTY Italy 2010
  2DR Squad Winner, BOTY Switzerland 2010
  Predatorz Winner, BOTY Russia 2010
 /  Team Shmetta Winner, BOTY Benelux 2010
  PRODIGY Winner, BOTY South East Europe 2010
  Bio All Stars Winner, BOTY Brazil 2010
  Simple System Winner, BOTY Kazakhstan 2010
  Dead Prezz Winner, BOTY Balkans 2010
  Flowjob Winner, BOTY Germany 2010
  Chapin Crew Winner, BOTY Guatemala 2010
  Unstopabullz Winner, BOTY Israel 2010
  Kamikaz Crew Winner, BOTY Algeria 2010
  La Halla King Zoo Winner, BOTY Morocco 2010

2009 season

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For the first time in the Competition's history, a 1 on 1 Tournament was held for b-boys who weren't competing as a part of a crew. The first 1 on 1 Battle of the Year final saw Lilou of Algeria defeat Morris representing the U.S..

2009 World Finals results

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Semifinals Finals
      
1   Gamblerz W
4   Phase-T L
  Gamblerz W
  Top 9 L
3   All Area L
2   Top 9 W

Best Show:   All Area

Crew List for 2009 World Finals

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Crew Qualification
  Top-9 Champion, BOTY International 2008
  Soul Mavericks Winner, BOTY UK 2009
  Phase T Winner, BOTY France 2009
  Prodigy Crew Winner, BOTY SEE 2009
  Breakers Without Fear Winner, BOTY Balkans 2009
  Belarusian B-Boys Winner, BOTY CIS 2009
  Team Shmetta Winner, BOTY Benelux 2009
  Gamblerz 2nd place, BOTY Asia 2009
  Formosa 3rd place, BOTY Asia 2009
  All Area Winner, BOTY Asia 2009
  Myztikal Winner, BOTY Caricom 2009
  Unstopabullz Winner, BOTY Israel 2009
  Octagon Winner, BOTY Scandinavia 2009
  De Klan Winner BOTY Italy 2009
  Funk Fellaz Winner BOTY Germany 2009
  Ubuntu B Boyz Winner BOTY Africa 2009
  Knuckle Head Zoo Invited Directly
  Ghost Rockz Winner BOTY Switzerland 2009
  Amazon B Boyz Winner BOTY Brazil 2009

2008 season

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2008 World Finals results

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Semifinals Finals
      
1   T.I.P. W
4   Formosa L
  T.I.P. L
  Top 9 W
3   Top 9 W
2   Smokémon L

Best Show:   Top 9

Crew List for 2008 World Finals

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This list is in chronological order by date qualified.

Crew Qualification
  Extreme Crew Champion, BOTY International 2007
  Bad Taste Cru Winner, BOTY UK 2008
  Groove Kingz Winner, BOTY Benelux 2008
  Smokemon Winner, BOTY France 2008
  Dead Prezz Winner, BOTY Balkans 2008
  Crazy Twisting Tribal Team Winner, BOTY South East Europe 2008
  Top 9 Winner, BOTY Russia 2008
  La Halla King Zoo Winner, BOTY West Africa 2008
  T.I.P. Winner, BOTY Asia 2008
  Formosa 2nd place, BOTY Asia 2008
  Kaiten Ninja 3rd place, BOTY Asia 2008
  Now or Never Winner, BOTY Canada 2008
  Unstopabulls Winner, BOTY Israel 2008
  Ghost Rockz Winner, BOTY Switzerland 2008
  Tsunami Allstars Winner, BOTY Brazil 2008
  TNT Crew Winner, BOTY Germany 2008
  Octagon Winner, BOTY Scandinavia 2008
  Fallen Angels Crew Winner, BOTY Iberica 2008
  Furious Soldiers Winner, BOTY USA 2008

2007 season

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2007 World Finals results

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Semifinals Finals
      
1   Legiteam Obstruktion L
4   Extreme Crew W
  Extreme Crew W
  Turn Phrase Crew L
3   Turn Phrase Crew W
2   Funk Fellaz L

Best Show:   Turn Phrase Crew

Crew List for 2007 World Finals

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This list is in chronological order by date qualified. Preliminaries that have not occurred yet have a colored background.

