Battle_of_the_Year

Battle of the Year

Battle of the Year

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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

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.

More information Year, First place ...

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

More information Year, First place ...

Past Battle of the Year Solo Champions results

More information Year, Winner ...

Past Battle of the Year Bgirl Champions*

More information Year, Winners ...
  • 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

2016 World Finals results

First RoundSemifinalsFinals
1France Melting ForceW
6China STOL5Belarus KienjuiceL
5Belarus KienjuiceW1France Melting ForceL
2Japan FlooriorzW
2Japan The FlooriorzW
4Taiwan Taoyuan City Top CoalitionL3Japan Body CarnivalL
3Japan Body CarnivalW

Best Show: France Melting Force

2016 International 1 on 1 Battle results

 
Round of 16Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
 
 
 
Portugal Bruce Almighty W
 
 
 
Belarus Inside L
 
Portugal Bruce Almighty W
 
 
 
Brazil Fernandinho L
 
Brazil Fernandinho W
 
 
 
Italy Elia L
 
Portugal Bruce Almighty W
 
 
 
Israel Poter L
 
Israel Poter W
 
 
 
Netherlands Kid Colombia L
 
Israel Poter W
 
 
 
Japan Ayumi L
 
Japan Ayumi W
 
 
 
Greece Zoob L
 
Portugal Bruce Almighty W
 
 
 
France Nasso L
 
France Nasso W
 
 
 
Germany Aleks L
 
France Nasso W
 
 
 
Morocco Lil Zoo L
 
Morocco Lil Zoo W
 
 
 
Belgium Admiracles L
 
France Nasso W
 
 
 
Japan Taisuke L Third place
 
Japan Taisuke W
 
  
 
United Kingdom Spin L
 
Japan Taisuke W  
 
 
 
France Pac Pac L  
 
France Pac Pac W
 
 
New Zealand Akorn L
 

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

2015 season

2015 World Finals results

First RoundSemifinalsFinals
1Spain Doble KOL
4South Korea MB CrewL5Belarus KienjuiceW
5Belarus KienjuiceW5Belarus KienjuiceL
2Japan The FlooriorzW
2Japan The FlooriorzW
3Taiwan U-TaipeiW3Taiwan U-TaipeiL
6Brazil MOS CrewL

Best Show: Spain Doble KO

2015 International 1 on 1 Battle results

 
Round of 16Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
 
 
 
Netherlands Menno W
 
 
 
Brazil Rafastil L
 
Netherlands Menno W
 
 
 
Japan Shigekix L
 
Japan Shigekix W
 
 
 
Belgium Lawson L
 
Netherlands Menno W
 
 
 
United Kingdom Sunni L
 
United Kingdom Sunni W
 
 
 
Italy Kacyo L
 
United Kingdom Sunni W
 
 
 
United States El Niño L
 
United States El Niño W
 
 
 
Taiwan Taower L
 
Netherlands Menno W
 
 
 
Russia Alkolil L
 
Russia Alkolil W
 
 
 
New Zealand Akorn L
 
Russia Alkolil W
 
 
 
United States Victor L
 
United States Victor W
 
 
 
Portugal Lagaet L
 
Russia Alkolil W
 
 
 
Canada Fleau L Third place
 
Canada Fleau W
 
  
 
Greece Onel L
 
Canada Fleau W  
 
 
 
Israel Poter L  
 
Israel Poter W
 
 
France Dany L
 

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

2014 season

2014 World Finals results

First RoundSemifinalsFinals
1South Korea Fusion MCW
4France InfamousL5Japan Body CarnivalL
5Japan Body CarnivalW1South Korea Fusion MCL
2Russia PredatorzW
2Russia PredatorzW
3Netherlands RuggedsL6Vietnam S.I.N.E. CrewL
6Vietnam S.I.N.E. CrewW

Best Show: South Korea Fusion MC

Crew List for 2014 World Finals

More information Crew, Qualification ...

2014 International 1 on 1 Battle results

 
Round of 16Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
 
 
 
United States Gravity W
 
 
 
New Zealand Hugga L
 
United States Gravity L
 
 
 
Russia Alkolil W
 
Russia Alkolil W
 
 
 
Italy Kacyo L
 
Russia Alkolil W
 
 
 
Japan Kazuki Roc L
 
Japan Kazuki Roc W
 
 
 
Russia Ziprock L
 
Japan Kazuki Roc W
 
 
 
Netherlands Kid Columbia L
 
Netherlands Kid Columbia W
 
 
 
Brazil Rafastil L
 
Russia Alkolil W
 
 
 
Poland Kleju L
 
France Noe L
 
 
 
Belgium TRock W
 
Belgium TRock L
 
 
 
South Africa Benny W
 
South Africa Benny W
 
 
 
Greece Onel L
 
South Africa Benny L
 
 
 
Poland Kleju W Third place
 
Poland Kleju W
 
  
 
Venezuela Mini Joe L
 
Poland Kleju W  
 
 
 
Morocco Lil Zoo L  
 
Morocco Lil Zoo W
 
 
France Khalil L
 

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

2013 season

2013 World Finals results

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
1Germany B-Town All StarsL
3South Korea Fusion MCW0South Korea Fusion MCW
6Venezuela Vino TintoLSouth Korea Fusion MCW
Netherlands The RuggedsL
2Japan The FloorriorzL
4Netherlands The RuggedsW0Netherlands The RuggedsW
5Taiwan KGB TC UnitedL

Best Show: Japan The Floorriorz

Crew List for 2013 World Finals

More information Crew, Qualification ...