Crew Qualification
  Hoochen Winner, BOTY Benelux 2007
  Sick 7 Winner, BOTY South East Europe 2007
  Plastic Def Squad Winner, BOTY Balkans 2007
  Legiteam Obstruktion Winner, BOTY France 2007
  Rapid Soul Moves Winner, BOTY Italy 2007
  Fallen Angels Crew Winner, BOTY Iberica 2007
  Extreme (Obo Wang) Crew Winner, BOTY Asia 2007
  Turn Phrase Crew 2nd place, BOTY Asia 2007
  Ground Scatter Crew 3rd place, BOTY Asia 2007
  Breakerholics Winner, BOTY Israel 2007
  Ultimate Desperados Winner, BOTY Scandinavia 2007
  Funk Fellaz Winner, BOTY Germany 2007
  Ruff'n'X Crew Winner, BOTY Switzerland 2007
  DF Zulu Breakers Winner, BOTY Brazil 2007
  Vagabonds (withdrew) Champion, BOTY International 2006
  Last Minute Crew (withdrew) Winner, BOTY South Africa 2007

2006 season

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2006 World Finals results

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Semifinals Finals
      
1   Vagabonds W
4   Drifterz L
  Vagabonds W
  Last For One L
3   Last For One W
2   B-Town Allstars L

Best Show:   Vagabonds

Crew List for 2006 World Finals

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Crew Qualification
  Last For One Champion, BOTY International 2005
  Vagabonds Winner, BOTY Asia 2006
  Electric Force Crew Winner, BOTY Balkans 2006
  Octagon Winner, BOTY Scandinavia 2006
  Top 9 Winner, BOTY Russia 2006
  Moving Shadows Winner, BOTY South East Europe 2006
  Ormus Force Winner, BOTY Italy 2006
  Camelot Winner, BOTY North East Europe 2006
  Mortal Combat Winner, BOTY Japan 2006
  Fallen Angels Winner, BOTY Iberica 2006
  Lions of Zion Winner, BOTY Israel 2006
  STO Winner, BOTY China 2006
  Knuckle Head Zoo Winner, BOTY USA 2006
  Ground Scatter Crew Winner, BOTY South East Asia 2006
  Ubuntu Winner, BOTY South Africa 2006
  HRC Winner, BOTY Taiwan 2006
  B-Town Allstars Winner, BOTY Germany 2006
  Ruff'n'X Crew Winner, BOTY Switzerland 2006
  Drifterz Crew Winner, BOTY Korea 2006
  Floor Burning Winner, BOTY Benelux 2006

Series Format

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World Finals Format

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The format comprises firstly a showcase round in which all crews perform a routine of no more than six minutes in length demonstrating their ability in the different styles of breakdance. Judges rank all competing crews by evaluating certain criteria based on the shows.

Following the showcase round, the top four crews are selected to take part in a crew-vs-crew battle playoff. In the semifinals, the top-ranked crew battles the 4th-ranked crew and the 2nd-ranked crew battles the 3rd-ranked crew. The winner of each semifinal then battle each other for the championship.

An award, "Best Show", is also given to the crew that had the best-scoring showcase.

Scoring Criteria

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Judges evaluate the showcase round on two main elements, artistry and technicality, each of which includes several criteria. The artistry element includes theme, music, synchronicity, and choreography, among others. The technicality element includes toprock, uprock, footwork, and power moves, among others.[5]

Qualification and Preliminaries

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The champion of the world finals is always invited directly to the following year's world finals to defend their title. All other crews qualify via preliminary tournaments, although historically there have been a few instances of directly-invited crews (usually when there is no preliminary in that crew's region).

Qualification is moving towards a two-step system consisting of individual country preliminaries followed by regional preliminaries. Historically, each country had an individual preliminary and sent one crew to the world finals; however, countries have become more and more regionalized over the years. For example, starting in 2007, there is a new BOTY Asia regional preliminary that will send the top 3 finishers to the world finals; in 2006 and years prior, Asia region countries such as South Korea, Japan, China, and Taiwan had their own preliminaries and sent one crew each to the world finals.

The following is a chart showing the regions and countries in the region, as well as number of crews sent to the world finals, for the 2007 season.

Region Crews Sent Member Countries
BOTY Asia 3   China,   Indonesia,   Japan,   South Korea,   Laos,   Malaysia,   Philippines,   Singapore,   Taiwan,   Thailand,   Vietnam,  India*
BOTY Balkans 1   Albania,   Bosnia and Herzegovina,   Bulgaria,   Cyprus,   Greece,   North Macedonia,   Montenegro,   Romania,   Serbia,   Turkey
BOTY Benelux 1   Belgium,   Luxembourg,   Netherlands
BOTY Iberica 1   Portugal,   Spain
BOTY North East Europe* 0   Belarus,   Estonia,   Latvia,   Lithuania,
BOTY Scandinavia 1   Denmark,   Finland,   Norway,   Sweden; also, BOTY North East Europe member countries are invited to participate*
BOTY South East Europe 1   Austria,   Bosnia,   Croatia,   Hungary,   Slovenia,   Czech Republic,   Poland,   Slovakia

* Winner of BOTY India will participate in BOTY Asia from 2011
* BOTY North East Europe regional preliminary was canceled. On July 10, 2007, it was announced that BOTY North East Europe member countries would be allowed to enter BOTY Scandinavia.[6]
** On September 7, 2007, the BOTY USA 2007 qualifier was announced;[7] however, it was canceled less than one month later.

World Finals Format History

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Prior to 2006, the current championship playoff system was not used. Instead, there were only two battles: two crews would compete for first place, while two other crews would compete for third place. While a "Best Show" award was still granted based on showcase performance, the judges would also rank the crews as to who they thought should participate in the championship battle. This resulted in frequently-occurring situations where the crew that received the "Best Show" award was not even able to compete for the championship, as they were picked for the third place battle instead of the championship battle. Examples include three "Best Show" winners in the final five years under the old format: Break the Funk (2004), Fire Works (2003), and Visual Shock (2001).[8] The change to the playoff system also brought the world finals format into line with some of the qualifier formats, such as the BOTY Korea Preliminary, which has been using the four-crew playoff system for years.

Starting in 2004, a strict 6-minute time limit per crew on the showcase was enforced for the world finals, with scoring penalties assessed for going over time. This was enacted so that the world finals event would finish in a shorter time period. The 6-minute limit was quickly adopted at preliminaries.[9]

In 1990, when the event was known as the International Breakdance Cup,[10] there were only shows and no battles. From 1991-1996, there were battles resulting in a crowned champion, but no "Best Show" award was given.

Media

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An official DVD documenting the event is usually released a few months after the tournament. It is a perennial best seller on breaking and hip-hop media retail web sites.

Several documentaries have been produced based on the competition, including the 2007 feature-length documentary Planet B-Boy. The film premiered at the 2007 TriBeCa Film Festival[11] and was released on DVD on November 11, 2008.

A movie based on this competition, called Battle of the Year, was released on September 20, 2013. The film was directed by Benson Lee, who produced Planet B-Boy, and featured famous artist Chris Brown in the primary role.[12]

On occasion with the annual competition, a CD/LP titled "The Official Battle Of The Year Motion Soundtrack" is released since 1998.[13] It features some of the leading B-Boy Funk artists such as Mr. Confuse, Cosmic EFI, DJ Nas'D, Esone, Def Cut, Cutmaster GB, and DJ Phantom. The cover artwork is drawn by Graffiti artist Mode 2.[14]

References

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  1. ^ Hong 10: B-Boy Champion Archived November 1, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved August 21, 2007
  2. ^ Planet B-Boy Plot Summary, Retrieved August 21, 2007
  3. ^ Chang, Jeff. "It's a Hip-Hop World". Foreign Policy (November/December 2007): 58–65. "Hip-hop events such as the Battle of the Year create spaces for a globalization from the bottom, bringing people together across the barriers of geography, language, and race."
  4. ^ "Battle of the Year 2012 World Finals - Judges announced, new battle format introduced - All Street Dance". Archived from the original on 2012-11-12. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  5. ^ Judge POEONE (Stylelements) Post on Scoring Criteria on BBoyWorld.com forums Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved August 21, 2007
  6. ^ Battle of the Year Official Site - News, Retrieved August 22, 2007
  7. ^ BOTY USA 2007 Announcement Archived November 1, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, BBoyWorld.Com, Retrieved September 12, 2007
  8. ^ BOTY Official Website: Past Events Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved August 21, 2007
  9. ^ Breakdance battle Archived September 21, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved August 21, 2007
  10. ^ DJ Junk. "Junk's breaking- a history of John (Junk) from Second To None and the Second To None Crew". DJ Junk. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  11. ^ Planet B-Boy (Tribeca Film Festival Official Website), Retrieved August 21, 2007
  12. ^ "Battle of the Year". IMDb.
  13. ^ "Battle of the year Musik | Discogs". Discogs.
  14. ^ "Drawings".
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