2013 International 1 on 1 Battle results

 
Round of 16Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
 
 
 
South Korea Pocket W
 
 
 
Italy Mat L
 
South Korea Pocket L
 
 
 
Japan Issei W
 
Japan Issei W
 
 
 
Israel Hulk L
 
Japan Issei L
 
 
 
Netherlands Menno W
 
France Tonio L
 
 
 
Netherlands Menno W
 
Netherlands Menno W
 
 
 
Japan Nori L
 
Japan Nori W
 
 
 
Morocco Lil Zoo L
 
Netherlands Menno W
 
 
 
United States Thesis L
 
Bulgaria Slav L
 
 
 
United States Thesis W
 
United States Thesis W
 
 
 
South Korea Wing L
 
South Korea Wing W
 
 
 
Russia Bootuz L
 
United States Thesis W
 
 
 
Venezuela Lil G L Third place
 
Venezuela Lil G W
 
  
 
Belgium Titris L
 
Venezuela Lil G W  
 
 
 
Ukraine Robin L  
 
Austria Cherry L
 
 
Ukraine Robin W
 

2012 season

2012 World Finals results

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
1Japan FloorriorzW
3South Korea Morning of OwlW0South Korea Morning of OwlL
6Taiwan FormosaLJapan FloorriorzL
France Vagabond CrewW
2France Vagabond CrewW
4Italy De KlanL0France Pockemon CrewL
5France Pockemon CrewW

Best Show: France Vagabond Crew

Crew List for 2012 World Finals

More information Crew, Qualification ...

kamikaz crew Algeria

2011 season

2011 World Finals results

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

Best Show: France Vagabonds

Crew List for 2011 World Finals

More information Crew, Qualification ...

2010 season

2010 World Finals results

Semifinals Finals
      
1 South Korea Jinjo W
4 South Korea Gamblerz L
South Korea Jinjo W
Japan Mortal Combat L
3 Japan Mortal Combat W
2 France La Smala L

Best Show: Japan Mortal Combat

Crew List for 2010 World Finals

More information Crew, Qualification ...

2009 season

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

Semifinals Finals
      
1 South Korea Gamblerz W
4 France Phase-T L
South Korea Gamblerz W
Russia Top 9 L
3 Japan All Area L
2 Russia Top 9 W

Best Show: Japan All Area

Crew List for 2009 World Finals

More information Crew, Qualification ...

2008 season

2008 World Finals results

Semifinals Finals
      
1 South Korea T.I.P. W
4 Taiwan Formosa L
South Korea T.I.P. L
Russia Top 9 W
3 Russia Top 9 W
2 France Smokémon L

Best Show: Russia Top 9

Crew List for 2008 World Finals

This list is in chronological order by date qualified.

More information Crew, Qualification ...

2007 season

2007 World Finals results

Semifinals Finals
      
1 France Legiteam Obstruktion L
4 South Korea Extreme Crew W
South Korea Extreme Crew W
Japan Turn Phrase Crew L
3 Japan Turn Phrase Crew W
2 Germany Funk Fellaz L

Best Show: Japan Turn Phrase Crew

Crew List for 2007 World Finals

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

More information Crew, Qualification ...

2006 season

2006 World Finals results

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

Best Show: France Vagabonds

Crew List for 2006 World Finals

More information Crew, Qualification ...

Series Format

World Finals Format

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

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

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.

More information Region, Crews Sent ...

* 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

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

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

  1. [1]
    Hong 10: B-Boy Champion Archived November 1, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved August 21, 2007
  2. [2]
    Planet B-Boy Plot Summary, Retrieved August 21, 2007
  3. [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. [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. [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. [6]
    Battle of the Year Official Site - News, Retrieved August 22, 2007
  7. [7]
    BOTY USA 2007 Announcement Archived November 1, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, BBoyWorld.Com, Retrieved September 12, 2007
  8. [8]
    BOTY Official Website: Past Events Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved August 21, 2007
  9. [9]
    Breakdance battle Archived September 21, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved August 21, 2007
  10. [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. [11]
    Planet B-Boy (Tribeca Film Festival Official Website), Retrieved August 21, 2007
  12. [12]
    "Battle of the Year". IMDb.
  13. [13]
    "Battle of the year Musik | Discogs". Discogs.
  14. [14]
    "Drawings".
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